Today, global standards organization ASTM International approved a new standard for barrier face coverings that will help establish minimum design, performance, labeling, and care requirements for reusable barrier face coverings.
The standard was developed by ASTM’s committee on personal protective clothing and equipment (F23).
The new standard (F3502) is intended to apply to the general public and workers and includes specific requirements for barrier face coverings including design and general construction criteria, particle filtration efficiency levels, sizing and fit testing criteria, labeling instructions, and guidance on cleaning and recommended periods of use.
The standard is available at www.astm.org/COVID-19. This standard was developed with the input of several respiratory protective device experts and medical face mask experts. This is the first ASTM standard to address this category of PPE. The Introduction of the standard clearly defines its scope. It states that ‘this standard…is neither a medical face mask…nor a respirator…’
The full press release may be found here.
