China has published a new national
standard for the technical specifications related to children’s face masks.
The new standard – GB/T 38880-2020 –
applies to children’s face masks that can filter particles and block germs,
pollen, and droplets. It covers products aimed at children between 6 years and
14 years but does not include masks with an electric device for supplying and
removing air.
The standard classifies children’s masks
into either:
- Protective masks (F)
- Hygiene masks (W)
In addition, the standard also
classifies the masks in terms of size relating to the dimensions of the child’s
head and face – small (S), medium (M), and large (L).
GB/T 38880-2020 includes a variety of
technical requirements, including general, appearance, and inner quality. To
learn more about these requirements, view our original Safeguard 068/20.
Differences between the requirements
for protective and hygiene masks include:
- Children’s protective masks are not tested for bacterial filtration efficiency and air penetration efficiency
- Children’s hygiene masks are not tested for inhalation and exhalation resistance and particle protective performance
Conformity to the recommended national
standard should be marked on the smallest sales package. It should cover, as a
minimum, the following information:
- Name and address of the manufacturer
- Product name and classification [contain the words of ‘Children protective mask (F)’ or ‘Children protective mask(W)’]
- Product specification [small size (S), medium size (M) and large size (L)]
- Main material
- Code of this national standard
- Instruction for use (wearing method, safety warning, etc.)
- Manufacturing date, expiration date, recommended use time (hour)
- Disinfection method (if applicable)
The new national standard came into
effect on May 6, 2020.
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