EN 140:1998

Overview

EN 140:1998 is a European Standard published by CEN that sets the minimum requirements for half masks and quarter masks used as part of respiratory protective devices (RPD). The standard covers design, materials, performance, testing, and marking to ensure masks provide reliable respiratory protection in occupational and environmental settings. It excludes escape apparatus and diving apparatus. Laboratory and practical performance tests are specified to assess compliance.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to half masks and quarter masks used with respiratory protective devices (not including escape or diving equipment).
• Design and construction
  • Requirements for materials, fit, sealing surfaces and durability to support safe, repeatable use.
• Performance testing
  • Laboratory tests and practical performance tests are included to verify protection levels, mechanical integrity and functional reliability under expected use conditions.
• Marking and documentation
  • Mandatory marking and labeling requirements to ensure users can identify the mask type, manufacturer and compliance information.
• Compliance assessment
  • Test methods and pass/fail criteria are provided so manufacturers, test houses and certifying bodies can assess conformity.

(Note: EN 140:1998 specifies minimum high-level requirements and test approaches; refer to the standard text for detailed test procedures and criteria.)

Applications

EN 140 is intended for stakeholders who design, manufacture, certify, procure or use half and quarter facepieces in workplace respiratory protection programs:

• Manufacturers developing half-mask and quarter-mask products for industrial safety.
• Testing and certification laboratories performing conformity assessments against EN 140 requirements.
• Health & safety professionals specifying compliant respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for workplaces.
• Procurement and compliance officers ensuring purchased RPE meets recognized European standards.
• Regulators and inspectors verifying that RPE in use meets minimum safety and marking standards.

Related standards

• EN 140 complements other European RPE standards (for example, standards for full-face masks, filters, escape apparatus and breathing apparatus). EN 140 explicitly excludes escape and diving apparatus-consult the specific EN standards that cover those devices for full system requirements.
• ICS classification: 13.340.30 (Respiratory protective devices).

By following EN 140:1998, organizations ensure half-mask and quarter-mask respiratory equipment meets harmonized European rules for performance, testing and marking-supporting safer respiratory protection and regulatory compliance.