NPPTL Respirator Assessments to Support the COVID-19 Response

CDC has updated the guidance regarding Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators, including the removal of crisis capacity strategies involving international and decontaminated respirators.

This guidance acknowledges that the supply and availability of NIOSH Approved respirators has increased significantly over the last several months. Accordingly, the crisis capacity strategy that permitted healthcare use of non-NIOSH Approved respirators developed by manufacturers who are not NIOSH approval holders when an N95 respirator is recommended to be worn, has been removed as a crisis strategy. Workplaces should make every effort to provide NIOSH Approved N95 respirators for respiratory protection.

As a consequence of the removal of these crisis capacity strategies, NPPTL will no longer conduct any of the Respirator Assessments to Support the COVID-19 Response.