---
title: "EN 14181 / EN 13284 (CEMS / particulate)"
description: "EN 14181 sets the European quality-assurance levels (QAL1, QAL2, QAL3 and AST) for continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) installed on stationary industrial sources. EN 13284 covers manual reference methods for low-range particulate determination — typically used as the reference method against which the CEMS is calibrated."
canonical_url: "https://sylio.co/glossary/en-14181-en-13284"
last_updated: "2026-06-28T02:29:38.351Z"
---

**EN 14181** sets the European quality-assurance levels (QAL1, QAL2, QAL3 and AST) for continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) installed on stationary industrial sources. **EN 13284** covers manual reference methods for low-range particulate determination — typically used as the reference method against which the CEMS is calibrated.

## Why they matter operationally

Industrial operators in the EU must:

- Install QAL1-certified CEMS instruments
- Perform QAL2 site calibration against EN 13284 reference measurements
- Conduct QAL3 daily drift checks
- Schedule AST (Annual Surveillance Test) once a year

Performance of upstream particulate-control equipment ([ESP](/glossary/electrostatic-precipitator), [baghouse](/glossary/baghouse)) shows up in the CEMS trace. Any drift in collection efficiency from fouling immediately appears as a rising particulate signal — making the case for active cleaning visible to operators in near-real-time.

## Related terms

- [Opacity](/glossary/opacity)
- [Electrostatic precipitator](/glossary/electrostatic-precipitator)
- [Baghouse](/glossary/baghouse)