Canada: rules and approvals
Canada also accepts field certification for custom-made or low-volume equipment, evaluated at the installation site, which is similar to unit verification under the IECEx and ATEX systems.
Canada · NEC 500 Class I Division 1
NEC 500 Class I Division 1 Smartphone Supplier in Canada
The IS-04Z1 is an Ex phone for people working inside classified areas at Canadian oil sands plants, gas plants, refineries and offshore platforms. Buyers searching for an NEC 500 Class I Division 1 smartphone supplier for Canada can take the datasheet and the certification schedule for the IS-04Z1 now; supply follows certification.
Pre-launch · certification in progress · Launching Q4 2026
Marking targetEx ib IIC T4Intrinsic safety, Zone 1 / 21 design target · certification in progress
AvailabilityQ4 2026via authorised distributors
Search topicNEC 500 Class I Division 1
DeviceSmartphone
RouteSupply
WhereCanada
Short answer. An NEC 500 Class I Division 1 smartphone for Canada cannot be bought yet: the SAMS IS-04Z1 is pre-launch (certification in progress, no certificate issued), and the datasheet, certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
Current position: certification in progress, nothing issued, launch targeted for Q4 2026. Operator approval runs on its own timeline. Certification status. Place facts reviewed October 2026.
At a glance · NEC 500 Class I Division 1
Checklist: NEC 500 Class I Division 1 smartphone for Canada
| Check | What to look for | IS-04Z1 today |
|---|---|---|
| Location class | Class I, Division 1 (gas and vapour) | Part of the certification programme |
| Listing | Listing by a nationally recognised testing laboratory | In progress; not issued |
| Group | Gas groups A to D | Group listing to be confirmed |
| Where it applies | Canada: Sarnia Chemical Valley, Kitimat and the north coast, Athabasca oil sands | Classified by the site operator |
Product · Canada
The product behind this search: the SAMS IS-04Z1.
SAMS IS-04Z1
An intrinsically safe Android smartphone designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 hazardous areas in Canada. It is pre-launch: IECEx, ATEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress ahead of the Q4 2026 launch.
- IP68 sealed
- 4,000 mAh battery
- 50 MP camera
- Android 16
- Zone 1 / Zone 21 design target
The market · Canada
Where an Ex phone is used in Canada
Operators and classified areas drawn from the SAMS Canada market guide.
Operators, EPCs and contractors
- Suncor Energy
- Base Plant, Fort Hills, Sarnia and Edmonton refining
- Cenovus Energy
- Foster Creek, Christina Lake, Lloydminster, offshore Atlantic
- Imperial Oil
- Kearl and Cold Lake, Strathcona and Sarnia refineries
- Canadian Natural Resources
- Horizon and Albian mining, Jackfish and Primrose thermal
- Syncrude
- Mildred Lake mining and upgrading, operated by Suncor
- Shell Canada
- Scotford upgrader, refinery and chemicals in the Heartland
Industrial areas and sites
- Athabasca oil sands
- Fort McMurray mines, upgraders and in situ plants
- Cold Lake and the Lakeland
- Thermal in situ pads and steam generation
- Alberta Industrial Heartland
- Fort Saskatchewan, Scotford and Redwater refining and chemicals
- Montney and Duvernay
- Gas plants around Grande Prairie and Fort St John
- Sarnia Chemical Valley
- Three refineries and dozens of chemical plants
- Kitimat and the north coast
- LNG Canada trains and jetty, Cedar LNG building
Field notes · Canada
More about Canada that matters for portable equipment
Canada: rules and approvals
Hazardous locations in Canada fall under Section 18 of the Canadian Electrical Code Part I, which uses the Zone system, while the older Class and Division rules are kept in Annex J for existing installations.
Canada: industry on the ground
The Athabasca oil sands in Alberta hold bitumen so viscous that it will not flow unless heated or diluted with lighter hydrocarbons such as condensate, so diluent and heating systems feature heavily at sites.
Canada: rules and approvals
Electrical products for hazardous locations must be certified by a body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, and IECEx or ATEX certificates are not accepted in place of that certification.
