The FPS Public Health is focusing on indoor air quality. To achieve better air quality, it can be worthwhile purifying it. That's why the FPS has launched a process to recognise purification systems. Purifying the air to protect your health has never been easier!
What's the point of purifying the air?
Indoor air quality can sometimes leave much to be desired. Pollutants can contaminate the air, leading to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and respiratory problems. Ventilating and airing enclosed spaces already helps to improve air quality. But to eliminate as many pollutants as possible, or very specific pollutants, purifiers can be installed. They capture and/or inactivate the pollutants in the air and provide purified, and therefore healthier, air.
An advanced recognition process
The recognition process ensures that people who want to improve the indoor air quality in a room have access to the best equipment on the market. The process takes place in several stages: purifier manufacturers submit a dossier for the systems they wish to have recognised. The FPS then assesses these systems on two levels:
- High efficiency: systems must be able to eliminate at least 99.5% and even 99.95% of viruses present in the air;
- Safety: the systems cannot emit by-products that are harmful to health during use.
Once the systems have been recognised by the FPS, they receive a label to be displayed on their packaging or online sales sites.
A list of all the recognised systems can be found on the FPS website, along with their characteristics.
Applications for recognition can be submitted by purifier manufacturers via the Air Purifiers application from 5 June 2024. Purifiers are then automatically added to the list as soon as they have been recognised by the FPS.
If you have any questions about submitting an application, please consult the practical guide for manufacturers.
Choosing a purification system made easy
If you would like to install an air purification system, simply follow the steps below:
- Start by consulting the FPS’spractical guide [FR, NL]. This guide will help you define the type of system that suits your situation and your ambitions.
- Then consult thelist of recognised systems to choose a suitable system. This list will be regularly updated with new recognised purification systems.
- Finally, FPS labelswill be displayed on the packaging and/or online sales sites of recognised systems.
All this information makes it possible to choose the best purification system according to the user's situation and ambitions. Some purifiers are more appropriate than others, depending on the specific characteristics of the site and the pollutants to be treated. Other systems not recognised by the FPS may still be purchased, but their effectiveness and safety cannot be guaranteed.
All the information on air purification, as well as the various tools, is available on the FPS Public Health website.