Overview
EN 13205-4:2014 (CEN) defines a laboratory performance test based on comparison of concentrations for assessing the performance of aerosol samplers used in health-related workplace exposure monitoring. The standard specifies how to compare a candidate sampler against one or more validated samplers in prescribed laboratory test atmospheres to verify conformity with EN 13205-1:2014 requirements. It applies to samplers intended to measure inhalable, thoracic and respirable particle fractions in workplace air.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: compare concentrations sampled by a candidate sampler and validated sampler(s) under controlled laboratory atmospheres.
- Influence variables addressed in testing:
- Particle size distributions (linked to inhalable/thoracic/respirable conventions)
- Wind speed and wind direction
- Aerosol composition
- Collected mass or internally separated mass
- Sampler-to-sampler variability and flow-rate excursions
- Performance metrics and calculations:
- Sampler bias and optional correction factor (manufacturer-prescribed or set to 1.00)
- Identification and quantification of sources of uncertainty (test aerosol concentration, validated sampler, candidate sampler bias, individual variability, nominal flow rate excursions)
- Procedures for computing combined standard uncertainty and expanded uncertainty (the standard replaces the older “accuracy” concept with expanded uncertainty to align with ENV 13005)
- Experimental and reporting requirements:
- Test facility and experimental design details
- Number of repeats, numbers of samplers, and test aerosol conditions
- Data analysis, presentation of results and a user-focused summary in the test report
Note: EN 13205-4 limits tests to conditions where EN 481 conventions are defined (e.g., inhalable convention is undefined above particle sizes >100 µm or wind speeds >4 m/s).
Applications and who uses it
- Sampler manufacturers - to validate and document laboratory performance of new or modified aerosol samplers.
- Testing laboratories - to design and execute standardized performance tests and produce compliant test reports.
- Occupational hygienists and employers - to understand sampler capabilities and limitations for workplace exposure assessments.
- Regulators and standards bodies - to harmonize sampler evaluation and support conformity assessment.
Practical benefits include reliable verification of sampler performance, guidance for correction factors, and transparent uncertainty estimates to support defensible exposure measurements.
Related standards
- EN 13205-1:2014 - General requirements for sampler performance assessment
- EN 13205-2:2014 - Lab test based on sampling efficiency
- EN 13205-5 / EN 13205-6 - Workplace and transport/handling tests
- EN 481 - Size fraction definitions (inhalable, thoracic, respirable)
- EN 1540 - Terminology
- EN ISO 13137 - Pumps for personal sampling
Keywords: EN 13205-4:2014, aerosol samplers, sampler performance, workplace exposure, laboratory performance test, sampling uncertainty, inhalable thoracic respirable.
