Suva takes 13 defective FFP2 masks off the market

"It becomes dangerous when people wear inadequate FFP2 respirators and think they are in a false sense of security," emphasises André Meier, Head of the Lucerne Occupational Safety and Health Department at Suva. For this reason, Suva initiated sales bans and recalls in 2021 for 13 products that showed insufficient protective efficacy in laboratory testing*. These defective masks were removed from the market.

The responsibility lies with the distributor

According to Suva, the distributors (manufacturers, importers, suppliers) are obliged to implement the sales bans and recalls. "When I sell a respirator, I am responsible for its quality," explains Meier. Thus, the responsibility for the quality of the respirators lies with the distributor.

Significant increase in quality

The quality of FFP2 respirators currently available on the market has risen significantly compared with the situation in July 2020, according to the accident insurer. According to the data, of the 59 products checked, 13 had an insufficient protective effect (22%). The chance of acquiring a defective FFP2 respirator on the market was therefore almost three times smaller than one and a half years ago.

According to Suva, in addition to quality, the availability of respirators on the Swiss market has also increased in recent months. While there were still supply bottlenecks in the summer of 2020, products of all FFP mask types are now available from stock.

Insufficient mask quality at the start of the pandemic

With the onset of the Corona pandemic, the market for respirators was literally flooded with new products. Unfortunately, defective ones were also offered. In laboratory tests carried out in July 2020, Suva found that 60 per cent of the FFP2 respirators tested provided inadequate protection (Media release from 17 July 2020  ). Already at that time, the accident insurance initiated sales bans and recalls and intensified the spot checks of FFP2 respirators in the following months.

*For data protection reasons, Suva is not allowed to publish the results of the laboratory tests..

When does the FFP2 mask protect me?

 FFP2 respiratory protection masks generally offer better protection than hygiene masks. It is important that it is worn correctly. The following points must be observed:

• When selecting respirators, make sure they are compliant.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct use of the FFP2 respirator.
• In particular, the mask must fit closely to the face (stubble already impairs the protective effect) and the nose clip must be adapted to the shape of the face.
• The inside of the mask must be clean. Change the mask if it becomes dirty. 

Further information:

Factsheet "How to recognize good quality respirators".  

Factsheet "Selection and use of respirators and breathing apparatus".