{
  "dataset": "Respirator & Barrier-Mask Certification Standards Comparison",
  "version": "1.0",
  "issued": "2026-07-10",
  "publisher": "AirPop",
  "publisher_url": "https://getairpop.com",
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "homepage": "https://getairpop.com/blog/mask-testing-methodology-how-certifications-work",
  "description": "A cross-jurisdiction comparison of the major consumer- and workplace-facing respiratory protection standards (N95, KN95, KF94, FFP2) and the ASTM F3502-21 consumer barrier-face-covering standard. Values are drawn from each standard's public specification. Intended for buyers, procurement teams, journalists, and researchers who need an apples-to-apples reference for what each certification actually tests.",
  "important_note": "The minimum-filtration column is NOT directly comparable across rows. N95/KN95/KF94/FFP2 figures are filter-material efficiencies; ASTM F3502-21's L1 ≥20% / L2 ≥50% are whole-mask category floors for barrier face coverings, not filter-material figures. A product can clear the F3502 Level 2 floor while filtering far more in practice. F3502 uniquely also caps breathing resistance and requires a source-control (outward-leakage) analysis on the finished mask.",
  "units": {
    "min_filtration_pct": "percent (minimum required)",
    "test_flow_l_min": "litres per minute",
    "inhalation_resistance_pa": "pascals (maximum allowed; native-unit conversions: 343 Pa ≈ 35 mm H₂O, 147 Pa ≈ 15 mm H₂O, 49 Pa ≈ 5 mm H₂O)",
    "exhalation_resistance_pa": "pascals (maximum allowed)"
  },
  "records": [
    {
      "standard": "N95",
      "region": "USA",
      "governing_spec": "NIOSH 42 CFR 84",
      "certifying_body": "NIOSH (US CDC)",
      "mask_type": "Respirator",
      "min_filtration_pct": 95,
      "test_aerosol": "NaCl (~0.3 µm MMAD)",
      "test_flow_l_min": 85,
      "whole_mask_leakage_or_fit": "Not in filter approval (OSHA fit test is separate)",
      "inhalation_resistance_pa": 343,
      "exhalation_resistance_pa": 245,
      "source_control_tested": "No"
    },
    {
      "standard": "KN95",
      "region": "China",
      "governing_spec": "GB 2626-2019",
      "certifying_body": "Manufacturer self-declaration / accredited labs",
      "mask_type": "Respirator",
      "min_filtration_pct": 95,
      "test_aerosol": "NaCl (and oil)",
      "test_flow_l_min": 85,
      "whole_mask_leakage_or_fit": "Total inward leakage ≤8%",
      "inhalation_resistance_pa": 350,
      "exhalation_resistance_pa": 250,
      "source_control_tested": "No"
    },
    {
      "standard": "KF94",
      "region": "South Korea",
      "governing_spec": "KF94 (MFDS)",
      "certifying_body": "Korea Ministry of Food & Drug Safety",
      "mask_type": "Respirator",
      "min_filtration_pct": 94,
      "test_aerosol": "NaCl & paraffin oil",
      "test_flow_l_min": 95,
      "whole_mask_leakage_or_fit": "Total inward leakage ≤11%",
      "inhalation_resistance_pa": null,
      "exhalation_resistance_pa": null,
      "source_control_tested": "No"
    },
    {
      "standard": "FFP2",
      "region": "EU",
      "governing_spec": "EN 149:2001+A1:2009",
      "certifying_body": "EU Notified Body",
      "mask_type": "Respirator",
      "min_filtration_pct": 94,
      "test_aerosol": "NaCl & paraffin oil",
      "test_flow_l_min": 95,
      "whole_mask_leakage_or_fit": "Total inward leakage ≤8%",
      "inhalation_resistance_pa": 240,
      "exhalation_resistance_pa": null,
      "source_control_tested": "No"
    },
    {
      "standard": "ASTM F3502-21 Level 1",
      "region": "USA",
      "governing_spec": "ASTM F3502-21",
      "certifying_body": "Manufacturer tested to ASTM",
      "mask_type": "Barrier face covering",
      "min_filtration_pct": 20,
      "test_aerosol": "Sub-micron NaCl (whole-mask floor)",
      "test_flow_l_min": null,
      "whole_mask_leakage_or_fit": "Non-mandatory qualitative leakage design analysis",
      "inhalation_resistance_pa": 147,
      "exhalation_resistance_pa": null,
      "source_control_tested": "Yes (design analysis)"
    },
    {
      "standard": "ASTM F3502-21 Level 2",
      "region": "USA",
      "governing_spec": "ASTM F3502-21",
      "certifying_body": "Manufacturer tested to ASTM",
      "mask_type": "Barrier face covering",
      "min_filtration_pct": 50,
      "test_aerosol": "Sub-micron NaCl (whole-mask floor)",
      "test_flow_l_min": null,
      "whole_mask_leakage_or_fit": "Non-mandatory qualitative leakage design analysis",
      "inhalation_resistance_pa": 49,
      "exhalation_resistance_pa": null,
      "source_control_tested": "Yes (design analysis)"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    { "standard": "N95", "reference": "NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84; US CDC / NIOSH respirator approval program" },
    { "standard": "KN95", "reference": "GB 2626-2019 (China National Standard for respiratory protective equipment)" },
    { "standard": "KF94", "reference": "Korea Ministry of Food & Drug Safety (MFDS) KF94 specification" },
    { "standard": "FFP2", "reference": "EN 149:2001+A1:2009 (European filtering half-mask standard)" },
    { "standard": "ASTM F3502-21", "reference": "ASTM F3502-21 Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings" }
  ]
}