The development of air filtration technologies for cleanroom applications is increasingly shaped by sustainability requirements and evolving regulatory frameworks. Key drivers include the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), rising energy costs, and the introduction of stricter environmental legislation. The EPBD mandates that all new non‑public buildings must meet the criteria of (nearly) zero‑energy buildings, while regulatory bodies simultaneously intensify airborne contamination control requirements in classified cleanroom environments with the aim of reducing their overall carbon footprint.

These factors collectively drive the need for continuous enhancement of cleanroom process performance while augmenting operational reliability, particularly in environments characterized by extensive use of chemical substances. Industrial guidelines across multiple sectors require the rigorous design of manufacturing processes to minimize the risk of cross‑contamination. Notable examples include FDA and EU GMP regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry, as well as SEMI E44 standards applied within the microelectronics sector.

This presentation illustrates how current regulatory developments influence material selection, manufacturing technologies, and product labeling in cleanroom filtration. A central focus is placed on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) as instruments enabling transparent and standardized environmental assessments. Furthermore, the transition to PFAS‑free materials is discussed as a crucial step toward eliminating persistent pollutants, alongside the REACH regulation and the implementation of tightening guidelines to ensure the safe management of chemical substances. Through practical examples, we demonstrate how these regulatory requirements foster innovation while simultaneously presenting technical and economic challenges for manufacturers and end users. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of emerging regulatory trends and to examine their implications for the development of future cleanroom filtration technology.