This particular standard is applicable to the basic safety and essential performance of sleep apnoea breathing therapy equipment, hereafter referred to as ME equipment, intended to alleviate the symptoms of patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea by delivering a therapeutic breathing pressure to the patient. Sleep apnoea breathing therapy equipment is intended for use in the home healthcare environment by lay operators as well as in professional healthcare institutions.

This particular standard excludes sleep apnoea breathing therapy equipment intended for use with neonates.

This particular standard is applicable to me equipment or an ME system intended for those patients who are not dependent on mechanical ventilation such as patients with central sleep apnoea.

This particular standard is also applicable to those accessories intended by their manufacturer to be connected to sleep apnoea breathing therapy equipment, where the characteristics of those accessories can affect the basic safety or essential performance of the sleep apnoea breathing therapy equipment.