The EN 779 test standard for air filters can be with-drawn at any time

Wer kein Risiko eingehen und sich nicht von nationalen Entscheidungen abhängig machen möchte, sollte sich mit der ISO 16890 schnellstens vertraut machen. Freudenberg Filtration Technologies hilft dabei. (Bildquelle: Freudenberg Filtration Technologies )

A formulation error in the cover page of the new ISO 16890 international test standard for the assessment and classification of air filters has created uncertainty and different courses of action among different countries. Originally, the standard introduced at the beginning of 2017 was intended to replace the previous EN 779 with a transitional period of 18 months and was only to have had sole validity from the middle of 2018 onwards. However, due to flawed wording on the part of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), it is now possible for countries to withdraw EN 779 with immediate effect. The United Kingdom and The Netherlands have already done so with the introduction of ISO 16890 at the beginning of the year, which has now become the only valid standard for their respective countries. As a result, users, filter resellers and filter manufacturers are faced with the challenge of managing the changeover at any time. The new standard has a significant effect on the selection and purchasing conditions of companies. As a leading filtration specialist and pioneer in the implementation of the new ISO 16890 values, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies is offering rapid support during the transition.

With the introduction of the ISO 16890 test standard, filters will in future be assessed in terms of particulate matter classes PM1, PM2,5 and PM10, which are the same classes applied by the World Health Organization (WHO) and environmental authorities. Based on these comparative values, users can more easily select the appropriate filters to meet their individual requirements.

Validity of EN 779 is now in the hands of each country

In all European countries, except the United Kingdom and The Netherlands, EN 779 may still remain valid up to and including June 30, 2018. This means that both standards can exist in parallel. However, this situation is not reliable. If you do not want to expose yourself to risk or to be dependent on national decisions, you should familiarize yourself with ISO 16890 as soon as possible. Freudenberg Filtration Technologies is on hand to help you in this regard as a supporting partner. “We have already implemented all the new ISO 16890 values and are happy to support customers and prospective customers during the important changeover phase”, explained Dr. Daniel Schmitt, Global Vice President Industrial Filtration at Freudenberg Filtration Technologies.

Fully in tune with ISO 16890: product catalogue, website, app

In the run-up to the launch of ISO 16890, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies initiated an information and service campaign last year, complete with lectures, seminars and training courses. In January 2017, the new Viledon product catalogue 2017/2018 followed up with the first ever filter classification according to ISO 16890. With the launch of the Viledon app, a further information tool will be available at the end of February.