SC 15 has structured its task by installing 3 Working Groups, WG1 handles the general topics, WG2 and WG3 are responsible for writing the two main standards for filtering devices and supplied breathable gas devices. Delegates from 14 nations take part in the work.

In the meantime the outcome from WG 1 has been the Technical report ”Metabilic rates”, the Technical reports ”Antroprometrics”, ”CO₂ and O₂ limitations” follows soon; ”Breathing resistance”, ”Work of breathing” are under consideration. Five technical reports, including ”Ergonomic characteristics” describes the ”Human factors”. These will be considered by the product standard drafting groups. The standard “Terms and definitions” has past the formal vote positively as well as four standards for testing respiratory devices.

The product standards are still worked on, it is envisaged to circulate the first committee draft this year. The target of SC 15 is to finish the new product standards in 2014.

The chance to participate and contribute to the generation of a world wide accepted new standard based on the wearers demands and their capability to wear suitable RPD is there. You can read the public information to this standardizing work on ISO Web-page:

http://www.iso.org/iso/standards_development/technical_committees/list_of_iso_technical_committees/iso_technical_committee.htm?commid=291088.

The full report by Wolfgang Drews (Dräger Safety Germany and Wilhelm Weihofen (BG RCI Germany)