Fight against COVID-19: BIS approves N95 masks fitted aluminium nose bridge and made from five-layer non-woven fabric-50 GSM

The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) has set foot to safeguard the quality of masks production, which is considered as the first line of defence for the fight against Covid-19.

According to KV Rao, Head, BIS Hyderabad, it has permitted licence to eight private firms in Telangana, a southern Indian state, to manufacture indigenous masks (IS: 9473:2002; BIS specification).

“BIS has specifically directed manufacturers to manufacture IS:9473 (N95/FFP2) masks with two parameters including filtration efficiency and breathability,” Rao said.

Dr Akash Chakravarthy, Director, Saritha Pharmaceuticals at Sainikpuri, a BIS licensee, said:  “We are using a five-layer non-woven fabric-50 GSM for manufacturing N95 masks, which avoids 95% of viruses and germs from getting in and an aluminium nose bridge for easy breathing. All the masks are sterilised in UVC before tertiary packing.”

“A proposal was being examined to manufacture resonance masks, meant for life-long usage without replacement”, he added.

Rao also shed light on the check of FFP2 masks by BIS-recognised or empanelled private/government labs across the country to test samples and suggested BIS licences set up in-house testing facilities.