TheEuropean respirator standards refer to the filtering classification byEN 149,EN 14683, andEN 143, allEuropean standards of testing and marking requirements for respirators.^[1] FFP standard masks (where FFP stands for filtering facepiece)^[2] cover the nose, mouth and chin and may have inhalation and/or exhalation valves.^[1]

EN 149 defines three classes of such particle half masks, calledFFP1,FFP2 andFFP3, according to their filtering efficiency. It also classifies masks into "single shift use only" (not re-usable, markedNR) or "re-usable (more than one shift)" (markedR), while an additional marking letterD indicates that a mask has passed an optional clogging test usingdolomite dust. Suchmechanical filter respirators protect against the inhalation ofparticulates such asdustparticles, droplets, andaerosols.^[3] EN 14683 defines respirators for use in medical settings,^[4] whileEuropean standard EN 143 defines the 'P' classes of particle filters that can be attached to a face mask, which areP1,P2, andP3. The EN 143 filters are typically used on reusable respirators, likeelastomeric respirators.^[5]

EN 14387 is thechemical cartridge standard in Europe.

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 toN95 masks in the United States andKN95 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 permissiblepressure drop levels.^[6][7]

The EN 149 standard defines performance requirements for three classes ofparticle-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.

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, likeelastomeric respirators.^[5]

Both European standard EN 143 and EN 149 test filter penetration with drysodium chloride andparaffin oil aerosols after storing the filters at 70 °C (158 °F) and −30 °C (−22 °F) for 24 h each. The standards include testing mechanical strength, breathing resistance and clogging. EN 149 tests the inward leakage between the mask and face, where 10 human subjects perform 5 exercises each. Thetruncated mean of average leakage from 8 individuals must not exceed the aforementioned values.^{[9]: § 8.5}

It is the least filtering mask of the three.

• Aerosolfiltration percentage: 80% minimum
• Internal leak rate: maximum 22%^[8]

It is mainly used as adust mask (for example forDIY jobs).Dust can causelung diseases, such assilicosis,anthracosis,siderosis andasbestosis (in particular dust fromsilica,coal,iron ore,zinc,aluminium orcement are common particulate risks).

FFP2 face masks with and without exhalation valve

• Aerosol filtration percentage: 94% minimum
• Internal leak rate: maximum 8%^[8]

This mask offers protection in various areas such as theglass industry,foundry,construction,pharmaceutical industry andagriculture. It effectively stops powdered chemicals. This mask can also serve as protection againstrespiratory viruses such asavian influenza orsevere acute respiratory syndrome associated with the coronavirus (SARS), as well as against thebacteria ofpneumonic plague andtuberculosis.^[10] It is similar to the US-standardN95 respirator.^[6]

• Aerosol filtration percentage: 99% minimum
• Internal leak rate: maximum 2%^[8]

The FFP3 mask is the most filtering of the FFP masks. It protects against very fine particles such asasbestos andceramic. It does not protect against gases and in particularoxides of nitrogen.^[11]

EN 149 defines laboratory tests, field tests and certain requirements to ensure theconformity of the masks. The following points are analyzed:

• Packaging
• Materials: resistance to manipulation
• Practical performance test
• Leakage: total leakage inwards and penetration of the filter material

There are some European organizations that issue an examination certificate confirming conformity and specifying the characteristics of the products:

• INRS then APAVE inFrance
• INSPEC inGreat Britain
• Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance^[12] in Germany
• CIOP-PIB in Poland^[13]

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:

1. NR (not reusable): if the use of the filtering half-face mask is limited to one working day. It is not reusable.
2. R (reusable): if the filtering half-face mask can be used for more than one working day, so it is reusable.

Additional suffixes include:

• Anti-clogging NR masks (D). When the half mask has passed thedolomite dust test, a letter D can be added to indicate that the service life may exceed 8 h.^[14] Example: FFP3 NR D.
• Valve. The presence of a valve can be indicated by the letter V.^{[15][citation needed]}
• Particulate type. The letters S or L respectively specify the filtration of solid dust (NaCl-only) or liquid mist (paraffin oil). Example: FFP3 SLV.^[16]

Masks manufactured before the new standard was taken into account may still have the old marking.

FFP respirators are a type ofpersonal protective equipment (PPE). Here is the notice that should appear on every mask :

• Manufacturer's name
• Mask
• CE number of the certification body (only FFP3) + EN 149: 2009 + the mask class (FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3) + acronym (NR or R) (Note: in case of FFP1 the conformity assessment procedures are done by the manufacturer itself as per Annex IV (Module A)

The marking must comply with European Union Directive 89/686 / EEC^[8] on PPE. If any of these entries are missing, the mask will be considerednon-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 againstairborne transmission ofpathogens throughrespiratory 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]

This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding missing information.(September 2024)

EN 14387 is the Europeanchemical cartridge standard.^[18] It is similar in scope toANSIK13.1-1973.

Several regions use standards based on nearly identical tests and thresholds as those in EN 149, but with different markings:^[6]

• Russia (GOST R 12.4.191-2011): identical.
• South Korea (KMOEL - 2017–64): considered identical to pre-2009 version. FFP1 is called "2nd grade" or KF80, FFP2 "1st grade" or KF94, and FFP3 "special grade" or KF99.^[19]
• Australia and New Zealand (AS/NZ 1716:2012): similar grades with a different test agent, with the exception of FFP3 which has no equivalent. Grades are written simply "P".
• Brazil (ABNT/NBR 13698:2011): identical to pre-2009 version. Grades are written as "PFF".^[20]

Other regions use similar tests that (in parts) resemble more closely the42 CFR 84 requirements in the United States:

• Japan (JMHLW-Notification 214, 2018): similar grades with a different coding scheme for NR/R and S/L types. Written with a two-letter prefix D/R and S/L that maps to NR/R and S/L respectively. Leakage requirement not present.^[21]
• Taiwan (CNS 14755): D1/D2/D3 grades for 80/95/99 efficiency. No requirements for inward leakage.

• Gas mask
• NIOSH air filtration rating
• Respirator
• Surgical mask
• Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

• European Union
• Mechanical standards
• Respirators
• Medical masks

• Source attribution
• CS1 Brazilian Portuguese-language sources (pt-br)
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• All articles with unsourced statements
• Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020
• Articles to be expanded from September 2024
• All articles to be expanded