The year 2000 will be a challenging year for testing air filters. The efficiency and classification of air filters shall be determined with respect to different particle sizes, both in the proposed revision of the European test method and in the recently approved U.S. test method. The European classification system is based on final pressure drops of the filters which are much higher than in real life. Life cycle cost and life cycle assessment analyses, together with hygienic aspects, limit the lifetime and final pressure drops in an application. To solve IAQ problems and restore confidence in air filters, it is important that a test method reflects a filter's behavior in service.