Learn to identify different respirators that have similar performances. The conformity standards compared are:
United States: NIOSH-42CFR84
Europe: EN 149-2001-A1-2009
China: GB2626-2006
AS/NZA: 1716:2012
China: GB 19083 - 2010
Respirators are regulated by different standards in different regions. The standards state the physical properties as well as performance requirements that respirators should meet for conformity. Under emergency situations such as the Covid-19 pandemic, local respirator stocks can quickly run out, requiring the use of respirators conformed to different standards. Under these circumstances authorities may recommend using equivalently specified respirators.
This article compares specifications required under the following standards:
United States: NIOSH-42CFR84
Europe: EN 149-2001-A1-2009
China: GB2626-2006
AS/NZA: 1716:2012
China: GB 19083 - 2010
The following summary tables group similar performance criteria under the different standards. Respirators that meet the standards (and tested for conformity by respected testing bodies) are expected to have similar performances to each other.
One point that may cause confusion is the different flow rates used for both inhalation and exhalation resistance tests. Inhalation test flow rates range from 30L/min to 95L/min. Exhalation test flow rates range from 85L/min to 160L/min. Some standards call for testing under different flow rates, while others only use a fixed flow rates. Although these different specification may seem like they are different in performance, it is important to note the pressure drop will be greater at higher flow rates and vice versa. Based on this understanding, one can reasonably assume that different class respirators with similar filtering properties are also similar in overall performance.
Comparison of KN90, FFP1, and P1 respirators classes
Comparison of KN95, FFP2, P2, and N95 respirators classes
Comparison of KN99, FFP3, P3, N99, and N100 respirators classes
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