ISO 5361:2016 provides essential performance and safety requirements for oro-tracheal and naso-tracheal tubes and tracheal tube connectors. Tracheal tubes with walls reinforced with metal or nylon, tracheal tubes with shoulders, tapered tracheal tubes, tracheal tubes with means for suctioning, monitoring or delivery of drugs or other gases, and the many other types of tracheal tubes devised for specialized applications are included in this International Standard, as many specialized tracheal tubes are now commonly used, and all share similar essential requirements as defined in this International Standard.

Endobronchial (including tracheobronchial) tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and supralaryngeal airways are excluded from the scope of ISO 5361:2016.

Tracheal tubes intended for use with flammable anaesthetic gases or agents, lasers, or electrosurgical equipment are outside the scope of ISO 5361:2016.