FFP2 masks certified for the first time

The demand for respiratory protection masks is growing rapidly and an end to this trend is not foreseeable in connection with the Corona pandemic. Against this background, the testing service provider TÜV Rheinland has certified respiratory protection masks of protection class FFP2 for the European market for the first time. The certificate was awarded to EPG-Pausa GmbH from Rhineland-Palatinate as the manufacturer. The company produces the respiratory protection masks. The certification by TÜV Rheinland is based on the specifications of the authoritative Regulation 2016/425 for so-called Personal protective equipment.

Ralf Scheller, Member of the Board of Management of TÜV Rheinland AG: "At the moment, the demand for respiratory protection masks is extremely high due to the Corona pandemic. These masks are designed to protect health. This makes it all the more important to focus on safety and quality when testing products. As an independent testing service provider, we want to help ensure that products are available that meet the requirements of standards and regulations as well as those of the market." Masks certified by TÜV Rheinland can be identified by the "CE 1008" marking, Scheller continues.

Comprehensive testing

The new FFP2 masks were tested by TÜV Rheinland experts in the company's own special laboratories. As part of the required tests, the material, packaging, product labels and descriptions, and in particular the permeability of the filter medium, breathing resistance and leakage of the masks are checked in detail, as the testing service provider writes in its media release. The focus is on the effectiveness of the protection. The company writes: "Particle-filtering masks (Filtering Face Piece, FFP) are also referred to as FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3 masks, depending on the permeability of the filter. The filtering performance of the mask material is tested against the European standard DIN EN 149 for protection against particulate pollutants with aerosols: FFP2 masks, as TÜV Rheinland has now certified, must filter at least 94 percent of the aerosols in the test. FFP masks are used for self-protection against droplets and aerosols. Unlike medical face masks, such masks are not considered medical devices, but personal protective equipment. Such products may only be certified by a Notified Body recognized by the European Union (EU). In the present case, this is TÜV Rheinland InterCert for the EU."

Always look for CE marking

With its global network of laboratories, TÜV Rheinland is an important point of contact for all companies that manufacture or sell particle-filtering masks. The independent testing service provider has internationally specialized laboratories for testing personal protective equipment. After successful certification, manufacturers can CE mark their products and place them on the European market as personal protective equipment. For certification by the experts of the international testing service provider, the products must comply with the requirements of the relevant Regulation 2016/425 for personal protective equipment, according to the media release.

With the CE mark, manufacturers themselves declare that their product, in this case the respirators, meets all the legal requirements of the EU. The CE mark is followed by a four-digit number indicating the respective testing organisation - at TÜV Rheinland, for example, "1008".

Buyers should also make sure, among other things, that there is a manufacturer's label on the packaging or product, as the testing service provider points out. The masks must also have an expiration date. This date indicates the minimum period for which the filter performance is guaranteed when used properly. Finally, the instructions for use must be followed exactly so that the masks can develop their protective effect ideally.

Source: www.tuv.com/psa