MASKS check out what you are buying... and how they work

Life is slowly getting back to some normality but we have been asked to still take some careful steps of distancing, lots of hand washing and sanitising whilst out and about. I thought you may be interested in some helpful information that came up on face book from Dorset council this morning.

Update from Dorset Trading Standards re the standards and of Face masks and Coverings

News from Trading Standards: Face masks and PPE

On the 11th May the Government advised people to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces when social distancing, on public transport or in some shops.

Face coverings such as handmade masks and scarfs do not replace the need for social distancing or hand washing. Evidence suggests that wearing a covering does not protect you. However, if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you come into close contact with.

A face covering is not the same as personal protective equipment (PPE) or medical devices such as surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers. This equipment is heavily regulated, designed and manufactured to be worn for protection against one or more risks to that person's health or safety.

As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic there has been a huge increase in demand for PPE products both commercially and by consumers. Unfortunately, this has led to a rise in the number of illegal PPE being sold. These products can often be dangerous and unsafe, or come from supply chains without traceability back to a manufacturer’s technical file to show it complies with our law.

Trading Standards are responsible for the enforcement of PPE sold to consumers. As a minimum PPE masks should bear-a name, trademark or other means of identification of the manufacturer or supplier Product code a CE mark four digit Notified Body number. bear the appropriate class (FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3) - please note only FFP3 can provide protection against Covid- 19.reference to standard EN 149:2001+A1:2009 state whether is single use (NR) or re-useable (R)

accompanied by instructions in English

If anyone believes PPE or other goods are not safe or not as described report it to Dorset Council Trading Standards by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Service at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer or by calling their new freephone number 0808 223 1133.

Get advice on your consumer rights, including complaints and trading standards.