European respirator rules

The European respirator rules are rules that European governments use to check respirators. The FFP rules include FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3. For respirators with changeable filters, like elastomeric respirators, the rules go from P1, to P2, and then P3. The standard FFP rules are under is called EN 149. The elastomeric rules are under EN 143. EN 14387 has the chemical cartridge rules. To keep things simple, chemical cartridge rules will not be talked about here.

This is a dust mask. 'FFP1' is on this respirator or mask. This will not stop tuberculosis or other viruses. Use a mask with a larger number, like FFP2 or FFP3 for viruses.

This elastomeric respirator is 'P3.' To keep things simple, 'P' ratings, from the EN 143 rules, will not be talked about here.

Ratings chart

FFP respirator type can be found by looking at the head band. The head band looks like string. As the FFP number goes up, the amount of dust passed from the filter, to the mouth and nose goes down. Also, the amount of air that goes by the filter goes down. The filter here is the FFP respirator.

FFP rules

Rule with number	Percentage of dust not passed to the mouth and nose (at 95 liters per minute air flow)	Percentage of air that goes by the FFP respirator, by rule	Head band color
FFP1	80% or more	Less than 22%	Yellow
FFP2	94% or more	Less than 8%	Blue
FFP3	99% or more	Less than 2%	Red

FFP2 can stop viruses and tuberculosis. FFP3 can also stop asbestos and ceramic.

Pictures

These are not elastomeric respirators. Elastomeric respirators use rules P1, P2, and P3. Also, elastomeric respirators do not change head band color.

Types of FFP Respirators

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  FFP1 has a yellow head band.
• 
  FFP2 has a blue head band.
• 
  FFP3 has a red head band.
• 
  Some FFP respirators have no color on the head band. It is just white.

Related pages

• NIOSH ratings
• N95