In the sophisticated world of air filtration, the EN 1822 standard is like a supreme code, ending the chaotic era of filter efficiency assessment and laying the cornerstone for global HEPA/ULPA filter performance evaluation. However, we are standing at a turning point: the sophisticated system established by this code is facing the historical fate of being disrupted and reshaped by a new wave of technology.
I. The Disruptive Revolution of EN 1822: The Debut of the MPPS Testing Method
Before EN 1822 unified the field, filter testing methods had significant blind spots. For example, the widely used thermal DOP method mainly targeted particles around 0.3 micrometers, based on a naive assumption: capturing particles of this size meant that larger or smaller particles could be captured.
The revolutionary aspect of EN 1822 lies in its introduction of a reverse thinking approach: “finding the weakest point.” Through full-size particle scanning, it precisely identifies the “cunning” particle size—MPPS —that renders all filtration mechanisms (diffusion, interception, inertia) most ineffective, and mandates that filtration efficiency for this particle size be used as the basis for classification.
“It’s like no longer being satisfied with testing whether a lock can stop a strong man from breaking down the door, but rather testing whether it can stop the most skilled locksmith,” a filtration industry expert in Munich likened it. “This is a revolutionary shift in thinking, moving filter evaluation from ‘probably usable’ to ‘precise and reliable.'”
II. New Demands and Challenges Facing EN 1822
While EN 1822 remains authoritative, the tension between classic standards and emerging demands is clearly visible at the forefront of technology.
1. The Challenge of New Pollutants: From Physical Particles to Biologically Active Pathogens
The global pandemic of COVID-19 has brought the risk of airborne pathogens into the spotlight. Although viruses often attach to droplet nuclei around 0.1 micrometers in size, falling into the “territory” of MPPS (Microparticle Power Filters), EN 1822 only focuses on physical interception. “Customers are now asking not only ‘How many particles can it filter?’ but also ‘After filtration, is the virus still active?'” a product manager pointed out. The EN 1822 framework is insufficient for evaluating the effectiveness of antibacterial and antiviral coated filters, calling for new testing protocols that intersect with microbiology.
2. The Challenges of the Internet of Things: From Static Certification to Dynamic Intelligent Control
EN 1822 provides a static snapshot of a filter at its “life’s beginning.” Future clean spaces require dynamic health management throughout the entire lifecycle. Industry leaders are integrating real-time differential pressure, temperature, and even microparticle sensors into their high-end product lines.
The future trend is that evaluating a filter will no longer rely solely on an EN 1822 certification certificate, but rather on its real-time performance data stream. When a filter can “tell” you when it truly needs replacement, the authority of static standards will inevitably give way to the insights provided by dynamic data.
3. The Challenge of Sustainability: From Disposable to Recyclable
Against the backdrop of the global pursuit of “dual carbon” goals, disposable fiberglass filter media faces immense environmental pressure. New technologies such as recyclable materials and reusable electrostatically enhanced filters are emerging. However, EN 1822 testing is based on brand new, disposable filter media.
For washable metal filter media, after initial H13 certification, customers are most concerned about whether the efficiency remains at the H13 level after 10 or 20 washes. The current EN 1822 cannot answer this question, which is one of the most needed answers in the future market.
III. Where is EN 1822 headed?
Faced with increasingly complex testing requirements, the future of EN 1822 is uncertain. However, TrennTech, a professional filter supplier from Frankfurt, makes a bold prediction: the core MPPS concept of EN 1822 will not be abandoned; it will become a cornerstone of a more comprehensive and robust evaluation system in the future. We may see the following scenarios:
- “EN 1822 2.0”: A new standard integrating a biosafety degradation rate testing module.
- “Digital Twin Certification”: Each filter is “born” with its initial EN 1822 digital certificate, continuously updating its “health record” within the Internet of Things.
- “Lifecycle Rating”: The standard will evaluate not only initial efficiency but also the persistence of its efficiency, resistance stability, and recyclability.
EN 1822 is a magnificent and precise clock that has accurately told us the time for decades. Its true value lies not in adhering to today’s rules but in anticipating tomorrow’s needs. EN 1822’s mission is far from over; it stands at a historical crossroads, awaiting a magnificent transformation for the future.