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Part 6- Testing and Evaluation by Independent Laboratories and
Non-MSHA Product Safety Standards

Single Source Page

MSHA promulgated a new regulation in June 2003 under 30 CFR Part 6 titled "Testing and Evaluation by Independent Laboratories and Non-MSHA Product Safety Standards".

This regulation included two main components:

  1. It permits MSHA to accept testing and evaluation by independent laboratories in lieu of MSHA performing their own testing and evaluation.

  2. It permits MSHA to approve mining products designed to non-MSHA product safety standards provided MSHA determines that the standard(s) provides at least the same degree of protection as MSHA requirements or can be modified to provide at least the same degree of protection.

This page is a single source page for all documents and resources related to this new rule to further assist potential applicants in taking full advantage of the new regulation.

Rules and Regulations

  • 06-4391 - Evaluation of International Electrotechnical Commission's Standards for Explosion-Proof Enclosures

  • 30 CFR Part 6 - Testing and Evaluation by Independent Laboratories and Non-MSHA Product Safety Standards

  • Federal Register notice of intent to review international (IEC) standards for equivalency to MSHA's product approval requirements

     

  • Comments Received on Proposed Rule 30 CFR Part 6 - Testing and Evaluation by Independent Laboratories and Non-MSHA Product Safety Standards

     

  • Comments Received on Federal Register notice of intent to review international (IEC) standards for equivalency to MSHA's product approval requirements

     

    • Compliance Assistance Materials

  • Compliance Guide
    A Guide to Part 6- Testing and Evaluation by Independent Laboratories and Non-MSHA Product Safety Standards
  • Processing MSHA Part 6 Applications for MSHA Applicants and Independent Laboratories (ASOP2024)
    Procedures for MSHA applicants and independent laboratories to follow when having products evaluated to the MSHA requirements under 30 CFR Part 6.
  • List of Independent Laboratories
    A list of independent laboratories that have tested equipment under the concepts of Part 6.
  • Powerpoint Presentations
    Powerpoint presentations that were given at the Approval and Certification Center during a Part 6 Workshop on September 9, 2004.
  • Report of Investigation
    Part 6 Equivalency Review and Comparison: MSHA and IEC Explosion-proof Enclosure Standards

    • Contacts

    For General Part 6 Information:

    David Chirdon, (304) 547-2026, chirdon.david@dol.gov
    Ken Porter, (304) 547-2030, porter.kenneth@dol.gov

    For information regarding explosion-proof equipment:

    Kenneth Porter, (304) 547-2030, porter.kenneth@dol.gov

    For information regarding intrinsically safe equipment:

    Chad Huntley, (304) 547-2076 huntley.chad@dol.gov