MASC Company Profile | Ex Equipment Testing & Certification
The MASC company profile provides an overview of Mining and Surface Certification (Pty) Ltd and the services available through the MASC group. Established in 2008 and based in Centurion, South Africa, MASC helps businesses test, assess and certify equipment used in mining, hazardous locations and other industrial environments. The profile explains the group’s national and international services, accreditations, training and scope of testing.
Testing and certification in South Africa
MASC operates a SANAS-accredited test laboratory for explosion-protected and other industrial products. Its work includes testing equipment against applicable standards, assessing product designs and issuing South African IA certificates for qualifying explosion-protected equipment. MASC also offers batch testing, certificate conversions, loop approvals and recertification of expired Ex equipment.
The laboratory has dedicated testing areas for explosion protection, gas detectors, cap lamps, luminaires, rubber products, ingress protection, electrical testing and environmental endurance testing. This range of facilities allows clients to address different technical requirements with one experienced team.
Certification is only one part of the process. MASC also conducts on-site inspections of mine machines, installations, skids and repairs. Its hazardous area classification services cover risks associated with gases, vapours and dust, with drawings and reports prepared according to relevant standards and requirements.
Product and management system certification
The MASC Markscheme is a SANAS-accredited product certification scheme. It covers product certification within its accredited scope, together with audits and permits that help demonstrate ongoing conformity. Regular surveillance forms part of the scheme, so certification considers how a product continues to be manufactured or managed after its initial assessment.
The group’s MASC ISO division provides independent management system audits and certification services for quality, environmental management, and occupational health and safety. These relate to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 respectively. Its auditors draw on the group’s experience in mining, explosion protection and hazardous locations when assessing how management systems work in practice.
Together, these services give clients a route to assess both a product and the systems used to produce or maintain it. The company profile gives a fuller explanation of each certification process and the sectors served.
International IECEx services through ICS
International Ex Certification Services (ICS) provides the group’s international explosion protection certification services. ICS is an IECEx approved Certification Body and Test Laboratory for the IECEx Equipment Scheme. It is also approved for the IECEx Certified Service Facility Scheme, which covers facilities involved in the repair, overhaul and reclamation of Ex equipment.
Its services include IECEx equipment and component certification, test reports, quality assessment reports for manufacturers, and facility assessment reports for service providers. ICS can also support clients exploring other international approval routes, including ATEX, UKEx and ANZEx.
MASC’s South African certification services and ICS’s IECEx services have distinct purposes. The appropriate route depends on the equipment, the applicable requirements and the markets in which a client intends to operate.
Practical support and training
Technical standards can be difficult to apply during product development or certification preparation. MASC offers a separate certification support function to help clients understand requirements, documentation, drawings and certification processes. This function is delivered independently of testing and certification to maintain impartiality.
MASC also offers practical training in intrinsic safety, hazardous locations and flameproof equipment. Courses address topics such as design, manufacture, repair, installation, inspection and maintenance. Training can take place at MASC or at a client’s premises, with courses tailored to a team’s needs.
Download the MASC company profile
The full MASC company profile includes more detail on the group’s services, approvals, certification schemes, and testing scope. Download the PDF to review the information and identify the right team to contact about your requirements.
Explore our full capabilities, accreditations and scope of services: Download the MASC company profile (PDF)