Reports about a Bavarian entrepreneur who is supposed to produce FFP2 masks in reusable format have caused a stir.
Now there is clarification.
Reports about an entrepreneur from Bavaria who
is supposed to produce
FFP2 reusable masks
have caused a stir.
In particular, the lack of a CE certificate for the alleged FFP2 masks appeared questionable to many.
Now the manufacturer himself has provided clarification.
Germering
- With so much hype about his
masks
had
Norbert Metzen
then probably not expected.
The entrepreneur from Germering in the Fürstenfeldbruck district has had to
answer
countless
inquiries
in the past few days
.
It was always about the
mouth and nose protection
that the
manufacturer
sells
in his
online shop
.
The
fabric masks with
different colors
, which Metzen has manufactured in his factory in Slovakia and which
are
certified
as
medical masks
by the
Austrian laboratory HygCen
, can also be equipped with a
fleece
.
This, according to Metzen in an interview with
Merkur.de *
, raises the masks to
FFP2 level
.
Since the
fleece is
exchangeable, there have been several
reports
in various media about the
Germeringer's
"FFP2 reusable masks"
.
With the FFP2 requirement in Bavarian shops and public transport *, which has been in place for about a week, a clear advantage.
Environmentally friendly
and
inexpensive
- wonderful.
But there is a
problem
.
FFP2 reusable masks from Bavaria: interested parties confused - missing CE number
What many buyers while browsing Metzens online service noticed immediately: The
certificate
Although the company HygCen certifies the suitability as a "medical mask," which for a FFP2 mask, according to
EU directive
prescribed
four-digit CE number
is on but nowhere to be found.
In addition, the masks are not recognizable as FFP2 masks anyway, as they look like the usual
Corona * everyday masks
.
The outcry was great: So Metzen a fraud?
No, he now clarifies and explains the matter in an interview with
Merkur.de.
No FFP2 reusable masks: manufacturer explains - "Everywhere except in Bavaria"
“Something was brought
across wrongly
in the first article,” says Metzen, referring to the coverage of the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
.
There was
talk
of
FFP2 reusable masks
several times
, which are
extremely cheap compared to the
disposable version
with a cost of
30 euros including 50 fleece filters
.
#
In fact, he confirms, if the masks are equipped with the fleece, they are FFP2-compatible.
According to Metzen's own statement, Metzen is currently having the
Bavarian Ministry of Health
check
whether they actually meet the standards that are currently required in Bavarian shops and public transport
.
However
, he actually
does not
have a
valid certificate
for
FFP2 suitability
.
Therefore, according to Metzen, “you can currently
use
the masks
for shopping anywhere in Germany without any problems - except in Bavaria
.” Because in the rest of Germany the rules are a little more relaxed.
The mouth and nose protection
only
needs to be
"medical
" - and Metzen has this certificate.
If you want it to be safer, you can of course also buy the fleece.
FFP2 obligation only in Bavaria: Business is going well overall - "Not mandatory everywhere"
But no matter what comes out of the exam, Metzen
does not
actually need
certification as an FFP2 mask
.
“Of course I could now have the masks
certified
for
FFP2 use
,” says Metzen, “but why should I do that?” Business is also going so well - in Bavaria too.
Because the
obligation to wear an FFP2 mask due to Corona *
does not apply everywhere either.
For example, in some medical practices or for children under 14 years of age, his products are still completely sufficient.
"Salespeople
don't need to put on an FFP2 mask
, only the 'buyers'", says Metzen.
The background to this is that FFP2 masks should generally
not be
worn for
longer than 75 minutes
- afterwards a
30-minute "respite" is
recommended
.
So that salespeople and other staff do not have to take such a break every 75 minutes
, the FFP2 mask requirement does not apply
, as the
Bavarian State Ministry for Health and Care
confirms on request.
FFP2 reusable masks with fleece: Manufacturer from Bavaria is hoping for the Söder government to give in
He is sorry
that his masks raised the hope of
reusable FFP2 masks
in Bavaria.
"That is not the case,
" says Metzen.
But he hopes that the Bavarian state government around
Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU)
will give in soon, and that wearing a
“medically tested mouth and nose protection” is
sufficient
in Bavaria too
.
"They are medically tested and that is clearly marked," says Metzen.
In fact, there is a print on the top of the masks
confirming
certification
for medical use.
Should the government around Söder actually give in,
private individuals
in Bavaria could soon
get on the bus
with a
clear
conscience
wearing Metzen's masks
.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network