Washable mask

What is a washable mask - mask for the general public?

The Covid19 crisis is the shortage of masks led to finding solutions in terms of protection.
The reusable washable mask or "consumer mask" must meet the Afnor Spec S76-001: 2020 specification.
We are talking about a specification and by no means a standard. Washable or reusable masks are therefore manufactured in accordance with this Afnor specification and not with a standard.

A reusable, washable mask for the general public is neither a medical device within the meaning of EU regulation: 2017/745 (Surgical masks), nor personal protective equipment within the meaning of EU / 2016/245 (FFP2 type filtering masks).

There are therefore two categories of filtration:

- Category 2 UNS2 with filtration ranging from 70% to 90%
- Category 1 UNS1 whose filtration is greater than 90%
As a reminder, a 3-ply surgical mask within the meaning of standard EN14683 must filter at more than 95% and more than 98% for IIR types.
Our Barral mask filters 99% which places it at the highest of filtration capacity.

Who tests the filtration quality and number of washes?

Until June 19, only the DGA (Directorate General of Armament) had the competence to issue conformity in terms of filtration and to maintain the level of filtration as the washings proceed.
As of June 19, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) will no longer accept new applications (see Communication DGA).
Mask testing, including washdowns, should be performed by a competent third party.
Such test capacities are listed, in alphabetical order: at CEA LITEN, CERTAM, CETELOR (washing only), the French Institute for Textiles and Clothing (IFTH); within the University of Haute Alsace in Mulhouse by obtaining information from the Pôle Textile Alsace (PTA);

What guarantees the number of washes?

The masks are guaranteed for 10/20/30/50 washes and a logo validated by the government certifies it. The display of this logo is mandatory for reusable washable masks for the general public. It is important to specify that the washing tests carried out on the masks only concern the filtering media part and therefore its filtration capacities as the washing progresses. These tests do not in any way validate the resistance of the attachments, welds, seams, etc. of the mask which, moreover, may be subjected to different stresses depending on the washing method used by the user. Thus the use of a washing net will prolong the "mechanical" life of the mask. Otherwise, the elastics may get caught in the rest of the laundry and break.