Belarus: Adopted standard on medical face masks

Decree of the State Standardisation Authority (Gosstandart) of April 10, 2020 No. 20 of the Republic of Belarus, adopted GOST R 58396-2019 “Medical masks. Requirements and test methods. " as the national Belorussian standard. 

This standard defines the design, design, functional requirements and test methods for medical masks designed to limit the transmission of infectious agents from personnel to patients during surgery and in other medical facilities with similar requirements.

A medical mask with an appropriate microbial barrier can also effectively help reduce the release of infectious agents from the nasal and oral cavity of an asymptomatic carrier or patient with clinical symptoms. The standard does not apply to masks intended solely for personal protection of personnel.

GOST R 58396-2019 was introduced on 13 April 2020 and can be used by organizations both directly and for the development of technical conditions for these products.

It is important to note that the use of this standard is currently voluntary since medical masks are not included into the list of products subject to mandatory conformity assessment (certification) in Belarus.