Medical Face Mask Type Check (EN 14683 Type I, II, IIR)

Limits per EN 14683:2025 as tabled by Nelson Labs and 4ward Testing: bacterial filtration efficiency at least 95% (Type I) or 98% (Types II and IIR); differential pressure at most 200 Pa (Types I and II) or 300 Pa (Type IIR); splash resistance at least 16.0 kPa for Type IIR only; microbial cleanliness at most 30 cfu/g for every type. The 2019 edition set breathability below 40 Pa/cm² (Types I and II) and below 60 Pa/cm² (Type IIR), measured over 4.9 cm² at 8 L/min; the 2019 figure here is the pressure divided by that area, so treat it as a comparison, not a re-test. BFE = (C - T) / C x 100, where C is the positive control mean and T the count through the specimen. Per 4ward Testing, the 2025 edition sets the bacterial challenge at 1.2 to 3.5 x 10³ CFU per test, counts bioburden over 300 ml of extraction fluid (a whole mask) and drops the AQL 4% batch option, so a mask that passed under 2019 may need re-testing. The Type here is from these four results only: biocompatibility (ISO 10993) and the rest of the conformity route still apply. **This is a reading aid for test reports, not a certification.**