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EV Charging Stations Industry Application

Filtration for Power Equipment

Professional air filtration for EV charging devices, protecting against dust and sand ingress to ensure stable, reliable operation of charging piles and station infrastructure.

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Cleanroom & Semiconductor Industry Application

Ultra-High Cleanliness Filtration

Ultra-high efficiency filtration for semiconductor wafer fabs and precision electronics cleanrooms, capturing nano-scale particles to meet ISO Class 1–3 standards and maximize product yield.

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Central Air System Filtration

High-efficiency filtration for commercial building HVAC systems, improving indoor air quality, reducing energy consumption, and extending equipment service life.

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Data Centers Industry Application

Precision Equipment Protection

Precision air filtration for data centers, shielding servers and critical hardware from dust contamination to keep cooling systems running efficiently and reliably.

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Farming Environment Purification

Dedicated filtration systems for farms and livestock facilities — capturing dust, adsorbing ammonia, and inhibiting pathogen spread to improve animal health and overall productivity.

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Spray Booths & Industrial Dust Industry Application

Paint Mist & Dust Purification

Designed for spray booths and grinding workshops, efficiently capturing paint mist, metal dust, and wood chips to meet emission standards while protecting finished surface quality.

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ISO 16890 Standard Interpretation and Selection Guide

From EN 779 to ISO 16890: A Revolution in Air Filter Classification

In 2022, the European Committee for Standardization officially withdrew the decades‑old EN 779:2012 standard, replacing it with the new ISO 16890 series. This change has profoundly impacted the testing, classification, and selection of air filters. This guide systematically explains the core changes in ISO 16890, the new classification system, its relationship with old standards, and provides ISO 16890‑based filter selection methods and procurement tips – helping engineers, buyers, and facility managers make the right decisions under the new standard.

1. Why ISO 16890 Was Needed

1.1 Limitations of EN 779

EN 779:2012, “Particulate air filters for general ventilation,” had been the European standard since the 1960s, but it had several shortcomings:

Issue	Specifics	Consequence
Single test particle size	Only used 0.4μm DEHS aerosol	Does not reflect real efficiency across different particle sizes
Fixed final pressure drop	Test ended at 250Pa	Differs from actual replacement pressure drop (often 450Pa)
No electrostatic discharge treatment	Did not remove static charge	Test efficiency may be higher than real‑world performance
Non‑intuitive grading	F5‑F9 does not directly relate to health effects	Cannot easily answer “how much PM2.5 does it remove?”

1.2 Growing Health Awareness

The World Health Organization has classified PM2.5 as a Group 1 carcinogen, and public and industry attention to indoor air quality has never been higher. A standard that can directly express a filter’s ability to capture health‑relevant particles like PM2.5 and PM1 became essential – this is the core value of ISO 16890.

2. Core Changes in ISO 16890

2.1 Comprehensive Test Method Upgrade

Comparison	EN 779:2012	ISO 16890
Test aerosol	0.4μm DEHS liquid	Solid KCl, polydisperse distribution
Particle size range	Single size	Full range 0.3‑10μm
Test endpoint	Fixed 250Pa	Clean resistance + efficiency curve up to final pressure drop
Electrostatic treatment	Not required	Isopropanol immersion to eliminate static charge
Efficiency type	Average efficiency	Minimum efficiency

Key change: By removing electrostatic effects, ISO 16890 measures the filter’s minimum efficiency, which more closely represents average real‑world performance over its service life.

2.2 New Classification System

ISO 16890 no longer uses the “G/F” letter grades. Instead, it classifies filters by their counting efficiency for three particle size ranges:

Code	Particle Size Range	Health Relevance	Typical Sources
ePM1	0.3‑1.0μm	Can reach alveoli, virus carriers	Combustion products, tobacco smoke, virus aerosols
ePM2.5	0.3‑2.5μm	Respirable fine particles	PM2.5, bacteria, mould spores
ePM10	0.3‑10μm	Respirable coarse particles	Pollen, dust mite debris, road dust

Efficiency labelling format:

ISO ePM1 65% : Counting efficiency for 0.3‑1.0μm particles ≥65%
ISO ePM2.5 55% : Counting efficiency for 0.3‑2.5μm particles ≥55%
ISO ePM10 70% : Counting efficiency for 0.3‑10μm particles ≥70%

2.3 Approximate Correspondence with EN 779

Because test methods differ, there is no strict mathematical conversion. Based on extensive comparative testing, the industry uses the following approximate correspondence:

EN 779 Grade	Approx. ISO 16890 Level (typical)	Efficiency Range
G3	ePM10 < 40%	—
G4	ePM10 40‑70%	Coarse
F5	ePM2.5 40‑50%	Basic medium
F6	ePM2.5 50‑60%	Medium
F7	ePM1 50‑65%	High medium
F8	ePM1 65‑80%	Sub‑HEPA
F9	ePM1 > 80%	Near‑HEPA

Important: Due to test differences, an F7‑rated filter under EN 779 might achieve only ePM1 50% or as much as ePM1 65% under ISO 16890. Procurement should always be based on the ISO 16890 test report.

