Currently the mass production and sale of face masks in the Republic of Belarus is increasing constantly. The masks include those to be used as hygienic (sanitary-hygienic) products in order to prevent (the spread of infectious diseases that pose a danger to public health, including coronavirus COVID-19.
To ensure a unified approach to assessing the conformity of these products, the main standardisation authority of Belarus - Gosstandart has issued a clarification letter to that explains the main principles of face masks certification and conformity assessment.
Masks made of textile and non-woven materials that are worn by a person to be worn on the face can have the following purpose:
- medical;
- protective as a means of personal protection (PPE).
Masks intended for medical personnel are not subject to mandatory conformity assessment (compliance confirmation). These products are not subject to the technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union (Customs Union) or the Republic of Belarus, and these products are not included in the List of Products Requiring Confirmation of Compliance in the Republic of Belarus.
Issues related to the procedures for registration and examination of safety, quality, effectiveness of masks for medical personnel are within the competence of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus.
Masks sold means of individual protection of respiratory organs from chemical and radiation factors (personal protective equipment) are subject the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union “On the safety of personal protective equipment (PPE)” (TR TS 019/2011) and are subject to confirmation of compliance (conformity assessment) with its requirements. This means that a conformity certificate is required for these types of masks.
Products that are currently on the market and that are sold as “dressing”, “textile masks”, “household masks”, “decorative dressings”, “decorative masks”, “face cloths”, “face tissues”, etc. – are not subject to the technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), including the requirements of the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union “On the safety of light industry products” (textile and clothing) (TR CU 017/2011), or any technical regulations of the Republic of Belarus, and these products are not included in the List of Products Requiring Confirmation of Compliance in the Republic of Belarus. This means that no conformity assessment is required in order to be able to sell these products on the market of Belarus.
The provisions of the Technical Regulation TS 017/2011 also do not apply to products and clothes intended for one-time use (disposable shoe covers, wraps, overalls, semi-overalls, bathrobes, aprons, etc.).
Law: Clarification Letter of Gosstandart of 04/11/2020 No. 05-11 / 493