Everything you need to know about AFNOR barrier masks, in France and internationally

Published on March 27, 2020, and revised a month later, the AFNOR Spec – Barrier Masks reference document is the result of a collective effort by volunteer experts which AFNOR put together in seven days, at the height of the mask shortage during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Little by little, the document's scope has evolved. Originally intended for all audiences as a substitute or complement to surgical masks (which were then in short supply and less environmentally friendly), it is now particularly recommended for textile manufacturers. The latest government policy, set out in a decree of January 27, 2021 , confirms this.

In fact, only mass producers (manufacturers or supported artisans) are able to prove, through proper testing, that the models manufactured in accordance with the document fall into protection category 1, i.e., those that ensure at least 90% filtration of 3-micron particles. This performance is comparable to that of surgical masks. However, the decree explicitly requires that masks marketed for non-medical use be tested to verify that the minimum threshold of 90% is indeed achieved. Where applicable, the decree stipulates that consumers must be informed that these masks meet the requirements of the health authorities. The other category, known as UNS 2, which claims a filtration threshold of 70%, is now considered to provide insufficient protection in a context marked by the rapid spread of variants of COVID-19 detected in early 2021.

Barrier mask: yes to UNS 1 models, tested and labeled as such

This context prompted the Minister of Health, on Thursday, January 21, 2021, to follow a opinion of the High Council for Public Health calling for the abandonment of cloth masks that do not claim to provide level 1 filtration. Since seamstresses and craftspeople cannot, by definition, undergo testing to claim a particular category (although the AFNOR SPEC document refers to a database indicating which fabric combinations qualify as UNS 1 or UNS 2), their use is not recommended. Similarly, the few manufacturers who produce UNS 2 barrier masks are no longer encouraged to market them. Under the decree of January 27, 2021, they will have to include information stating that these masks do not meet the requirements of the health authorities.

Therefore, not all fabric masks are discouraged. Those in category 1, labeled as such by the manufacturer, are still considered to be at least as effective as surgical masks. All of this is in addition to protective measures and social distancing, which has been increased to 2 meters. This new policy applies first and foremost in the workplace: the health protocol for businesses has been adapted accordingly, in a version dated January 29, 2021.

UNS 1 models must also meet the following criteria:

• breathability allows for four hours of wear;
• air permeability is greater than 96 liters per square meter per second, for a pressure drop of 100 pascals;
• the shape allows for a snug fit on the face, covering the nose and chin, and does not include a sagittal seam;
• When reusable, performance levels are maintained after at least five washes.

All of these specifications are already guaranteed in AFNOR SPEC S76-001.

Category 1 masks, category 2 masks, surgical masks... Find all the information you need about masks.