oSIST prEN ISO 9360-1:2026
(Main)Heat and moisture exchangers, and breathing system filters for respired gases - Part 1: Common requirements (ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026)
General Information
- Abstract
- Status
- Not Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 30-Oct-2026
- Technical Committee
- VAZ - Healthcare
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 04-Sep-2026
- Due Date
- 22-Jan-2027
Overview
oSIST prEN ISO 9360-1:2026 defines the common requirements for heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs), breathing system filters (BSFs), and combined devices (HMEFs) for respired gases, especially in anaesthetic and respiratory care. Developed by SIST and aligned with ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026, this draft standard focuses on medical devices critical for humidifying and filtering gases delivered to or exhaled from patients during ventilation and anaesthetic procedures. The document outlines material, design, performance, marking, and information requirements to ensure safety, reliability, and interoperability in clinical use.
Key Topics
Scope and Applicability
- Applies to HMEs, BSFs, and HMEFs used within anaesthetic and ventilator breathing systems.
- Addresses design and performance for devices both with and without machine ports.
- Excludes filters for vacuum sources, gas lines, test equipment, resuscitation bags, nebulisers, and anaesthetic gas scavenging.
Material and Design Requirements
- Specifies acceptable materials, focusing on visibility of condensation and transparency for housing components.
- Emphasizes color coding for easy device identification: blue/green for HMEs and HMEFs, yellow/orange/red for BSFs.
- Connector requirements reference international connector standards (e.g., ISO 5356-1 for conical connectors).
Performance Testing
- Outlines standard test procedures for:
- Measurement of moisture loss (in line with ISO 9360-2)
- Filtration efficiency (per ISO 9360-3 for BSF and HMEF)
- Resistance to gas flow across neonatal, paediatric, and adult uses
- Gas leakage and device compliance
- Outlines standard test procedures for:
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization
- Requires adherence to general airway device requirements for hygiene and sterilization.
Marking and Labelling
- Devices must indicate orientation, applicable color coding, correct device type (HME, BSF, HMEF), and warnings.
- Installation and use instructions must be clear and comprehensive, providing technical and safety information.
Applications
Medical organizations, healthcare providers, and manufacturers benefit from this standard by:
- Supporting Patient Safety
- HMEs and BSFs help replicate physiological conditions, humidifying and filtering gases to lower infection risks and avoid airway complications during mechanical ventilation or anaesthesia.
- Ensuring Device Interoperability
- Standardized connectors and markings ensure compatibility across ventilators and breathing systems, reducing the risk of misconnections or improper device selection.
- Enhancing Clinical Efficiency
- Clear instructions and standardized color-coding facilitate quick and correct device identification, crucial in high-pressure clinical settings.
- Assisting Regulatory Compliance
- Following ISO 9360-1 assists manufacturers and healthcare organizations in meeting regulatory requirements for respiratory equipment.
- Facilitating Training
- Standardization streamlines the education and training for clinical personnel on the safe selection and use of HMEs, HMEFs, and BSFs.
Related Standards
- ISO 5356-1:2015 – Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment - Conical connectors
- ISO 18190:2025 – General requirements for airway devices and related equipment
- ISO 80369-2/7 – Small-bore connectors for healthcare applications
- ISE 60601-1 – Medical electrical equipment safety
- ISO 9360-2:202X – Measurement of moisture loss (complementary test method)
- ISO 9360-3:202X – Measurement of filtration performance
- ISO TS 24172 – Alternative test method for heat and moisture exchangers
By following oSIST prEN ISO 9360-1:2026, stakeholders strengthen safety, quality, and interoperability for heat and moisture exchangers and breathing system filters in critical respiratory care settings. Use of this standard is a robust step in aligning medical device design and performance with global best practices.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 19-Feb-2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
oSIST prEN ISO 9360-1:2026 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Heat and moisture exchangers, and breathing system filters for respired gases - Part 1: Common requirements (ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026)". This standard covers: La présente partie de l'ISO 9360 spécifie certaines exigences relatives aux échangeurs de chaleur et d'humidité (ECH), y compris ceux équipés de filtres pour systèmes respiratoires, essentiellement destinés à humidifier les gaz respirés par les patients ayant un volume courant supérieur ou égal à 250 ml, et comportant au moins un orifice côté appareil, et décrit des méthodes d'essai permettant de les évaluer.
