SGS, the world’s leading testing and certification company, has announced the opening of a dedicated and fully accredited testing laboratory for face masks in Helsinki.

Consumer demand for face masks has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The protection they afford both wearers and those near them, means many countries have mandated the use of masks as a way to combat the disease. However, not all face masks are the same. Depending on the environment in which the facial barrier is to be worn and the level of protection that is required, different types of face mask need to conform to different standards – from community face masks to filtering facepiece respirators (FFP).

Increased demand has also led to large quantities of poor-quality face masks arriving on European markets. This has highlighted the need for manufacturers and suppliers to ensure their products conform to recognized standards.

Accredited by the Finnish Accreditation Service (FINAS) at the beginning of July 2021, SGS’s new dedicated face mask testing laboratory provides a comprehensive range of solutions to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products conform to internationally recognized standards. Its state-of-the-art facilities cover a variety of face mask standards, including:

• EN 149:2001+A1:2009 – Respiratory protective devices. Filtering half masks to protect against particles. Requirements, testing, marking
• EN 14683:2019 – Medical face masks. Requirements and test methods (benchmark for proving conformity to CE marking requirements)
• CWA 17553:2020 – European Committee for Standardization (CEN) workshop agreement for reusable, non-medical, community face coverings

Commenting on the opening, Ivan Chan, Global Head of Medical PPE: “SGS has a long history of providing accurate and fast testing and certification services to operators across the PPE sector. With our new fully accredited face mask laboratory in Helsinki we are able to offer manufacturers and suppliers a one-stop solutions for all their testing needs. It is a clear indication that we remain committed to supporting PPE operating in markets around the world. After all, a product is only trusted because it is tested.”

The new face mask testing laboratory is part of SGS’s European Competence Center for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at SGS Fimko. The center provides a one-stop solution for all PPE suppliers operating in European and global markets. In addition to high level testing and certification services, the center also supports businesses through complementary services for compliance training and risk assessment.

SGS is the first choice for companies looking to deliver safe and compliant face masks to markets around the world.

SGS Medical Device Services
SGS offers a full range of testing, auditing, and consultation services for face masks and other forms of PPE. Learn more about SGS’s Medical Device Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/medical-devices]

For more information, please contact:

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sgs.com/medicalppe

About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 89,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.