A Japanese semiconductor fab's procurement spec says "JIS B 9927 compliant." You only have an EN 1822 report — can you ship?
The JIS Filter-Test Family
JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) filter standards are not a single document but a coordinated family. Understanding the structure saves confusion when a Japanese buyer throws multiple code numbers at you.
JIS Filter Test System Overview
From general HVAC to HEPA/ULPA, JIS uses different standard numbers for different segments — all ultimately aligning to ISO
| Standard | Name | Scope | ISO alignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| JIS B 9901 | General air filter performance test | Foundational methodology (superseded by B 9908) | — |
| JIS B 8330 | Fan testing & inspection methods | Fan ΔP / airflow reference (cited for filter ΔP) | — |
| JIS B 9908 | General ventilation air filter test | Pre-filter ~ medium (G1–F9 grades) | ISO 16890 |
| JIS B 9927 | HEPA/ULPA filter test method | HEPA / ULPA (H13–U17 grades) | ISO 29463 |
JIS B 9901 (General air filter performance test) and JIS B 8330 (Fan testing methods) are earlier-generation foundational test methods that provide the methodological basis for B 9908 / B 9927. New designs typically reference B 9908 + B 9927 directly, but legacy equipment maintenance documents may still cite B 9901.
Key members:
| JIS Code | Scope | Plain English |
|---|---|---|
| B 9927 | High-efficiency filter grading & testing (maps to ISO 29463 / EN 1822) | The "master spec" for HEPA / ULPA |
| B 9901 | High-efficiency filter performance test (legacy) | The original HEPA efficiency test method |
| B 8330 | General-ventilation filter performance test | Pre-filter / medium-filter testing (non-HEPA) |
| B 9908 | General-ventilation filter grading (maps to ISO 16890) | The "master spec" for office-HVAC grades |
In short: B 9927 covers HEPA and above; B 9908 covers general HVAC and below. B 9901 and B 8330 are older methods that many Japanese facilities still reference in existing SOPs.
Why B 9901 and B 8330 Are Still Referenced
B 9901 was one of Japan's earliest HEPA test standards, defining the DOP method and the basic particle-counting procedure. Its historical role parallels the American MIL-STD-282 — later standards all stand on its shoulders.
B 8330 covers general-ventilation filter testing, including:
- ▸Gravimetric (weight-difference) method: measuring dust mass captured
- ▸Particle-counting method: measuring size-resolved efficiency with an OPC
- ▸Pressure-drop test: measuring initial ΔP at rated airflow
Both have been technically superseded by B 9927 and B 9908, but Japanese industry has a characteristic trait: acceptance specs for existing equipment rarely change. Many semiconductor and pharma plant SOPs were written years ago and still cite B 9901, even though B 9927 now covers the same ground.
Practical implication: If a Japanese customer's spec cites B 9901, do not reply "that's obsolete." Issue a report compliant with B 9927 (= ISO 29463 equivalent), then add a note explaining that B 9927 encompasses all B 9901 test content.
B 9927 vs EN 1822 / ISO 29463
B 9927 is JIS's domestic transposition of ISO 29463, technically almost fully aligned:
JIS Filter Test Standards vs EN 1822
JIS B 9908 covers medium/low efficiency; JIS B 9927 covers HEPA/ULPA — B 9927 closely aligns with EN 1822 / ISO 29463
| Item | JIS B 9908 (med/low) | JIS B 9927 (HEPA/ULPA) | EN 1822 (ref.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter scope | General ventilation (pre → medium) | HEPA / ULPA only | EPA / HEPA / ULPA (E10–U17) |
| Test aerosol | Atmospheric / synthetic dust | DOP / PAO (MPPS) | DOP / PAO (MPPS) |
| Efficiency grading | Gravimetric + counting (by particle size) | 99.97% / 99.99% / 99.999%… | 99.95% / 99.995%… (at MPPS) |
| Scan leak test | — (N/A) | Per-unit scan for high grades | H14+ per-unit scan |
| Pressure drop | Initial + final ΔP | Initial ΔP at rated airflow | Initial ΔP |
| Relation to ISO 29463 | Not aligned | Directly aligned to ISO 29463 | ISO 29463 parent |
JIS B 9908 covers general ventilation filters (similar scope to EN 779 / ISO 16890). JIS B 9927 is for high-efficiency filters only. Together they cover the full spectrum from pre-filters to ULPA. JIS B 9901 / B 8330 are earlier-generation general filter test methods still occasionally referenced in Japan but largely superseded by B 9908 + B 9927 in new projects.
