The webinar was attended by representatives of VITAS, IFC, ASTM and especially representatives of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) as well as the Institute of Equipment and Health Works (Ministry of Health):
- Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai - Deputy Secretary General of VITAS
- Mrs. Vu Tuong Anh - Director of Vietnam Resource Efficiency Program - IFC.
- Mr. Jeffrey Stull - President of International Personnel Protection, Inc. (IPP), representing ASTM.
- Ms. Teresa J.Cendrowska - Vice President, Global Cooperation ASTM International.
- Ms. Vu Tu Quyen - representative of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ).
- Mr. Le Thanh Hai - Director of the Institute of Medical Equipment and Health Works (Ministry of Health).
Mr. Le Thanh Hai - Director of the Institute of Medical Equipment and Health Works (Ministry of Health)
Ms. Teresa J.Cendrowska - Vice President, Global Cooperation ASTM International
The panel provided an overview of US regulatory standards and requirements for respirators, medical masks, and facemasks commonly used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including description of product standards, required test results, selection of laboratories and expectations for product quality control.
The contents presented and discussed in the workshop are summarized through the main points:
- How products work to capture and protect from particles and droplets.
- The level of protection of masks and masks for the wearer when inhaling potentially infectious particles.
- Key similarities and differences between respirators, medical masks, and face coverings.
- General types of tests and requirements applicable to respirators, surgical masks, and face coverings in the United States.
- Various options for how products are manufactured to meet US standards and requirements as well as related requirements may be applicable locally for medical or end-users normally.
The ASTM expert also explained the new ASTM F3502 specification, which addresses how standards and regulatory requirements can be effectively applied - as part of a national strategy to govern manufacturing, export and import of these products, together with specific information on conformity assessment.
