Recent updates to the international 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 definition of the role, and its responsibilities, have been clarified and expanded and what those working with a repair specialist should be aware of.
For many organisations that work with electromechanical repair specialists on equipment used in hazardous areas, the role of responsible person (RP) at the repair 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 it, clarifies it, and, importantly, places far greater weight on it. The result is a shift that end-users working with a specialist repairer should clearly understand, as it is the end-user who is ultimately responsible for ensuring equipment is safe, maintained, and compliant.
From a lightly defined role to a central one
Historically, the responsible person 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 position. The responsible person is now referenced more frequently and in more detail throughout the document, with responsibilities defined across multiple sections rather than 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 job title. The RP must be able to:
• agree the scope of work with the end-user
• approve or reject repair methods
• make decisions when work changes during the repair process
• ensure that all procedures comply with the standard
• be part of internal audits
• review quality management systems
• 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 optional.
For many repair specialists, this may require a rethink. If they assign the role to someone without decision-making authority, it will not meet the requirement.
Technical understanding is essential
At the same time, the revised standard clarifies that the responsible person cannot be purely administrative.
The requirement for competence at ‘craftsperson level’ means the RP must understand the work being carried out. They do not necessarily need to carry out every repair themselves, but they must be able to:
• understand repair procedures
• interpret measurements and test results
• assess whether work has been completed correctly
In simple terms, if someone cannot understand the job, they cannot be responsible for it.
This has clear implications for businesses that may previously have nominated office-based or non-technical managers as the RP. Under the updated standard, that approach is unlikely to be acceptable unless those individuals can demonstrate the required technical knowledge.
Responsibility now covers the full repair process
Another area which has been expanded is the extent of responsibility. The RP is no longer linked to isolated tasks or sign-off points. Instead, they are accountable across the entire repair process. So, the following areas of responsibility have been added, reinforcing the requirement for the RP to be at craftsperson level and within the management structure:
• agreeing the work scope at the outset
• approving repair techniques and any changes
• overseeing inspection and testing
• reviewing and verifying documentation
• supervising operatives
• participating in audits and quality management processes
The standard also makes clear that all operatives must be monitored and supervised by the responsible person. This reinforces that the RP must be closely connected to workshop activity, not removed from it.
No responsible person means no release of work
A particularly important operational point is that work must not be released without a responsible person in place.
The standard allows for short-term cover, including across multiple sites, but only as a temporary measure and only if a common QMS is used across the sites. If no RP is available, the work cannot be signed off.
Competence must be evidenced, not assumed
The updated approach also places greater emphasis on evidence. It is no longer enough to assume that someone is competent. Repair specialists must be able to demonstrate it.
In practice, this means:
• maintaining training records and matrices
• providing evidence of relevant training, such as AEMT courses
• ensuring knowledge is kept up to date
This is not only about satisfying auditors. It also forms part of a repair specialist’s defence if something goes wrong. Being able to demonstrate that the RP and any operatives involved were properly trained and competent is critical.
A shift towards accountability
While the term ‘responsible person’ has been part of the standard for some time, the latest update makes its intent far clearer. The role is now about real accountability, backed by authority, competence, and evidence.
