Lord Tyler asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they endorse the proposed new American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 161P, "Air Quality Within Commercial Aircraft Standard", which is currently being consulted upon. [HL1938]

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government does not endorse all aspects of this draft standard. In particular, the draft standard calls for fitting of air quality monitoring equipment to commercial aircraft. Such equipment is not required because commercial aircraft ventilation systems are designed to supply air of an acceptable standard. This is confirmed at initial certification and, thereafter, each aircraft is subject to scheduled maintenance actions to ensure those standards are maintained. Where problems are encountered in service these are investigated and changes or repairs are introduced as necessary.

7 November 2005