EN 136:1998

• Abstract:

  This European Standard specifies minimum requirements for full face masks for respiratory protective devices. Full face masks for diving apparatus are not included in the scope of this European Standard. Laboratory and practical performance tests are included for the assessment of compliance with the requirements.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Jan-1998
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Jul-1998
• ICS: 13.340.30 - Respiratory protective devices
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 79 - Respiratory protective devices
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 79/WG 4 - Filters and absorption devices
• Current Stage: 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 29-Apr-2025
• Completion Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Directive: Not Harmonized2008/68/EC - Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 24 September 2008 on the inland transport of the dangerous goods
• Directive:

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  Harmonized Standard2014/90/EU - Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC
• Directive:

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  Harmonized Standard2016/425 - Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment and repealing Council Directive 89/686/EEC
  OJ Ref: C, C 113 OJ Date: 27-Mar-2018
• Directive:

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  Not Harmonized89/686/EEC - Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  OJ Ref: C 183, C 2, C 203, C 247, C 306, C 46, C 91 OJ Date: 13-Jun-1998
• Directive:

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  Not Harmonized96/98/EC - Marine equipment
• Mandate: M/031 - Standardization mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning standards for Personal Protective Equipment
• Ref Project: SIST EN 136:1998 - Respiratory protective devices - Full face masks - Requirements, testing, marking

• Replaces: EN 136-10:1992 - Respiratory protective devices - Full face masks for special use - Requirements, testing, marking
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Replaces: EN 136:1989 - Respiratory protective devices - Full face masks - Requirements, testing, marking
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Refers: ISO 6941:1984/Amd 1:1992 - Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Measurement of flame spread properties of vertically oriented specimens — Amendment 1
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 6942:1993 - Clothing for protection against heat and fire — Evaluation of thermal behaviour of materials and material assemblies when exposed to a source of radiant heat
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 6941:1984 - Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Measurement of flame spread properties of vertically oriented specimens
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: EN 12502-2:2004 - Protection of metallic materials against corrosion - Guidance on the assessment of corrosion likelihood in water distribution and storage systems - Part 2: Influencing factors for copper and copper alloys
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 134:1990 - Respiratory protective devices - Nomenclature of components
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 6158:2004 - Metallic coatings - Electrodeposited coatings of chromium for engineering purposes (ISO 6158:2004)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 148-3:1992 - Respiratory protective devices - Threads for facepieces - Thread connection M 45 x 3
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 132:1990 - Respiratory protective devices - Definitions
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 403:2004 - Respiratory protective devices for self-rescue - Filtering devices with hood for escape from fire - Requirements, testing, marking
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14593-1:2005 - Respiratory protective devices - Compressed air line breathing apparatus with demand valve - Part 1: Apparatus with a full face mask - Requirements, testing, marking
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14594:2005 - Respiratory protective devices - Continuous flow compressed air line breathing apparatus - Requirements, testing, marking
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 943-1:2015+A1:2019 - Protective clothing against dangerous solid, liquid and gaseous chemicals, including liquid and solid aerosols - Part 1: Performance requirements for Type 1 (gas-tight) chemical protective suits
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14594:2018 - Respiratory protective devices - Continuous flow compressed air line breathing devices - Requirements, testing and marking
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 136:1998 is a European Standard published by CEN that defines minimum requirements for full face masks used in respiratory protective devices. The standard covers design, performance, testing and marking of full face masks intended for occupational and emergency use. Full face masks for diving apparatus are explicitly excluded from the scope. Compliance is assessed through both laboratory and practical performance tests.

Key Topics

EN 136:1998 addresses core technical and compliance areas for full face respiratory masks, including:

• Design and construction - principles to ensure a secure face seal and durable assembly suitable for use in protective respirators.
• Materials - requirements for materials that contact the wearer or affect mask performance (durability, non-toxicity, resistance to degradation).
• Performance - functional criteria that masks must meet under test conditions to demonstrate effective respiratory protection.
• Testing methods - specified laboratory and practical performance tests used to assess leakage, fit, mechanical integrity and other performance aspects.
• Marking and documentation - rules for labelling and informational materials supplied with the mask to support correct selection, maintenance and use.
• Exclusions and scope limits - clarification that diving full face masks are not covered.

(Note: EN 136:1998 specifies types of tests and the procedure for conformity assessment; consult the official standard text for detailed test methods and acceptance criteria.)

Applications

This standard is practical for stakeholders involved in the manufacture, procurement, testing and use of full face respirators:

• PPE manufacturers - to design and certify full face masks that meet European minimum requirements.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors - to perform the laboratory and practical tests required for compliance verification.
• Procurement and safety managers - to specify compliant full face masks for industrial, firefighting, emergency response and laboratory environments.
• Regulators and certification bodies - to reference a harmonized European benchmark for product approval and market surveillance.
• Occupational health professionals - to guide selection and maintenance of full face respiratory protection.

Related Standards

EN 136:1998 should be used alongside other standards covering respiratory protection components and practices, such as EN standards for filters, half masks, powered and supplied-air respirators, and standards on selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.

For authoritative details, testing procedures and marking requirements consult the official EN 136:1998 publication from CEN or your national standards body.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-1998
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SIST EN 136:1996
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Respiratory protective devices - Full face masks - Requirements, testing, marking
Atemschutzgeräte - Vollmasken - Anforderungen, Prüfung, Kennzeichnung
Appareils de protection respiratoire - Masq
...