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

Single Source Page

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

This regulation includes 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 is a single source page for documents and resources related to this rule to assist potential MSHA Approval applicants in taking full advantage of this regulation.

Rules and Regulations

  • 30 CFR Part 6 - Testing and Evaluation by Independent Laboratories and Non-MSHA Product Safety Standards
  • 06-4391 - Evaluation of International Electrotechnical Commission's Standards for Explosion-Proof Enclosures


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

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    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:

    Kevin Dolinar
    Cheif, Electrical Safety Devision
    A&CC MSHA (304) 547-2014, Dolinar.Kevin@dol.gov

    For information regarding explosion-proof equipment:

    Sarah Dragonetti, (304) 547-2308, Dragonetti.Sarah@dol.gov

    Robert Holubeck, (304) 547-2088, Holubeck.Robert@dol.gov

    For information regarding intrinsically safe equipment:

    Frank J. Prebeg, (304) 547-2023 Prebeg.Frank@dol.gov

    Kevin Hedrick, (304) 547-2018 Hedrick.Kevin@dol.gov