New European Union Directives and especially Atex 100a (Directive 94/9/EG) focus on the requirements that have been set for electric and non-electric equipment and components in explosion-hazardous environments. Those standards also apply to drive motors whose certification under the new Directive cannot be completed due to the lack of expert knowledge. This article shows how the Atex 100a specifications are met through explosion-proof design of electric motors and drives.