Explolabs

What Explolabs does

Explolabs is a South African specialist testing and certification company operating in the explosion protection and prevention field, headquartered in Johannesburg (Olifantsfontein) with 18 employees. The company provides type testing, batch testing, and assessment of electrical, electronic, and mechanical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres, covering protection concepts including flameproof (Ex d), intrinsically safe (Ex i), increased safety (Ex e), pressurized (Ex p), and dust-ignition-protected (Ex t) apparatus. Services are anchored by its SANAS-accredited (C124) test laboratory and certification body, EXPLOLABS Certification Services (Pty) Ltd (operating as ExCS), which also runs the proprietary ExCS Product Certification Mark Scheme and the ExCS System Certification Scheme for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 management systems. Additional offerings include hazardous area classification, inspection of in-service Ex equipment, the EXPLOSTOP management system for hazardous area installations, and customized technical training courses.

The company's customer base spans equipment manufacturers, mine and plant operators, equipment repairers, engineering consultants, and contractors across the mining, petroleum, electrical, and general industrial sectors in Southern Africa. Named clients include Actom, Amandla Pumps, Delba Electrical, BMG, Komatsu Mining Division, and petroleum-sector operators such as Petrocall, Petroassist, and Petrotec. Revenue is generated through professional services engagements (testing, certification, training, consulting) plus one-time licensing fees for the ExCS mark, with services delivered via direct sales engagement and quote-based pricing. The company holds D.M.R.E approval, ECB accreditation number 31320, and is the only product certification body with SAIOSH corporate membership, reinforcing its regulatory moat in a legally mandated certification niche. Distribution is sales-led and direct, with marketing supported through a technical website, downloadable articles, and educational videos demonstrating explosion phenomena.

Name

Explolabs

Legal name

Explolabs

Website

https://explolabs.co.za

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Explolabs is a Johannesburg-based specialist testing and certification firm serving manufacturers, mine and plant operators, and repairers across Southern Africa with explosion protection testing, ExCS product certification, hazardous area management, and technical training for explosive atmospheres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Explosion Protection Testing & Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fire Extinguisher Services (Inspection/Recharge/Hydrostatic Testing) (IMAIAJAD)

Keywords

• Explosion protection testing
• Ex equipment certification
• Hazardous area management
• Explosion prevention compliance
• ISO system certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Testing and Certification Services: Type testing, batch testing, and assessment of imported certified apparatus for explosion-protected equipment. Includes certification of locally manufactured products (IA certificates) and imported products.
2. ExCS Certification Mark: Product certification mark for Ex equipment (new or repaired) providing independent verification of compliance with South African and international standards.
3. Training Courses: Technical training courses for equipment suppliers, manufacturers, repairers, plant/factory/mine staff, engineering companies, and contractors. Courses can be customized to specific company needs.
4. Hazardous Area Management Consulting: Area classification services, inspection of new or in-service Ex equipment, evaluation of quality manuals, quality system audits, and consultation on quality systems.
5. System Certification Services: ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001 management system audit and certification services through ExCS.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Explolabs provides independent testing and third-party certification of explosion-protected (Ex) electrical, electronic, and mechanical equipment against SANS and IEC standards, issued under the ExCS Product Certification Mark Scheme. It also delivers ISO 9001/14001/45001 system certification, hazardous area classification, inspection, the EXPLOSTOP installation management system, and customized technical training courses for industrial clients in Southern Africa.

Product overview

Explolabs is a South African testing and certification company offering a portfolio of explosion protection and prevention services. The core offerings include Testing and Certification Services for explosion-protected (Ex) equipment covering electrical, electronic, and mechanical apparatus; the ExCS Product Certification Mark Scheme providing third-party certification; and the ExCS System Certification Scheme for ISO management system certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001). Supporting services include Hazardous Area Management with area classification and EXPLOSTOP management system, and Training Courses for industry professionals. The company operates through its SANAS-accredited laboratory and certification body, serving manufacturers, suppliers, repairers, and plant/mine operators across Southern Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Testing and Certification Services Independent type testing, batch testing, and assessment of imported certified apparatus for explosion-protected (Ex) electrical, electronic, and mechanical equipment, including flameproof (Ex d), intrinsic safety (Ex i), increased safety (Ex e), encapsulation (Ex m), powder-filled (Ex q), oil-filled (Ex o), pressurized (Ex p), non-sparking (Ex nA), dust-ignition-proof (Ex t), and special protection (Ex s) designs. Issues IA certificates for locally manufactured and imported products.
• ExCS Product Certification Mark Scheme Third-party certification scheme for explosion-protected equipment (new or repaired) operating under SANAS accreditation number C124. Provides the ExCS mark indicating products are manufactured under controlled conditions and conform to specified safety standards, recognized by D.M.R.E and ECB (number 31320).
• ExCS System Certification Scheme Management system certification services for ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), delivered under the ExCS certification body and recognized by D.M.R.E.
• Hazardous Area Management Comprehensive service bundle including area classification to determine applicable zones and gas/dust groups, equipment audits, inspection of new or in-service Ex equipment, and the EXPLOSTOP management system. Targeted at mine and plant owners/operators in Southern Africa.
• Training Courses Technical training courses in explosion protection concepts for equipment suppliers, manufacturers, repairers, plant/factory/mine staff, engineering companies, and contractors. Courses can be customized to suit specific company needs.
• Consultation Services Expert consultation on quality systems, quality manuals, in-house and company standards and procedures, and technical guidance for organizations needing support to achieve explosion protection compliance.

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Baseefa (SGS Baseefa): UK-based specialist testing laboratory for explosion-protected equipment, offering ATEX and IECEx certification. Directly comparable as a specialized Ex testing and certification body, though operating in the UK rather than Southern Africa.

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Major international TIC company offering industrial and marine equipment certification, including explosion protection and hazardous area classification. Comparable as a third-party certification body serving industrial clients, though operating at global scale rather than Southern Africa focus.
• DNV: Global assurance and risk management company with industrial equipment certification including hazardous area and explosion protection services. Comparable in third-party certification of industrial equipment, though with broader maritime and energy focus.
• SGS: Global leader in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services including industrial and hazardous area equipment testing. SGS's Industrial Inspection vertical and Ex-related capabilities make it a broad incumbent peer with similar service DNA, though at vastly larger scale and geographic reach.
• CSA Group: Testing and certification organization with hazardous location certification capabilities for North American and international markets. Comparable in Ex certification services, though primarily focused on North American standards.
• DEKRA: Global expert organization in testing, inspection, and certification with significant Ex testing and certification operations. Comparable in Ex equipment certification and hazardous area inspection services, with established international footprint.
• UL Solutions: Global safety certification company providing hazardous location and explosion protection equipment testing and certification. Directly comparable in Ex product certification, though operating at much larger scale and broader scope.
• TÜV SÜD: International testing and certification organization with strong expertise in Ex equipment certification (notified body for ATEX). Directly comparable in offering Ex testing and IECEx certification, though at much larger international scale.
• Intertek: Global TIC provider with hazardous area and explosion protection testing capabilities. Comparable service portfolio including Ex equipment certification and area classification, but operates worldwide with broader industry coverage.
• PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt): Germany's national metrology institute with Ex testing and certification capabilities. Comparable in specialized Ex equipment testing expertise, though operating as a government institute rather than a commercial certification body.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/explolabs

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Explolabs