La présente partie de l'ISO 9360 spécifie certaines exigences relatives aux échangeurs de chaleur et d'humidité (ECH), y compris ceux équipés de filtres pour systèmes respiratoires, essentiellement destinés à humidifier les gaz respirés par les patients ayant un volume courant supérieur ou égal à 250 ml, et comportant au moins un orifice côté appareil, et décrit des méthodes d'essai permettant de les évaluer.
oSIST prEN ISO 9360-1:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 11.040.10 - Anaesthetic, respiratory and reanimation equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
oSIST prEN ISO 9360-1:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN ISO 9360-1:2009. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
oSIST prEN ISO 9360-1:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2026
Izmenjevalniki toplote in vlage ter filtri dihalnih sistemov za dihalne pline - 1. del:
Splošne zahteve (ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026)
Heat and moisture exchangers, and breathing system filters for respired gases - Part 1:
Common requirements (ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026)
Anästhesie- und Beatmungsgeräte - Wärme- und Feuchtigkeitsaustauscher und
Atemschutzfilter (HMEF) zur Anfeuchtung von Atemgasen beim Menschen - Teil 1:
Allgemeine Anforderungen (ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026)
Titre manque — Partie 1: Titre manque
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 9360-1
ICS:
11.040.10 Anestezijska, respiratorna in Anaesthetic, respiratory and
reanimacijska oprema reanimation equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 9360-1
ISO/TC 121/SC 2
Heat and moisture exchangers, and
Secretariat: ANSI
breathing system filters for respired
Voting begins on:
gases —
2026-08-20
Part 1:
Voting terminates on:
2026-11-12
Common requirements
ICS: 11.040.10
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 9360-1
ISO/TC 121/SC 2
Heat and moisture exchangers, and
Secretariat: ANSI
breathing system filters for respired
Voting begins on:
gases —
2026-08-20
Part 1:
Voting terminates on:
2026-11-12
Common requirements
ICS: 11.040.10
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2026
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
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RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
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Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 General requirements . 4
4.1 General .4
4.2 Ambient conditions of test .4
5 Materials . 4
5.1 General .4
5.2 Housing.4
6 Design Requirements. 6
6.1 General .6
6.2 Identification of the device .6
6.2.1 Colours . .6
6.3 Device connections .6
6.3.1 Connection ports .6
6.3.2 HMEs/HMEFs with no machine port .7
6.3.3 Accessory port .7
6.3.4 Supplementary Oxygen connection .8
6.4 Performance Requirements .8
6.4.1 General .8
6.4.2 Measurement of moisture loss .8
6.4.3 Measurement of filtration performance.8
6.4.4 Measurement of resistance to flow .8
6.4.5 Measurement of gas leakage .11
6.4.6 Measurement of compliance .11
7 Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization .11
8 Information to be supplied by the manufacturer .11
8.1 Marking on the device .11
8.2 Labelling on the packaging . 12
8.3 Instructions for use . 12
Annex A (informative) Rationale . 14
Annex B (informative) Test method for assessing visibility/legibility .16
Bibliography . 17
iii
ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
ISO 9360-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 121, Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment,
Subcommittee SC 2, Airway devices and related equipment.
ISO 9360 consists of the following parts, under the general title Breathing system filters for anaesthetic and
respiratory use:
— Part 1: Common requirements
— Part 2: Measurement of moisture loss
— Part 3: Measurement of filtration performance
These parts technically revise and replace ISO 9360-1:2000, ISO 9360-2:2001, ISO 23328-1:2008 and
ISO 23328-2:2009.
These parts are a combination of the above standards with new and modified requirements, in particular:
— Part 1 combines requirements from ISO 9360-1:2000 and ISO 23328-2:2009
— Part 2 combines requirements from ISO 9360-1:2000 and ISO 9360-2:2001.
— Part 3 are requirements from ISO 23328-1:2008.
Specific changes include:
— layout now follows the format of ISO 18190:202x; and references clauses from ISO 18190
— Colour coding requirements were added to distinguish between HMEs and BSFs
iv
ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
Introduction
The gases generally available for medical use lack sufficient moisture to be physiologically acceptable to
the respiratory tract of patients. Heat and moisture exchangers (HME) are used to raise the water content
and the temperature of the gas delivered to the respiratory tract of spontaneously and non-spontaneously
breathing patients. HMEs are intended to form part of a ventilator breathing system. HMEs are primarily
placed between the patient interface (e.g. Tracheal or Tracheostomy Tube) and the anaesthesia or ventilator
breathing set. HMEs are also intended for use with tracheostomy tube where the HME is not designed to
connected to a anaesthesia or ventilator breathing set.
Breathing system filters (BSF) are used to reduce particulates, including microorganisms, in gases delivered
to and exhaled from patients. BSFs are intended to form part of a ventilator breathing system. BSFs may
be placed between the patient interface and the anaesthesia or ventilator breathing set or placed between
the anaesthesia or ventilator breathing set and the anaesthesia or ventilator machine. BSF are exposed to
various levels of humidity during clinical use.
Many devices combine the characteristics of both an HME and a BSF in one combined device, called an HMEF.
HMEs and HMEFs are only intended for use between the patient interface and the anaesthesia or ventilator
breathing set.
v
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
Heat and moisture exchangers, and breathing system filters
for respired gases —
Part 1:
Common requirements
1 Scope
This document specifies the common requirements for heat and moisture exchangers (HME), breathing
system filters (BSF) and combined devices (HMEF) intended for anaesthetic and respiratory use. It addresses
materials, design, performance, requirements for devices supplied sterile, marking, and information to be
provided by the manufacturer.
