Information Leaflet

EN 149:2001+A1:2009

In August 2009, the standard EN 149:2001 was supplemented by the annex A1:2009 by the CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation), European Committee for Standardization. The name of the current standard is EN 149:2001 + A1:2009.
The national standardization institutes of the following countries are obliged to take over this European standard:  Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland,  Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, United Kingdom and Cyprus.

Why was the EN149:2001 supplemented?

According to the EN149:2001, the particle filtering half mask was injected with the test aerosols in a test chamber. After 3 minutes, the penetration of the test aerosols was measured. During use it turned out that some masks had passed this test but that their filtering performance has rapidly decreased significantly. Moreover, the period of use of the particle filtering half masks was not defined clearly. 

Due to the supplement A1:2009, the test method of the penetration of the test medium was intensified and the period of use of the particle filtering half masks was defined.  In addition, the marking of the particle filtering half mask was clearly defined.

This supplement provides the user with increased safety and clarity.

Definition of the Period of Use

According to the EN149:2001+A1:2009, it will be marked whether a particle filtering half mask may be used for only one shift or beyond that one shift. For this purpose, an „R“ for „reusable“ or an “NR” for “non-reusable” is added to the article name after the index for the protection level.
Example: If the use of a respirator of the protection level/class FFP3 is intended for one work shift, then this mask has to be marked with „FFP3 NR“. If the respirator is reusable, it has to be marked with „FFP3 R“.

What is a „Dolomite-Test“?

The particle filtering half mask is, by means of an artificial lung, ventilated with a known concentration of Dolomite dust for a certain period of time. After that, a test for breathing resistance and filter penetration is carried out. Defined values must not be exceeded during this test. The particle filtering half mask which has passed the „Dolomite-Test“ shall additionally be marked with the letter „D“, e.g. „FFP3 R D“.
A “Dolomite-Test“ has to be carried out for reusable masks. For particle filtering half masks intended for one shift, this test may be carried out on a voluntary basis.
A particle filtering half mask that is intended for one shift and which has passed the voluntary „Dolomite-¬Test“ provides a higher breathing comfort and more reliable protection.

 
What are the specific characteristics of reusable masks?

Between two layers, it is required to clean and disinfect the mask. The corresponding information brochure of the manufacturer has to provide exact instructions on the cleaning, disinfection and storage of the masks. A reusable mask has to pass the „Dolomite-Test“ and has to be labeled with „D“. The complete marking would then e.g. be „FFP3 R D“.

Are DACH masks reusable?

In order to clean masks between two layers, to disinfect them and store them according to instructions it is required to make huge efforts which we think are uneconomic considering the favorable price for our masks. Moreover, there are safety risks in case of any mistakes regarding the cleaning, disinfection and storage of the masks.
Due to the fact that the advantages of a particle filtering disposable half mask outweigh the disadvantages, all DACH half masks are destined for use in only one work shift.