Reference

FFP2-Maske oder FFP3-Maske? Dieser deutschsprachige Leitfaden erklärt die Schutzklassen nach EN 149, die CE-Kennzeichnung mit notifizierter Stelle, die Zusätze NR, R und D, die deutschen DGUV-Schutzfaktoren und den internationalen Vergleich mit N95, P2 und KN95 — samt Kauf-Checkliste gegen gefälschte Masken.

The FFP3 mask is Europe's highest disposable respirator class: at least 99% filtration with tight leakage limits under EN 149. This guide covers FFP2 vs FFP3 selection, the UK's APF 20, silica and hardwood-dust uses, valve and NR/R/D markings, US N99/P100 equivalents, and a four-step check for spotting counterfeits.

EN 149 grades European disposable respirators FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3; EN 143 grades P1-P3 filters. This guide decodes the classes, the CE marking string, NR/R/D suffixes, gas-filter types, and Regulation (EU) 2016/425 — plus how the European system maps to NIOSH N95 and P100, with a dual-certified GVS Elipse worked example.

N95 is a NIOSH (US) filtering facepiece rating; FFP2 and FFP3 come from Europe's EN 149. The filtration numbers look close — 95%, 94%, 99% — but the test methods, leakage requirements, and legal acceptance differ. Here is the honest conversion logic, the markings that prove authenticity, and what each jurisdiction accepts.