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Standard Respirator Testing Procedures

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Each respirator submitted to NIOSH for approval must meet the applicable requirements outlined in 42 CFR Part 84. Submissions must contain data that demonstrates each respirator under evaluation meets or exceeds the performance requirements. Once approved, NIOSH approval holders must continue to follow the strict quality assurance requirements specified in Subpart E. Quality control plans ensure the material and performance level of approved products continue to meet NIOSH’s requirements.

To verify respirators provide the expected level of protection for users, NIOSH uses Standard Testing Procedures. Below are the Standard Testing Procedures NIOSH uses to evaluate respirators as appropriate by the type of respirator. Accordingly, some procedures may appear in more than one category.

Standard Testing Procedures
Scope of Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025

The NIOSH Respirator Approval Program is actively implementing accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, with several NIOSH Standard Testing Procedures currently added to the accreditation scope. The NPPTL Pittsburgh Evaluation and Testing Branch (ETB) location achieved its initial scope of accreditation in 2017, where the accreditation scope and certificate can be found on the A2LA website.

The NPPTL Morgantown ETB location achieved its initial scope in 2020, where the accreditation scope and certificate can be found on the A2LA website.

Reference Information

Respiratory Protective Devices, 42 CFR Part 84
Includes test requirements respirators must meet in order to be approved by NIOSH.