EU – CEN Publishes Workshop Agreement on Community Face Coverings

Vol. 1167 | 19 Jun 2020

The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has published a workshop agreement document on face coverings. The CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) document - CWA 17553 Community Face Coverings - Guide to Minimum Requirements, Methods of Testing and Use – has been made freely available to interested parties and a link to the document is below:
ftp://ftp.cencenelec.eu/EN/ResearchInnovation/CWA/CWA17553_2020.pdf

These requirements have been prepared based on an urgent request from the European Commission to CEN as a response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in Europe.

The guidelines have been produced to provide guidance on the minimum requirements for the design, production and performance assessment of community face coverings (barrier masks) which are intended for consumers.

There are requirements of key parameters such as design, filtration efficiency and breathability, with tests recommended to assess the performance included in the document. It also contains details of washing conditions, markings and instructions for use.

The community masks, which are referenced in the guidance document, are not included in the scope of the personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or medical devices regulations. There are based on the designs of masks which are being recommended by national governments in their strategies for supporting the gradual lifting of the confinement measures in place. The European Commission has identified the urgent need for a harmonised and consistent degree of safety in community face coverings.

A link to the press release published from CEN is below:
https://www.cencenelec.eu/news/press_releases/Pages/PR-2020-004.aspx

For additional information please contact:

Mike Redshaw
mike.redshaw@intertek.com
+44 1942 265700