| Comparison Item | JIS B 9927 | EN 1822 / ISO 29463 |
|---|---|---|
| Grade codes | References ISO 29463 E10–U17 | E10–U17 |
| Test particle size | MPPS | MPPS |
| Scan test | Required from H13 | Required from H13 |
| Aerosol type | DEHS, PAO, etc. | DEHS, etc. |
| ΔP test conditions | Japanese conventional face velocities | European conventional face velocities |
| Report format | JIS format | EN / ISO format |
The real difference is not in the technical spec but in market convention:
- ▸Japanese customers expect reports bearing JIS code numbers, even if content matches ISO 29463
- ▸Pressure-drop tests may use Japanese conventional face velocities (e.g. 2.5 m/s) vs European values (e.g. 1.0 m/s)
- ▸Reports are typically in Japanese, formatted per JIS rules
How Japanese Fabs Specify Filters
When working with Japanese semiconductor fabs, you will encounter specs like:
Phrasing 1: "JIS B 9927 に準拠し、H14 以上" → Most straightforward. Equivalent to "ISO 29463 H14 or above." An EN 1822 H14 report is acceptable (attach a grade equivalence note).
Phrasing 2: "JIS B 9901 による DOP 法にて、透過率 0.005% 以下" → Legacy phrasing, but technically clear. A B 9927 / ISO 29463 test achieving 99.995% (= H14) satisfies it. Note in the report that "tested per B 9927, which encompasses the DOP-method content of B 9901."
Phrasing 3: "EN 1822 相当の性能を有すること" → The Japanese fab already knows EN 1822 is the global mainstream. Submit an EN 1822 or ISO 29463 report directly.
Phrasing 4: "IEST RP-CC001 Type C 以上" → Occasionally seen at Japan fabs tied to US parent companies. Submit an IEST report, or EN 1822 H13 with grade mapping.
Reading a Japanese Filter Manufacturer's Test Report
Major Japanese HEPA manufacturers (such as NIPPON MUKI) issue factory reports that typically include:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 型番 (Model) | Product model number |
| 等級 (Grade) | H13, H14, U15, etc. (ISO 29463 / JIS B 9927 codes) |
| 面風速 (Face velocity) | Test airflow, usually m/s or m³/min |
| 初期圧損 (Initial ΔP) | Initial pressure drop (Pa) |
| 全体効率 (Overall efficiency) | Overall efficiency (%) |
| MPPS | Most penetrating particle size (μm) |
| 局部透過率 (Local penetration) | Worst-point penetration from scan (%) |
| 試験方法 (Test method) | JIS / ISO reference |
If a report shows "overall efficiency" but no "local penetration" for an H13+ grade, the scan test may not have been performed — this does not comply with EN 1822 / ISO 29463 / JIS B 9927 requirements for H13 and above. Request a supplementary scan report.
For specialty testing of Japanese high-temperature HEPA filters, see 500°C Heat-Resistant HEPA Outgassing Test.
FAQ
Q: Is JIS B 9908 equivalent to ISO 16890?
A: Technically aligned. JIS B 9908 is the Japanese transposition of ISO 16890; the classification scheme (ePM1 / ePM2.5 / ePM10 / Coarse) is the same. Its relationship to B 9927 / EN 1822 is "different domain" — B 9908 covers MERV-grade general HVAC filters, B 9927 covers HEPA and above. They do not substitute for each other. More on ISO 16890 at ISO 16890 Standard Introduction.
Q: Can one filter hold both EN 1822 and JIS B 9927 certification?
A: Yes. Since the technical cores (MPPS testing, three-stage flow, grade codes) are nearly identical, a single filter tested in a lab meeting both standards' calibration requirements can receive dual reports. Most multinational filter manufacturers already do this.
Q: Does citing B 9901 in a spec mean the spec is outdated?
A: B 9901's test methods are technically covered by B 9927, but that does not make a spec referencing it "invalid." Correct approach: issue a B 9927 report with a note that B 9927 encompasses all B 9901 test content. Do not tell a Japanese customer "your spec is outdated" — in Japanese business culture, this causes friction.
Q: How is pressure drop defined in JIS filter testing?
A: JIS B 9927's ΔP test follows the same logic as EN 1822 / ISO 29463: measure static-pressure difference across the filter at rated face velocity. The difference is that Japanese conventional face velocities may differ from European ones (Japan often uses 2.5 m/s; Europe often uses 1.0 m/s), so the same filter may show different ΔP values on JIS vs EN reports — this is a test-condition difference, not a quality issue. Always confirm face velocity when comparing.
Q: Can I enter a Japanese fab without JIS certification?
A: Depends on the customer spec. If it says "JIS B 9927 compliant," strictly speaking a JIS report is needed. In practice, submitting an EN 1822 or ISO 29463 report with a grade-equivalence table is accepted by most Japanese buyers — they know the technical content is equivalent. The real gate is usually not "which standard's report" but "can your filter pass their incoming inspection."