The term · NEC 500 Class I Division 1
What “NEC 500 Class I Division 1” means for a smartphone
North America classifies hazardous locations by Class and Division under the National Electrical Code (NEC 500, with NEC 505 as the zone-based alternative); Canada uses the Canadian Electrical Code. Class I Division 1 is the closest counterpart to Zone 1 for flammable gases and vapours. Equipment must be listed by a nationally recognised testing laboratory.
NEC 500 Class I Division 1 is one of the four routes in the IS-04Z1 certification programme. It is in progress and no listing has been issued.
In Canada. In Canada one operator calls an area Zone 1 IIC while the plant down the road calls it Class I Division 1 Group B, because Section 18 of CSA C22.1 classifies by Zone and Annex J18 keeps the older Division system. The IS-04Z1 has Class I Division 1 as a target on the same intrinsic safety basis, still in progress.
The route · supply
Sourcing the IS-04Z1 for Canada
Supply of the IS-04Z1 to Canada starts only after certification, through authorised distributors. Until then a buyer can request the datasheet and the written certification schedule, and arrange a safe-area evaluation unit, which puts the site on the list for the right local channel at launch.
- 01
Request the datasheet
The technical specification, marking target and conditions of use, sent by email.
- 02
Ask for the certification schedule
Which certificates are in progress, in what order, and what is still to be confirmed.
- 03
Evaluate in a safe area
Evaluation units can be used for connectivity, MDM enrolment and workflow testing outside classified areas.
- 04
Register for launch
Tell us the site, zone, gas group and quantity so the right authorised distributor can contact you.
Questions · Canada
Frequently asked questions
Can we buy an NEC 500 Class I Division 1 smartphone in Canada today?
Not yet. The IS-04Z1 is pre-launch and its certification is still in progress ahead of a Q4 2026 launch. No unit goes into a classified area before the certificate covering it exists. The datasheet, the certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
What does an NEC 500 Class I Division 1 smartphone in Canada cost?
There is no list price yet. SAMS gives indicative pre-launch pricing in writing, against a stated quantity and site, and does not commit to a lead time before certification completes.
Will the IS-04Z1 be listed for Class I Division 1?
NEC 500 Class I Division 1 is part of the certification programme and is in progress. No listing has been issued.
Which sites in Canada does this cover?
The market guide for Canada covers Athabasca oil sands, Cold Lake and the Lakeland, Alberta Industrial Heartland, Montney and Duvernay, among others. Site-level pages are linked below.
How will SAMS supply Canada?
Through authorised distributors once certificates exist. Until then SAMS can send the datasheet and certification schedule and arrange safe-area evaluation units.
What radio approval does a smartphone need in Canada?
Devices with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular radios generally need ISED certification and must meet the applicable Radio Standards Specifications, along with interference limits such as ICES-003. A certification body recognised by ISED can issue it. Confirm the exact requirements for your device with ISED or an accredited body.
Do Canadian sites use Zones or Divisions?
The Canadian Electrical Code now uses Zones in Section 18, while Class and Division rules remain in Annex J for existing installations, so older plants may still be classified by Division. Check the classification drawing for the area and make sure the device marking matches the system used there.
Does the phone carry both Zone and Division markings?
The marking target is II 2 G Ex ib IIC T4, with Class I Division 1 pursued on the same intrinsic safety basis. Nothing has been issued: certification is in progress. Canadian Section 18 classifies by Zone while Annex J18 keeps Division. Check which system your site's drawings use before anything is specified.
Related guides
Keep exploring
Related guides for Canada and for Canada.
Ex-Proof Mobile Phone Supplier in CanadaSame place, different guide
Industrial Mobile Phone Supplier in CanadaSame place, different guide
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone in CanadaSame place, different guide
Explosion-Proof Mobile Phone Supplier in CanadaSame place, different guide
Intrinsically Safe Mobile Phone Supplier in CanadaSame place, different guide
Rugged Mobile Phone in CanadaSame place, different guide
Canada market guideCertification route and regulators
All guides for CanadaEvery route we cover
Certification statusWhat is in progress
Enquiry · Canada
Ask about the IS-04Z1 for Canada
Tell us what you need to equip and where. The SAMS team answers by email with the datasheet and where each certification route stands.
Enquiry · Canada
Launching Q4 2026
Planning for Canada?
Name the site and the operator and we will send what is available before launch.