Which agency is responsible for certifying respirators?

The agency responsible for certifying respirators is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, commonly known as NIOSH. NIOSH operates under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is tasked with ensuring safe and effective occupational safety measures. In the context of respirators, NIOSH sets the standards for the performance of these protective devices and conducts testing and certification processes to evaluate their capability to protect users against airborne hazards.

NIOSH certification involves rigorous testing for various types of respirators, including both air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying devices. This ensures that each respirator meets specific performance criteria before it can be marketed for use in the workplace. Consequently, when a respirator bears a NIOSH certification mark, it signifies that the device complies with safety and efficiency standards.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees workplace safety and regulations, but it does not perform the certification of respirators. Instead, OSHA recognizes NIOSH certifications as compliant with its regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on environmental protections, including regulations on hazardous pollutants but is not involved in the respirator certification process. Lastly, while the CDC provides extensive guidance related to public health and safety, it does not directly