The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning that sub-standard Chinese face masks are flooding the market, which should not be used as personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace.
“A substantial number of face masks, claiming to be of KN95 standards, provide an inadequate level of protection and are likely to be poor quality products accompanied by fake or fraudulent paperwork,” said the HSE. “These face masks may also be known as filtering facepiece respirators.”
The HSE safety alert entitled: ‘Use of face masks designated KN95’ explains that KN95 is a performance rating under the Chinese standard GB2626:2006, the requirements of which are broadly the same as the European standard BSEN149:2001+A1:2009 for FFP2 facemasks.
However, there is no independent certification or assurance of their quality and products manufactured to KN95 rating are declared as being compliant by the manufacturer.
PPE cannot be sold or supplied as PPE unless it is CE marked (certificate of European conformity). The only exception is for PPE that is organised by the UK government for use by NHS or other healthcare workers where assessments have been undertaken by the HSE as the market surveillance authority.
The HSE says that in light of all the poor-quality face masks that are coming onto the market, KN95 must not be used as PPE at work “as their effectiveness cannot be assured”.
It says: “Masks that are not CE marked and cannot be shown to be compliant must be removed from supply immediately. If these masks have not been through the necessary safety assessments, their effectiveness in controlling risks to health cannot be assured for anyone buying or using them. They are unlikely to provide the protection expected or required.”
If any face masks are CE marked, suppliers must be able to demonstrate how they know the documentation and CE marking is genuine, supported by Notified Body documentation showing compliance with the essential health and safety requirements as required by the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (EU) 2016/425.
