The latest ISO 16890 standard has replaced the old EN 779
Air purity is becoming an increasingly important aspect in industrial, public, and residential buildings. Ventilation systems and their filtration play a key role in ensuring high-quality indoor air, which affects human health, productivity, and the service life of technology. The ISO 16890 standard, introduced in 2016 and fully replacing the previous European standard EN 779 since 2018, represents a completely new approach to evaluating the efficiency of filters for general ventilation applications.
Basic information about ISO 16890
ISO 16890 is officially titled "Air filters for general ventilation." The standard introduces a more realistic method of testing filters based on actual air conditions.
The basic principle is to evaluate filters according to their efficiency in capturing particles of various sizes:
- ISO coarse – filters with an efficiency of < 50% for PM10 – coarse impurities.
- ePM10 – particles up to 10 µm (pollen, spores, coarse dust). These particles enter the upper respiratory tract.
- ePM2.5 – particles up to 2.5 µm (fine dust, bacteria). These particles enter the lower respiratory tract.
- ePM1 – particles up to 1 µm (viruses, soot, smog). These particles can enter the bloodstream.
Each filter is tested for its ability to capture these size fractions and is classified into the appropriate category based on this.
Dust particles vary in size and come from many sources – natural (pollen, mold, erosion) and human (transport, industry, heating, agriculture). Larger particles (approx. 10 µm) are visible, but smaller ones (e.g., 0.3 µm) are more dangerous as they penetrate deeper into the body. Air quality varies depending on location and weather, so filtration solutions must be adapted to specific conditions.
ISO 16890 evaluates filters based on actual pollution levels and uses the same parameters as the World Health Organization. Air quality data is commonly available online, making it easy to find out the local level of PM particles.
Based on this information, suitable filtration can be selected. The World Health Organization recommends limits of 20 μg/m³ for PM10 and 10 μg/m³ for PM2.5. For PM1 filters, it depends on the specific application. ISO 16890 thus makes it much easier to select the right filter compared to the older EN 779 standard.
Why is ISO 16890 better than the previous standard?
The previous EN 779 standard classified filters according to their efficiency on one specific particle (0.4 µm), which did not reflect the actual composition of the air. The newer ISO 16890 standard evaluates filters based on a broader spectrum of particles (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1), providing a more realistic picture of their performance in practice and making it easier for customers to select the appropriate filtration for their environment.
Testing principle according to ISO 16890
The testing procedure according to ISO 16890 involves several steps:
- Filter pre-treatment – the filter is exposed to synthetic dust (ISO A2) to simulate clogging.
- Measurement of filtration efficiency - the efficiency of the filter in capturing particles in the range of 0.3 - 10 µm is analyzed.
- Determination of average efficiency - if the filter captures at least 50% of particles of a given size group (e.g., PM2.5), it is classified as ePM2.5.
- Rounding - the data is given in a format such as ePM2.5 65%.
In addition to efficiency itself, the standard also takes into account pressure resistance, which affects the energy consumption of the ventilation system.
Practical implications and significance of the standard
The introduction of ISO 16890 represents a major shift for designers, facility managers, and end users:
- More realistic information about what the filter actually captures
- Easier comparison of products from different manufacturers
- The ability to choose a filter based on health risks (e.g., in schools, hospitals, or areas with smog)
- Better control of operating costs through optimization between efficiency and pressure resistance
ISO 16890 thus contributes not only to improving air quality, but also to more sustainable operation of HVAC systems.