NIOSH-Approved Respiratory Protection: What Does It Mean for You?
You need to know your respiratory protection will perform when it matters most, and that's where NIOSH certification comes in. It’s proof that the product meets rigorous, government-backed standards. Don’t just take our word for it - Avon Protection products are independently tested and certified to keep you safe.
So what exactly does NIOSH approval mean for you?
It means you can have complete confidence that when the situation demands personal protective equipment (PPE), the right Avon Protection gear will help keep you safe.
Sure, we’re biased - we believe Avon Protection respirators deliver top-tier protection. But we’ve taken the extra steps so you can feel confident without relying solely on what we say. Whether you’re building the mask or wearing it in the field, we all share the same goal: getting home safe at the end of the day.
And that's why external approval is so important to us. It's no easy feat to pass the NIOSH standard to get products certified, so third-party assurance means you can trust Avon Protection to protect those we say we will.
Our products face rigorous testing, scrutiny and in-the-field use, before they’ll ever be required in a life-saving position. Here are some of the things our respirators face before you can get your hands on them:
NIOSH Respirator Testing
1. Filtration Efficiency
· Particulate Filters (e.g. P100) are tested for their ability to filter out airborne particles.
· They must meet minimum filtration thresholds (e.g. 99.97% for P100).
2. Breathing Resistance
· Inhalation and exhalation resistance is measured to ensure the respirator doesn’t overly restrict airflow.
· They must remain within acceptable limits to prevent fatigue or breathing difficulty.
3. Fit and Seal Integrity
· Evaluated for how well the respirator seals to the face to prevent leakage.
· This includes quantitative fit testing and facepiece leakage assessments.
4. Durability and Environmental Resistance
· Tested under conditions simulating heat, cold, humidity, and rough handling.
· This includes impact resistance, strap strength, and material integrity.
5. Chemical Resistance for CBRN respirators
· CBRN-rated respirators undergo testing against chemical warfare agents (e.g. Sarin and Mustard Gas).
· They must maintain performance after exposure to harsh chemicals.
6. Communication and Visibility
· For full-face respirators, lens clarity, field of view, and voice transmission are assessed.
The above is not an exhaustive list of testing a respirator faces to achieve NIOSH approval, but it does provide some insight for peace of mind. In addition to standard tests faced by all products, further testing may be conducted on specific models or components to verify claims or address unique design features. Learn more about NIOSH’s Respirator Approval Program.
Image credit: CE logo, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
You may have also heard of the CE Standard:
In the European Union, respirators would need to be tested for CE approval. To achieve this, the product must comply with the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and pass a series of standardized tests conducted by a Notified Body. These tests ensure the respirator meets essential health and safety requirements.
To gain a CE marking, a respirator would be subjected to similar testing outlined in the NIOSH testing process. Click here for more details on CE approval.