Washington — NIOSH has issued standards and interim guidelines to help manufacturers produce and design masks designed to protect workers from COVID-19.

The mask “must meet all the design requirements in the ASTM F3502-21 barrier mask standard and meet the performance standards”, meet additional NIOSH performance standards, and be tested. The NIOSH standard includes leakage rate requirements.

In addition, NIOSH stated that mask manufacturers should provide information on proper use, comply with minimum labeling standards, and have a system to maintain consistent mask quality.

According to ASTM design requirements, masks must:

NIOSH warns that masks cannot be used as a substitute for respiratory protection devices or respirators when needed.

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