ProQares - Testing and Certification of Protective Equipment

ProQares offers testing and certification services for protective equipment against chemical and biological threats. Within our unique facilities we can work with the most toxic compounds known to man, including chemical warfare agents (CWA) and toxic industrial chemicals / materials (TIC/TIM). ProQares is renowned worldwide for its fast delivery of high-quality results and expert advice.

Protective clothing testing for the defence industry

ProQares offers standardised (TOP, NATO, MIL, ASTM, ISO) and custom-developed tests to evaluate the protective properties of clothing material (air-permeable, impermeable, membrane). This ranges from materials used in suits to boots and gloves. Test methods cover liquid CWA tests (convective flow, diffusive flow and droplets), vapour CWA, and permeation tests.

Standard and customised respirator testing

Standardised (NATO, NIOSH, BS, CE) and custom-developed tests can be performed on complete masks, filter canisters (carbon, aerosol), adsorbents (e.g. activated carbon) and other filter material. One of our unique capabilities is that we offer Smartman testing that is prescribed by NIOSH and British Standards. ProQares can also perform respirator fit testing (fit factor) and respirator field testing for real-time analysis of workplace protection factors.

Whole system verification tests for protection

ProQares can test the protection offered by the combined use of protective clothing and respiratory protection. This is done in whole system tests (WST), also called man in simulant tests (MIST). These tests indicate if the complete system offers the intended degree of protection, but also which parts form the weakest link in the system or show room for improvement. Based on these tests, ProQares can advise on the effects of certain design details on the overall degree of protection, and how design changes might affect this. Tests can be executed with a manikin or human subjects.

Collective protection system testing

Next to personal protection systems, ProQares can also test collective protection (ColPro) systems used in tents and buildings. ProQares can test the components of these systems (liner, filter blower unit, filter material) as well as the complete system.

Decontamination testing

ProQares offers testing services to evaluate the efficacy of decontaminant solutions and the performance of paint systems (in-vitro and small/medium scale). Services include testing and certification of chemical agent-resistant coatings (CARC) according to international standards (e.g. STANAG).

Protective equipment testing and certification experience

ProQares is a spin-out of TNO and builds on over 50 years of experience in testing and certification of protective equipment against toxic threats. Facilities and procedures used by ProQares are accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. ProQares works with many different customers worldwide, ranging from national governments to manufacturers of protective equipment for soldiers, first-responders and civilians. Activities range from requirement definition, component and subsystem validation, system verification, certification, quality control testing, and life-of-type testing.