NOTE 1 Wherever the term “device” is used in this document, it refers to an HME or, HMEF or BSF.
This document also applies to HMEs or HMEFs that do not have a machine port for connecting to a ventilator.
[1]
Requirements for active HMEs are located in ISO 80601-2-74 .
This document is not applicable to other types of filters:
— those designed to protect vacuum sources or gas sample lines;
— to filter compressed gases;
— to protect test equipment for physiological respiratory measurements;
— on inlet of resuscitation bags;
— port of nebulisers.
NOTE 2 A method for assessing moisture loss from an HME/HMEF is given in ISO 9360-2: 202X.
NOTE 3 A method for assessing filtration performance of BSF/HMEF is given in ISO 9360-3:202X.
Filters used for filtering anaesthetic gases from the respiratory gas are not within scope of this document.
[1]
NOTE 4 Requirements for Active HMEs are included in ISO 80601-2-74 .
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5356-1:2015, Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment — Conical connectors — Part 1: Cones and sockets
ISO 5356-1, Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment — Conical connectors — Part 1: Cones and sockets
ISO 18190:2025, Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment — General requirements for airway devices and related
equipment
ISO 80369-2, Small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications — Part 2: Connectors for
respiratory applications
ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
ISO 80369-7, Small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications - Part 7: Connectors for
intravascular or hypodermic applications
IEC 60601-1:2005+AMD1: 2012+ AMD2: 2020 Medical electrical equipment — Part 1: General requirements
for basic safety and essential performance
ISO 9360-2: 202X Heat and moisture exchangers, and breathing system filters for respired gases — Part 2:
Measurement of moisture loss
ISO 9360-3: 202X Heat and moisture exchangers, and breathing system filters for respired gases — Part 3:
Measurement of filtration performance
ISO TS 24172 Alternative test method for heat and moisture exchangers
3 Terms and definitions
[2]
For the purposes of this part of ISO 9360, the terms and definitions given in ISO 4135:2022 and the
following apply.
3.1
accessory port
port of the device intended for connection to an accessory
EXAMPLE Connection to a respiratory gas monitor.
3.2
active HME
device where water, water vapour or heat is actively added to the HME to increase the humidity level of the
gas delivered from the HME to the patient
[2]
[SOURCE: ISO 4135:2022 , 3.7.2.3]
3.3
breathing set
assembly of breathing tubes, connectors and components that form the inspiratory and expiratory limbs of
the gas pathways of an anaesthetic breathing system or ventilator breathing system between the ventilator
and the patient's airway device
[2]
[SOURCE: ISO 4135:2022 , 3.6.1.6]
3.4
breathing system filter
BSF
device intended to reduce transmission of airborne particulates, including microorganisms, in breathing
systems
Note 1 to entry: A BSF may be incorporated into an HME.
[2]
[SOURCE: ISO 4135:2022 , 3.6.1.5]
3.5
compliance
change in volume of gas per unit pressure change within an enclosed space
Note 1 to entry: It is deprecated to include the measurement conditions into the definition of compliance; in general
compliance may be expressed at any specified measurement condition.
[3]
Note 2 to entry: ISO 19223 provides definitions for pulmonary compliance, respiratory system compliance, static
compliance and dynamic compliance, all of which relate to the patient. Various other standards from ISO/TC 121
reference compliance with respect to items of equipment such as breathing tubes and reservoir bags.
[2]
[SOURCE: ISO 4135:2022 , 3.1.1.12]
ISO/DIS 9360-1:2026(en)
3.6
Heat and moisture exchanger, noun
HME, noun
device intended to retain a portion of the patient’s expired moisture and heat, and return it to the patient's
respiratory tract during inspiration
[2]
[SOURCE: ISO 4135:2022 , 3.7.4.1]
3.7
HMEF, FHME, noun
heat and moisture exchanger that incorporates the function of a breathing system filter
[2]
[SOURCE: ISO 4135:2022 , 3.7.4.1, deleted note]
3.8
internal volume, noun
compressible volume contained within the device
Note 1 to entry: The internal volume is intended to refer to the compressible volume occupied by breathing gases.
Note 2 to entry: The internal volume is bounded by the internal surfaces of the impermeable material of the device, the
ports of the device and excludes the internal volume of socket gas connectors.
Note 3 to entry: The internal volume excludes the volume of solid elements within the device, such as exchange media.
3.9
machine port
port of the device which is intended for connection to a patient connection port of a breathing set
3.10
moisture loss, noun
total amount of water lost from the test apparatus when tested as specified in ISO 9360-2: 202X
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in milligrams water per litre of air.
3.11
patient connection port
port of a breathing system intended for connection to an airway device
Note 1 to entry: The patient-connection port is the en
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