The European respirator standards refer to the filtering half mask classification by EN 149, EN 14683, and EN 143, all European standards of testing and marking requirements for respirators. FFP standard masks (where FFP stands for filtering facepiece)[1] cover the nose, mouth and chin and may have inhalation and/or exhalation valves.
EN 149 defines three classes of such particle half masks, called FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3, according to their filtering efficiency. It also classifies masks into "single shift use only" (not re-usable, marked NR) or "re-usable (more than one shift)" (marked R), while an additional marking letter D indicates that a mask has passed an optional clogging test using dolomite dust. Such mechanical filter respirators protect against the inhalation of particulates such as dust particles, droplets, and aerosols.[2] EN 14683 defines respirators for use in medical settings,[3] while European standard EN 143 defines the 'P' classes of particle filters that can be attached to a face mask, which are P1, P2, and P3. The EN 143 filters are typically used on reusable respirators, like elastomeric respirators.[4]
Almost identical tests (but different markings) are used in Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Brazil. Similar standards are used in the United States, China and Japan. For example, EN 149 FFP2 masks have similar performance requirements to N95 masks in the United States and KN95 filters of China, and EN 149 FFP3 masks have similar performance requirements to N99 masks in the United States. However EN 149 test requirements differ somewhat from the U.S./Chinese/Japanese standards: EN 149 requires an additional paraffin oil (paraffinum perliquidum) aerosol test and it tests at a range of different flow rates and defines several associated and permissible pressure drop levels.[5] [6]
The EN 149 standard defines performance requirements for three classes of particle-filtering half masks: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. The protection provided by an FFP2 (or FFP3) mask includes the protection provided by a mask of the lower-numbered classes.
A mask conforming to the standard must have its class written on it, along with the name of the standard and its year of publication, as well as any applicable option codes, e.g. “EN 149:2001 FFP1 NR D”. Some manufacturers use in addition the colour of the elastic band to identify the mask class, however, the EN 149 standard does not specify any such colour coding and different manufacturers have used different colour schemes.
| Class[7] | Filter penetration limit (at 95 L/min air flow) | Inward leakage | Typical elastic band | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFP1 | Filters at least 80% of airborne particles | <22% | Yellow | |
| FFP2 | Filters at least 94% of airborne particles | <8% | Blue or White | |
| FFP3 | Filters at least 99% of airborne particles | <2% | Red |
European standard EN 143 defines the 'P' classes of particle filters that can be attached to a face mask. These filters are typically used on reusable respirators, like elastomeric respirators.[8]
| Standard | Class | Filter type | Filter penetration limit (at 95 L/min air flow) | Inward leakage | Typical elastic band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN 14683 | Type I | Mask | Less than 98% droplet filtration, intended for use by patients | N/A | N/A |
| Type II | Not fluid-resistant, 98% droplet filtration, intended for use by healthcare workers in droplet-free environments | ||||
| Type IIR | Fluid-resistant, 98% droplet filtration, surgical | ||||
| EN 143 | P1 | Attachment | Filters at least 80% of airborne particles | N/A | N/A |
| P2 | Filters at least 94% of airborne particles | ||||
| P3 | Filters at least 99.95% of airborne particles |
It is the least filtering mask of the three.
It is mainly used as a dust mask (for example for DIY jobs). Dust can cause lung diseases, such as silicosis, anthracosis, siderosis and asbestosis (in particular dust from silica, coal, iron ore, zinc, aluminium or cement are common particulate risks).
This mask offers protection in various areas such as the glass industry, foundry, construction, pharmaceutical industry and agriculture. It effectively stops powdered chemicals. This mask can also serve as protection against respiratory viruses such as avian influenza or severe acute respiratory syndrome associated with the coronavirus (SARS), as well as against the bacteria of pneumonic plague and tuberculosis.[10] It is similar to the US-standard N95 respirator.
The FFP3 mask is the most filtering of the FFP masks. It protects against very fine particles such as asbestos and ceramic. It does not protect against gases and in particular oxides of nitrogen.[11]
EN 149 defines laboratory tests, field tests and certain requirements to ensure the conformity of the masks. The following points are analyzed:
There are some European organizations that issue an examination certificate confirming conformity and specifying the characteristics of the products:
With the publication of the 2009 version of the standard, the designation of the respiratory protection mask is now "particulate filtering half mask". The abbreviation NR or R is added after FFP1, FFP2, FFP3:
Additional suffixes include:
Masks manufactured before the new standard was taken into account may still have the old marking.
FFP respirators are a type of personal protective equipment (PPE). Here is the notice that should appear on every mask :
The marking must comply with European Union Directive 89/686 / EEC[7] on PPE. If any of these entries are missing, the mask will be considered non-compliant.
EN 149 tests the ability of masks to protect the wearers against inhaling liquid and dry aerosols. It makes no statement about, and does not specifically test the suitability of such masks for, infection control against airborne transmission of pathogens through respiratory droplets. Nevertheless, FFP2 and FFP3 masks are commonly used for this purpose in medical practice. A researcher at the MRC Biostatistics Unit at Cambridge University claimed in 2021 that switching to FFP3 in Addenbrooke hospital in Cambridge may have cut ward-based Covid infection of staff to zero.[17]
See main article: Mechanical filter respirator. Several regions use standards based on nearly identical tests and thresholds as those in EN 149, but with different markings:
Other regions use similar tests that (in parts) resemble more closely the 42 CFR 84 requirements in the United States: