Compressed air test according to ISO 8573
Process integrity and product safety with tested compressed air in accordance with ISO 8573
With our compressed air testing service, we check the compressed air quality in accordance with ISO 8573 for the food and beverage industry. With our tests, we support our customers in ensuring optimum compressed air quality in the food industry through effective filtration, for example where air comes into direct or indirect contact with products.
We use accredited methods to test compressed air at critical production points for contamination with water and oil, thus enabling safe, compliant compressed air in the production of food and beverages.
Benefits
Compressed air test according to ISO 8573 – Your customer benefits at a glance:Food safety according to ISO 8573
Check the purity of your compressed air to ensure food safety, prevent contamination and demonstrate compliance with ISO standards during audits and customer inspections.Clear documentation
Get clear reports that simplify IFS, BRC and ISO audits and save your quality teams worldwide preparation time every year.Avoid downtime
Identify risks to compressed air quality at an early stage to avoid unplanned downtime, product recalls and costly production interruptions.Smarter maintenance
Use measurement data to optimize filter changes, reduce unnecessary maintenance and make informed technical decisions about filtration in compressed air systems.Process reliability
Gain peace of mind that compressed air meets process requirements, protect your brand reputation and realize consistent, high-quality beverage production.
Our ISO 8573 compressed air test: how it works
Our ISO 8573 compressed air quality testing follows a clear, efficient process. It minimizes production interruptions while providing reliable data for food and beverage safety, regulatory compliance and operational improvements.
1. Coordination appointment of the current situation (online / by phone)
We start with a short phone call to understand your production processes, compressed air applications, quality goals and current challenges. This ensures that the ISO 8573 audit focuses on critical use points, audit requirements and real operational risks - saving time on site and delivering results that are directly relevant to your plant.
2. On-site ISO 8573 testing
Our experts carry out on-site compressed air testing in accordance with ISO 8573. We measure the water content using a dew point test, the oil and aerosol content and the pressure loss within the system. The measurements are carried out at selected points of use to reflect the actual operating conditions in food and beverage production.
3 Report and recommendations
You will receive a clear report with the results of the cleanliness class according to ISO 8573 and an assessment with regard to the requirements for food and beverages. We translate the measurement data into practical recommendations that can support regulatory compliance, reduce contamination risks, improve maintenance efficiency and extend the life of filters and compressed air systems.
Contact
Do you still have questions? We will be happy to help you.
Contact our team for tailored filtration solutions.
sterileprocessfiltration[at]hengst.deContact us for compressed air quality measurement
Read our FAQs on ISO 8573 compressed air quality, cleanliness classes, contamination testing and requirements for safe, compliant food and beverage production. If you need help, contact our experts.
What is ISO 8573?
ISO 8573 is an international standard that defines the quality of compressed air. It classifies air purity based on contamination by particles, water and oil. ISO 573-1 specifies purity classes, while other parts define measurement methods. In food and beverage production, the standard helps to assess whether compressed air is suitable for safe, hygienic and compliant use.
What does ISO 8573 mean for the food and beverage industry?
In food and beverage production, compressed air can affect microbiological safety. The ISO 8573 standard is particularly relevant for the control of water (dew point) and residual oil, as both promote bacterial growth. Controlling these contaminants reduces hygiene risks, supports product safety and helps to meet the requirements of audits and regulations.
How does ISO 8573 define the quality of compressed air and the limit values for impurities?
ISO 8573 defines compressed air quality on the basis of cleanliness classes for particles, water and oil. Each class specifies maximum permissible limit values. The water dew point and residual oil content in particular must be measured carefully, as they have a direct impact on system hygiene, corrosion, bacterial growth and long-term process stability.
What types of contamination are covered by the ISO 8573 compressed air quality test?
ISO 8573 covers solid particles, water (moisture or condensate) and oil contaminants (oil vapor and aerosols). Our tests focus on dew point and residual oil, as these contaminants are the main causes of microbiological growth and hygiene risks in food and beverage applications.
How are the purity classes according to ISO 8573-1 explained?
The cleanliness classes according to ISO 8573-1 are defined using a three-part code for particles, water and oil. Each value represents a maximum degree of contamination. In hygiene-critical applications, low water and oil classes are particularly important, as moisture and oil can create conditions that favor microbial contamination.
Which ISO 8573-1 class is required for food and beverage production?
ISO 8573-1 does not define a universal class for food and beverage production. The requirements depend on the respective process and product, the risk, the place of use and the product contact. Applications with hygiene relevance usually require strict limit values for water and oil. These are often more critical than particle classes, which are usually treated by standard filtration.
How can the compressed air contamination test verify compliance with the requirements of ISO 8573?
When testing compressed air contamination, the actual dew point and residual oil content are measured at relevant points of use and compared with the limit values of ISO 8573-1. This provides objective proof that the compressed air conditions do not promote bacterial growth and supports hygiene concepts, compliance with audit specifications and well-founded maintenance decisions.
