40 n MAINTENANCE, SERVICE AND REPAIRS September 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com What has changed for the ‘responsible person’? For many organisations that work with electromechanical repairs specialists on equipment used in hazardous areas, the role of “responsible person” (RP) at the specialist is not new. It has been part of IEC 60079-19 – the international standard governing the repair, overhaul and reclamation of Ex Equipment (protected equipment) used in hazardous areas where explosive atmospheres pose a risk – for some time, and, for many, it has been interpreted largely through Annex B and audit expectations. However, the latest 2025 update to the standard does not simply reference the role again. It expands and clarifies it, placing far greater weight on it. The result is a shift that end-users working with repairers should clearly understand, as it is the end-user who is ultimately responsible for ensuring equipment is safe, maintained and compliant. Historically, the RP has often been treated as a requirement that needed to be filled, with relatively limited detail on what that actually meant in day-to-day practice. Much of the interpretation came from Annex B, which outlined competence expectations, but did not fully describe the scope of responsibility. The updated standard changes that. The responsible person is now referenced more frequently and in more detail throughout the document, with responsibilities defined across multiple sections, rather than being confined to a single annex. In practical terms, this means the RP is much more clearly defined as a central figure in ensuring that repair work is carried out correctly, safely and in line with the standard. Authority is no longer implied – it is required One of the most important clarifications is around authority. The standard now makes it much clearer that the responsible person must sit within the management organisation and have the authority to make decisions. This is not simply a matter of a job title. The RP must be able to: n agree the scope of work with the enduser; n approve or reject repair methods; n make decisions when work changes during the repair process; n ensure that all procedures comply with the standard; n be part of internal audits; n review quality management systems; and n oversee operatives’ work. The use of the word “shall” in the standard is deliberate. It removes any ambiguity. The responsible person must have this authority; it is not an option. For many repairs specialists, this may require a rethink in the way they operate. If they assign the role to someone without decision-making authority, it will not meet the requirement. The role of “responsible person” has been updated in the standard governing the repair, overhaul, and reclamation of equipment used in hazardous areas Recent updates to the standard governing the repair, overhaul, and reclamation of equipment used in hazardous areas have seen notable updates to the “responsible person” role – placing much more responsibility on the function. Karl Metcalfe, technical support at the Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades, explains how the role and its responsibilities have been clarified and expanded, and what those working with repairs specialists need to be aware of.
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