France Increases Filtration Efficiency Requirements for Face Masks
A look at the changes France has recently introduced regarding face covering masks.
- (1888PressRelease) March 10, 2021 - In response to the latest changes in the COVID-19 pandemic, the French Government has recently issued a decree that recommends only face covering masks with a filtration efficiency of at least 90% be used.
Issued on January 27, 2021, with the Cross Ministries Note updated on January 28, 2021, Decree No. 2021-76 takes on board the recommendations of the Public Health High Council (Haut conseil de la Santé publique). It states:
• Face masks are mandatory in all public areas
• Compliant and non-compliant masks must be separated at the point of sale
• Distributors must inform consumers when masks comply, or not, with the recommendations
• Face masks must comply with one of the following category requirements:
o Surgical masks are defined as medical devices and must conform to EN 14683+AC:2019 (or equivalent)
o Imported masks, with surgical shape, excluding textile fabric masks, which performs at a level that is at least equal to those mentioned in the fourth bullet point
o Mask FFP2 or FFP3 (EN 149 or equivalent) without respiratory valves
o -Masks for Non-Sanitary Use (UNS) complying with:
- Particles filtration efficiency greater than 90% (3 microns)
- Breathability allowing wearing the mask for 4 hours
- Air permeability greater than 96L/m²/s (depression 100Pa)
- Good fit of the mask on the face, no sagittal seam
- If reusable, more than 5 washes
Stakeholders should be aware that these requirements must be checked by an approved third-party laboratory in accordance with the conditions in the Decree. It should also be noted that reusable textile masks can still be used if they comply with requirements in the decree.
The main purpose and requirements are similar with previous version of Cross Ministries Note:
• Care cycle – 40°C (instead of 60), can be machine washed or handwashed, drying can be air dry or tumble dry and ironing depends on manufacturer's instruction
• Filtration efficiency must be greater than 90% (strictly)
• Test method remains DGA method Annex 2
• Updated logo must be affixed to product, label or packaging
• Consumers must be given relevant information prior to purchasing, even for online and mail order sales
• Previous logo for Cat 1 can be used until the December 31, 2021 for goods that have been produced or imported before March 1, 2021
• Mask Cat 2 can no longer be sold as Masque Grand Public
• Data record requested by DGE (on their website) is applicable until March 31, 2021. The obligation ceases to be applicable after April 1, 2021, but may remain voluntary to allow market surveyance and customs to check compliance
• Masks with "Grand Public filtration supérieure à 90%" must clearly be marked stating they cannot be washed over 50 times.
The update follows various mutations of the coronavirus, which may be more contagious and/or more dangerous.
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