Contact NPPTL

Before you contact NPPTL, please review the answers to the most frequently asked questions:

• The NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) focus areas during the COVID-19 outbreak includes: (1) supporting existing NIOSH respirator approval holders to increase their ongoing production; (2) quickly evaluating new domestic respirator applications for approval; and (3) providing up-to-date PPE guidance. NIOSH is not waiving any approval requirements; however we are expediting the review of domestic approval holders.
• We anticipate that the administrative review and testing aspect of the approval process can be completed within 14 days for new domestic approval holders. Due to the pandemic, we are not prioritizing applications that include an international site qualification. Please review our website for additional NIOSH approval information.
• To verify if a respirator is NIOSH approved, please use our Certified Equipment List or our list of NIOSH-Approved filtering facepiece respirators.
• NIOSH does not approve or certify surgical masks or other PPE items (e.g., gowns, gloves, face shields). Medical masks and other types of PPE are cleared by the FDA. Please contact the FDA if you have questions relating to these items.