Welding fume regulation is tightening across Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia, the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fume will be replaced by stricter, enforceable Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) aligned with global standards in December. In New Zealand, WES remains a non-mandatory guideline rather than a legal limit for now, though WorkSafe NZ continues to review and tighten WES values and has stepped up education, inspection and enforcement activity around welding fume.

Background

In March 2026, both countries jointly adopted the new AS/NZS ISO 21904 Standard series, setting new performance and testing requirements for welding fume capture and extraction equipment.

In practical terms, extraction equipment used to be assessed mostly on filter performance alone — how well the filter itself removed particles. Now under AS/NZS ISO 21904, the whole assembled unit is evaluated: capture velocity at the torch or hood, airtightness of ducting, how well fume is contained before it reaches the filter, and overall system performance. This means older units that passed on filter media alone may not meet the new benchmark, even if the filter itself is still rated well.

Choosing Compliant Equipment

To meet the AS/NZS ISO 21904 Series, a system must demonstrate:

  • Filtration efficiency of at least 99% for welding fume (W3 class)
  • Verified performance of the complete unit, not just the filter media
  • Airflow monitoring with built-in warnings and alarms
  • Safe procedures for filter handling and dust disposal
  • Minimum capture velocities, with validated torch and hood performance

If you’re running manual welding stations without any, or below standard, local extraction ventilation, we recommend trialling the ABICOR BINZEL xFUME® ADVANCED W3.

Designed to meet the highest level of EN ISO 21904 Standards, the xFume Advanced W3 is a fully compliant, mobile, compact on-torch fume extraction unit for up to two adjacent MIG workstations. No ducting or major capital works needed, and welders will find the x-Fume Pro welding torches are as light and flexible as standard torches.

The big advantage with on-torch extraction is fume is extracted right at source as welding progresses, no need to stop welding to move an extraction hood, or fume escaping as welding moves away from a fixed extraction point.

Trial it and you will be astounded by the quantity of fume particulates collected!

Without Fume ExtractionWith Fume Extraction

Welding Fume Control Products Available from Welding Engineers

Further Reading

  • Comparing-Welding-Fume-Control-Methods

Assessing Efficiency of Fume Extraction Systems

June 12, 2025|

Assess welding fume extraction efficiency by analysing capture and separation performance, filter ratings, certification and maintenance needs.

Not sure if your current fume extraction equipment meets the new standards? Talk to our team about your setup and the latest compliance requirements, or arrange a trial of the ABICOR BINZEL xFUME® ADVANCED W3.