The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published an interim final rule to extend the phase-in period until six months after the date that the first approval is granted to certain closed-circuit escape respirator (CCER) models. In March 2012, HHS published a final rule establishing new NIOSH standards for the certification of CCERs, designed to take effect over a three-year transition period. HHS says extending the concluding date for the transition is necessary to allow sufficient time for respirator manufacturers to meet the demands of affected industries.
