This International Standard specifies requirements for suction catheters made of plastic materials and intended for use in suction of the respiratory tract. Specialized suction catheters, e.g. those with more than one lumen and suction catheters without a terminal orifice, are excluded from the scope of this International Standard. Angled-tip suction catheters (e.g. Coudé catheters) and suction catheters with aspirator collectors are not considered to be specialized and are therefore included in the scope of this International Standard.