Respirator approval rules for designated substances expanded to recognize CSA Group certification

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

Starting mid-2026, respirators used under Ontario's Designated Substances regulation will be accepted if approved by NIOSH, by the CSA Group (a newly recognized certifier), or by another agency whose protection is judged equivalent to either NIOSH or CSA. Previously, only NIOSH approval or an equivalency opinion was required. For asbestos protection specifically, the filter designation codes are also being updated: the current 'N-100, R-100 or P-100' labelling will be replaced with expanded codes including 'CA-N100, CA-R100 and CA-P100' to align with CSA standards. Employers who supply workers with respirators for designated-substance work should verify that their equipment selections and purchasing specifications reflect the updated approval criteria and filter codes before the changes take effect.

Who this affects: employers in workplaces with designated substances · industrial hygienists and health and safety professionals · respirator suppliers and manufacturers · workers exposed to designated substances including asbestos