BSI updates community face coverings standard

Posted on Wednesday 17 March 2021

NEW COMMUNITY face coverings standard has benefitted from public comments, it has been updated to include new environmental considerations as well as enhanced guidance on labelling, cleaning, fitting, fastening, breathing resistance.

The second version of the standard, called Community Face Coverings – Specification, is freely available for use to help UK manufacturers, test houses, retailers and consumers to ensure single-use and re-usable face coverings are safe and fit for purpose.

Its publication coincides with the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions across the UK, where due to the COVID-19 pandemic people are wearing face coverings to reduce the projection of exhaled air and the spread of infection. They are designed to offer a level of protection for those around the wearer, but they can also limit penetration by respiratory droplets from another person into the wearer’s nose and mouth. A face covering can also minimize the amount wearers touch their nose and mouth.

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, brought together a UK Advisory Group¹ of expert healthcare, consumer and retail representatives to develop the specification.

Download the standard here: BSI Flex 5555 v2.0 Community face coverings — Specification

¹Advisory Group

Bolton Consultancy Ltd; National Childrenswear Association; Shirley Technologies Ltd; Intertek; Cabinet Office; CPIN; University of Leeds, UK; University of Huddersfield; UK Hospitality; University College London; Nestle UK; SMTL; Rocialle Healthcare Limited; Which?; BSI; Pennine Healthcare.