United States of America

In the US, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)) and its branch NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/)) develop standards

The central respiratory standard published and maintained by NIOSH is “42 CFR Part 84 Respiratory Protective Devices” (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/pt84abs2.html)

Recent Standards

ASTM International has announced the publication of ASTM F3407-20 Standard Test Method for Respirator Fit Capability (RFC) for Negative-Pressure Half-Facepiece Particulate Respirators. This standard may enable respirator manufacturers to design and develop better fitting air-purifying particulate only respirators, including filtering facepiece respirators.  Better designed models that demonstrate fitting the worker population can result in lower costs to occupational respiratory protection programs. Purchasers of particulate only respirators may be able to reference ASTM F3407 in their procurement packages to ensure receiving respirators with preferable fitting characteristics. Conformity assessment program scheme owners, such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), may be able to adopt and use the RFC standard. Check out the ASTM news release to learn more information!