Australia and New Zealand transitioning to ISO respiratory protection standards by 2030

By January 1, 2030, two long-standing national standards - AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment and AS/NZS 1716:2012 Respiratory Protective Devices - will be superseded by a recently adopted suite of AS/NZS ISO standards. This marks a significant step forward for the respiratory protection industry toward global harmonisation and improved safety outcomes.

Why the change?

Lucre Pfefferman, New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS) representative on the SF-010 Occupational Respiratory Protection standards committee, says, ‘The current AS/NZS standards have served the region for decades but are now considered outdated. In fact, the intention of the joint Australian and New Zealand committee SF-010 to adopt the ISO respiratory protection standards was signalled long ago in the Preface of AS/NZS 1716:2012. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for modern, globally aligned standards that reflect the realities of today’s workplaces and supply chains.’

The ISO respiratory protection standards aim to:

• Harmonise respiratory protection requirements globally.
• Enhance user safety by focusing on wearer performance, not just product design.
• Standardise terminology and classifications, making it easier for manufacturers, regulators, and users to navigate.
• Facilitate future international trade by aligning with the standards expected to be adopted in other countries.

What’s changing?

Instead of just two standards, the new framework includes over 30 ISO standards, already adopted in parallel as AS/NZS ISO standards. Essentially, the content covered in AS/NZS 1715 and 1716 is split into a number of smaller standards rather than two large standards. These cover everything from product performance and testing to fit-testing procedures and pandemic-specific guidance.

Key replacements include:

• AS/NZS 1715 should be superseded by the ISO 16975 series, including:
  • AS/NZS ISO 16975.1:2023 – Selection, use and maintenance – Part 1: Establishing and implementing a respiratory protective device program
  • AS/NZS ISO 16975.2:2023 – Selection, use and maintenance – Part 2: Condensed guide to establishing and implementing a respiratory protective device program
  • AS/NZS ISO 16975.3:2023 - Selection, use and maintenance – Part 3: Fit-testing procedures
  • AS/NZS ISO 16975.4:2024 – Selection, use and maintenance – Part 4: Selection and usage guideline for respiratory protective devices under pandemic/epidemic/outbreak of infectious respiratory disease   
• AS/NZS 1716 should be replaced by a broader set of ISO standards covering classification, performance, and test methods of respiratory protective devices for manufacturers, test laboratories, and accreditation bodies.

Transition timeline

Both the existing AS/NZS and newly adopted AS/NZS ISO standards are currently valid and can be used in parallel. However, by 2030, AS/NZS 1715 and 1716 should be officially withdrawn. This transition period allows manufacturers, distributors, and end-users time to adapt.

Who is affected?

·       Respirator manufacturers will need to retest and reclassify products under the adopted AS/NZS ISO standards, as well as products under development planned for future release.

·       Distributors should ensure products meet the new ISO standards as they become available.

·       Workplaces across all industries should review and update their respiratory protection programs with reference to the new AS/NZS ISO standards.

·       Regulators are involved in the transition and will likely update citations and compliance requirements accordingly.

Updated good practice

Australia and New Zealand are the first countries in the world to locally adopt the full ISO suite for respiratory protection. This demonstrates leadership in:

·       Ensuring worker safety in increasingly complex environments.

·       Supporting future global mobility of workers and products.

·       Reducing confusion caused by differing national standards.

Familiarise yourself with the new standards

Standards Australia, with Mark Reggers, chair of the Joint AS/NZS committee, and Dr Jane Whitelaw, committee member, provides more information for users of the AS/NZS standards and the transition to AS/NZS ISO standards:

Preparing for Australia's new respiratory protection standards | WEBINAR(external link)

This offers a key opportunity for users to learn more about the new standards and how to prepare. Standards Australia has also created a flagship page with current information:(external link)

Respiratory Protection Standards - Standards Australia(external link)

This change is more than a regulatory update; it’s a strategic move toward a safer, more connected world. As respiratory protection becomes more critical in the face of pandemics, industrial hazards, and global trade, aligning with ISO standards ensures that New Zealand remains at the forefront of occupational health and safety. Joint adoption ensures the benefits of trans-Tasman interoperability and efficiencies remain in place.