Global explosion protection experts are holding their regular spring meeting in Mannheim this year. From 16–27 March 2026, around 170 leading specialists will gather at the headquarters of the long-established Mannheim-based company Pepperl+Fuchs to work together as a committee on the further development and international harmonization of explosion protection standards. The participants include representatives from manufacturers, market surveillance authorities, testing organizations, and end users from 23 countries.
Defining clear and reliable standards
The standards developed and defined by International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Committee 31 (IEC TC 31) play a key role in ensuring safety in a wide range of environments, from petrol stations and industrial mills to complex chemical plants. This year’s agenda once again addresses highly relevant topics. These include the safe use of robots and drones in hazardous areas, methods for managing ignition risks posed by lithium batteries, and developments in the rapidly emerging hydrogen sector.
"Clear and reliable explosion protection standards are more important than ever in today’s highly automated and increasingly dynamic world. They provide the foundation for safe systems and processes. We look forward to two exciting and productive weeks at our headquarters in Mannheim," commented Dr. Wilhelm Nehring, CEO of the Pepperl+Fuchs Group.
Pepperl+Fuchs is one of the world's leading suppliers of components and solutions for electrical explosion protection. The company has been actively involved for decades in committees and industry associations dedicated to developing and advancing norms and standards in the field of explosion protection.