3. ISO 16890‑Based Selection Guide

3.1 Selecting Efficiency by Application

Application	Recommended ISO Grade	Reason
Residential fresh air	ePM10 ≥ 50% (G4)	Capture pollen, dust
Commercial office	ePM1 ≥ 50% (F7)	Ensure PM2.5 compliance
General hospital areas	ePM1 ≥ 65% (F8)	Bacterial and viral protection
Data centers	ePM1 ≥ 65% (F8)	Server protection while controlling pressure drop
Pharmaceutical cleanroom pre‑filtration	ePM1 ≥ 80% (F9)	Protect HEPA
Operating rooms	ePM1 ≥ 80% + HEPA	Sterile environment

3.2 Balancing Efficiency and Pressure Drop

ISO Grade	Typical Initial ΔP (Pa @ 2.5 m/s)	Recommended Applications
ePM10 50% (G4)	30‑50	Pre‑filtration
ePM1 50% (F7)	80‑100	General HVAC
ePM1 65% (F8)	100‑130	Data centers, hospitals
ePM1 80% (F9)	130‑180	Cleanroom pre‑filtration

Selection principle: Among products meeting the required efficiency, always choose the one with the lowest pressure drop.

3.3 Multi‑Stage Filtration Configuration Recommendations

Application	Stage 1 (Pre‑filter)	Stage 2 (Main filter)	Stage 3 (Polishing)
Commercial HVAC	ePM10 50% (G4)	ePM1 50% (F7)	—
Data center	ePM10 50% (G4)	ePM1 65% (F8)	Optional chemical filter
Hospital	ePM10 50% (G4)	ePM1 65% (F8)	HEPA
Pharmaceutical cleanroom	ePM10 50% (G4)	ePM1 80% (F9)	H14

4. Procurement and Verification Essentials

4.1 Require Complete Test Reports

When purchasing, require the supplier to provide a complete ISO 16890 test report from an ILAC‑accredited laboratory. The report should include:

Specific efficiency values for ePM1, ePM2.5, and ePM10 (at least three significant digits)
Initial pressure drop and pressure drop curve at different air velocities
Efficiency‑versus‑particle‑size curve (0.3‑10μm)
Description of electrostatic discharge treatment

4.2 Common Procurement Misconceptions

Misconception	Reality
“F7 means ePM1 50%”	It could be 40% or 65% – you must see the actual test report
“All ISO reports are the same”	Different laboratories may give different results; choose an accredited lab
“Higher efficiency is always better”	Excessively high efficiency increases pressure drop; you must balance with energy consumption
“Imported brands automatically comply”	Always request a test report; do not rely on verbal claims

4.3 On‑Site Verification

Install a differential pressure gauge and monitor whether the operating pressure drop stays within expected range
Use a particle counter to test supply air quality and verify filtration effectiveness
Periodically send filter samples to a third‑party laboratory for re‑testing

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is ISO 16890 valid in China?

A: Yes. The Chinese national standard GB/T 14295‑2019, “Air filters,” has equivalently adopted the core content of ISO 16890.

Q: EN 779 has been withdrawn – can I still buy F7/F8 filters?

A: Products labelled F7/F8 are still available on the market, but you should ask the supplier to also provide an ISO 16890 test report.

Q: How does ISO 16890 correspond to ASHRAE 52.2 (MERV)?

A: There is no direct one‑to‑one correspondence. As a rough guide: MERV 13‑14 ≈ ePM1 50‑65%, MERV 15‑16 ≈ ePM1 65‑80%. However, always rely on the ISO 16890 report.

Q: Why can the same product give different test results in different laboratories?

A: Possible reasons include differences in test dust, equipment calibration, and operator technique. Request tests from an ILAC‑accredited laboratory and consider the average of multiple reports.

Q: Are ISO 16890 filters more expensive?

A: Initial purchase cost may be similar or slightly higher, but because the tests are more scientific, the actual performance is more reliable and the total cost of ownership (TCO) is usually lower.

6. Conclusion

ISO 16890 marks a shift in air filter classification from “vague experience” to “scientific transparency”. For users, this means you can now more intuitively understand a filter’s ability to capture health‑relevant particles and make better‑informed selection decisions.

Action recommendations:

Review the ISO 16890 test reports for your existing filters
For new projects, include ISO 16890 as a mandatory requirement in procurement technical specifications
Train your procurement and technical teams to understand the core changes of the new standard

Keywords: #ISO16890 #EN779 #AirFilterStandards #ePM1 #FilterClassification #ASHRAE52_2 #SelectionGuide

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🔍 Common Air Filter Types

Bag Filters: Remove medium to large particles such as dust and pollen; ideal for livestock farms, industrial facilities, and schools.
Panel Filters: Serve as primary or medium-efficiency filters to protect equipment and extend the life of high-efficiency filters.
HEPA Filters: Capture PM2.5, pollen, bacteria, and most airborne particulates; perfect for classrooms, laboratories, and medical environments.
Activated Carbon Filters: Remove gaseous pollutants, odors, and volatile organic compounds; suitable for food processing, livestock, and enclosed spaces.

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