scope:

This NEN-spec provides requirements for producers for the series production of masks and for importers who intend to market masks.

The masks are intended:

- to reduce the transmission of viruses by reducing the likelihood of other people or objects in the user's vicinity coming into contact with infected droplets from the user's mouth and nose (see Figure 2);

- to make it more difficult for the coronavirus to be transferred via a person's hands to a person's mouth and nose, and from a person's mouth and nose to a person's hands.

Attention:

A mask is only effective if used properly.

Masks are intended for use by people:

- not displaying any symptoms matching COVID-19 (clinical symptoms of infection), and

- who do not come into contact with other people displaying such symptoms.

The use of a mask does not serve to replace the hygiene or quarantine measures. People who do display symptoms shall comply with the quarantine measures, also if someone in their close circle has COVID-19. See the website of the government of the Netherlands for this.

This specifically concerns use in locations where wearing a mask:

- is mandatory, or

- is urgently advised.

The requirements in this publication concern both disposable single-use masks and reusable masks, unless indicated otherwise.

Guidelines for the proper cleaning of the reusable masks enable the mask to be used multiple times. Cleaning is described in NEN-spec 1-1.

Children aged three years or less are not allowed to use masks. It is advised that children aged four up to twelve years only wear masks when supervised.

NOTE Schools are strongly advised to have grade 7 and 8 students wear a mask in the hallways if they cannot keep their distance from students from other classes. Over there continuous supervision is often not possible. In those cases, it is advised to give clear instructions to the children on how to use a mask correctly.