AFIDAMP presents the Position Paper on the Management of Combustible Dusts: a technical and strategic reference for industrial safety.

A practical and strategic tool for all stakeholders, providing companies with a technical and operational guide.

AFIDAMP organized a webinar, open to all sector operators, in which it officially presented the Position Paper on the Management of Combustible Dusts, the result of the joint work of the Afidamp ATEX Group, which involved member companies, certification bodies, notified bodies, and leading professional firms. A significant milestone made possible thanks to the commitment of members, the role of the association in international working groups, and the consolidated collaboration with organizations and institutions.

The document, drafted in English to ensure international dissemination, represents a complete technical guide to systematically address the risks associated with combustible dusts in the industrial environment.

The position paper analyzes the main regulatory references (EN IEC 60335-2-69, EN 17348, EN IEC 62784), delving into the differences between ATEX-classified environments and non-classified areas, and providing operational guidelines for the design, selection, and maintenance of dust extraction and collection systems, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

During the webinar, moderated by Stefania Verrienti, Executive Director of AFIDAMP, the document was presented by Alessandro Panico and Giovanni Tonelli who, representing the working group, highlighted the need for a shared and harmonized approach among the different players in the supply chain: manufacturers, users, certifiers, consultants, and standardization bodies.

“Safety in the management of combustible dusts is not only a regulatory obligation, but a central element for industrial competitiveness,” stated Alessandro Panico. “With this position paper we want to promote a common language, helping companies to navigate standards, directives, and best practices, even in areas that are not yet fully harmonized.”

The document was designed as a practical and strategic tool for all stakeholders: quality managers, HSE, maintenance, procurement, designers, and plant integrators. The working group also devoted attention to emerging issues, such as the management of hybrid mixtures, neutralization systems for self-igniting dusts, the proper selection of filtration class, and construction recommendations in the case of toxic dusts, flammable gases, or inerting agents. The project was made possible thanks to the collaboration of numerous experts and technical partners, including consultants and certification bodies, as well as several Italian manufacturers from the industrial vacuuming and cleaning sector.

In this way, AFIDAMP reaffirms its commitment on the regulatory and technical front, supporting the evolution of the sector and the culture of safety. The document is available to members in the FORUM area of the AFIDAMP website, while a public version will be distributed to the main European stakeholders in the coming months.