Mask FFP2 Standard

FFP2 masks refer to masks that meet the European (CEEN149:2001) standards. The European standards for protective masks are divided into three levels: FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3. The difference from the American standard is that its detection flow rate adopts 95L/min, and DOP oil is used to generate dust. EN 149:2001 +A1:2009 is the testing standard for export to the European Union, and the export of masks to the European Union must apply for the European Union CE certification.

CE certification

CE certification is the [main requirement" that constitutes the core of the European directives. It was formulated and implemented in the [Resolution on New Methods of Technical Coordination and Standards" issued by the European Community (85/C136/01) on May 7, 1985. The purpose of the directive "main requirements" has a specific meaning, that is, it is limited to the basic safety requirements of products that do not endanger the safety of humans, animals and goods, rather than general quality requirements. The coordination directive only specifies the main requirements, and the general directive requirements are standard tasks.

In the EU market, the "CE" mark is a compulsory certification mark. Whether it is a product produced by an EU enterprise or a product produced in another country, if you want to circulate freely on the EU market, you must affix the "CE" mark to indicate the product It complies with the basic requirements of the EU Directive "New Methods of Technical Coordination and Standardization". This is a mandatory requirement of EU law on products.

The significance of the CE mark is to use the CE acronym as a symbol to indicate that the product affixed with the CE mark meets the essential requirements of the relevant European directives, and is used to verify that the product has passed the corresponding conformity assessment procedures and the manufacturer`s The declaration of conformity has truly become a pass for the product to be allowed to enter the European Community market.

The relevant directives require industrial products to be affixed with the CE mark. Without the CE mark, they shall not be sold on the market. Products that have been affixed with the CE mark and entered the market shall be ordered to be retracted from the market if they are found to not meet the safety requirements, and continue to violate the relevant CE marking requirements of the directive , Will be restricted or prohibited from entering the EU market or forced to withdraw from the market.

The CE mark is not a quality mark, it is a mark that represents that the product has complied with the European safety/health/environmental protection/sanitation standards and directives. All products sold in the EU must be marked with the CE mark.

Testing Equipment

FFP2 mask detection, whether it is a European standard or an American standard, is designated to use the American TSI-8130 Automated Filter Testers instrument for detection. The American standard uses the NaCl method for the N type, the R type uses the DOP method, and the European standard uses the DOP method.

The TSI-8130 instrument uses the NaCl method: the instrument can automatically generate salt particles, the average diameter of the particles is 0.2μm (aggregate average diameter 0.26μm, arithmetic average diameter 0.07μm) after the sample is set to pass through the sample under a certain flow, the instrument automatically prints out Flow, resistance, transmittance.

DOP method uses DOP oil to generate dust. The diameter of DOP oil particles is the aggregate average particle diameter of 0.33 μm and the count average diameter of 0.20 μm.

Filter Material

Different FFP2 masks use different filter materials. On the one hand, the filtering effect is related to the particle size of the particles, and it is also affected by whether the particles contain oil. FFP2 masks are usually classified according to filtration efficiency and whether they are suitable for filtering oily particles. Oil-free particles such as dust, water-based mist, paint mist, oil-free fumes (welding fumes), microorganisms, etc. Although the filter materials of "non-oily particulate matter" are more common, they are not suitable for oily particulate matter, such as oil mist, oil fume, pitch fume, coke oven fume, etc. The filter material suitable for oily particles can also be used for non-oily particles.

Clean

The outer layer of FFP2 masks tends to accumulate a lot of dust, bacteria and other dirt in the outside air, while the inner layer blocks the exhaled bacteria and saliva. Therefore, the two sides cannot be used alternately, otherwise the dirt on the outer layer will be directly exposed. It becomes a source of infection by inhaling the body when it is close to the face. When you are not wearing the mask, you should fold it into a clean envelope, fold the side close to your nose and mouth, and don't just stuff it in your pocket or hang it around your neck.

FFP2 masks are similar to N95 and KN95 masks and cannot be cleaned. Because it gets wet, the mask will release static electricity, and it will not be able to absorb dust with a diameter of less than 5um.

High-temperature steam disinfection is similar to cleaning. Water vapor will also cause static discharge and cause the mask to fail.

If you have a UV lamp at home, you can consider using a UV lamp to sterilize the surface of the mask to prevent accidental contact with the surface of the mask and cause pollution. High temperature can also be sterilized, but masks are usually made of flammable materials. High temperature may also cause masks to burn and cause safety hazards. It is not recommended to use ovens and other facilities for high-temperature disinfection.