Technical BulletinFebruary, 202�
Revision �

Comparison of FFP2, KN95, and N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator
ClassesDescription
Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR), which are sometimes called disposable respirators, are subject to various regulatory
standards around the world. These standards specify certain required physical properties and performance characteristics
in order for respirators to claim compliance with the particular standard. During pandemic or emergency situations, healthauthorities often reference these standards when making respirator recommendations, stating, for example, that certain
populations should use an “N95, FFP2, or similar” respirator.
This document is only intended to help clarify some key similarities between such references, specifically to the following
FFR performance standards:••••

N95 (United States NIOSH-42CFR84)
FFP2 (Europe EN 149-2001)
KN95 (China GB2626-2006)
P2 (Australia/New Zealand AS/NZA 1716:2012)•••

Korea 1st class (Korea KMOEL - 2017-64)
DS2 (Japan JMHLW-Notification 214, 2018)
PFF2 (ABNT/NBR 13.698-2011 – Brazil)

As shown in the following summary table, respirators certified as meeting these standards can be expected to function very
similarly to one another, based on the performance requirements stated in the standards and confirmed during conformity
testing.
One notable comparison point is the flow rates specified by these standards for the inhalation and exhalation resistance tests.
Inhalation resistance testing flow rates range from 40 to 160L/min. Exhalation resistance testing flow rates range from 30 to95 L/min. Some countries require testing to be performed at multiple flow rates, others at only the high or low end of those
ranges. Although this appears to suggest that the standards’ requirements for breathing resistance (also called “pressure drop”)
differ from each other, it’s important to understand that pressure drop across any filter will naturally be higher at higher flow
rates and lower at lower flow rates. Given typical pressure curves for respirator filters, the standards’ various pressure drop
requirements are actually quite similar. This chart shows a representative filter pressure drop curve. If one filter is tested at ahigh flow rate, the pressure drop performance will be relatively high. If that same filter is tested at a low flow rate, the pressure
drop performance will be relatively low.

3M Personal Safety Division
Based on this comparison, it is reasonable to consider China KN95, AS/NZ P2, Korea 1st Class, and Japan DS2 FFRs as“similar” to US NIOSH N95 and European FFP2 respirators, for filtering non-oil-based particles such as those resulting fromwildfires, PM 2.5 air pollution, volcanic eruptions, or bioaerosols (e.g. viruses). However, prior to selecting a respirator, users
should consult their local respiratory protection regulations and requirements or check with their local public health authorities
for selection guidance.
PFF2
DS2 (Japan ABNT/NBR
JMHLWNotification 13.698.
2011214, 2018)

Certification/class(Standard)

N95(NIOSH-42
CFR84)

FFP2 (EN149-2001)

KN95(GB26262006)

P2 (AS/NZ
1716:2012)

Korea 1stClass(KMOEL 2017-64)

Filterperformance– (must be ≥X% efficient)

≥ 95%

≥ 94%

≥ 95%

≥ 94%

≥ 94%

≥ 95%

≥ 94%

Test agent

NaCl

NaCl andparaffin oil

NaCl

NaCl

NaCl andparaffin oil

NaCl

NaCl andparaffin
oil ordioctyl
phthalate

Flow rate85 L/min

95 L/min

85 L/min95 L/min95 L/min

85 L/min95 L/minTotal inward
leakage (TIL)*– tested on
human
subjects eachperforming
exercises**

N/A≤ 8% leakage(arithmeticmean)≤ 8% leakage(arithmeticmean)≤ 8% leakage(individualandarithmeticmean)≤ 8% leakage(arithmeticmean)

InwardLeakagemeasured andincluded inUser
Instructions

N/A

Inhalation
resistance –max pressuredrop≤ 343 Pa

≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at95 L/min)≤ 500 Pa(clogging)≤ 350 Pa

≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at95 L/min)≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at95 L/min)≤ 70 Pa(w/valve)≤ 50 Pa (novalve)≤ 70 Pa(at 30L/min)≤
240 Pa (at95 L/min)

Flow rate

85 L/min

Varied – seeabove

85 L/min

Varied – seeabove

Varied – seeabove

40 L/min

Varied –see above

Exhalation
resistance max pressuredrop≤ 245 Pa≤ 300 Pa≤ 250 Pa≤ 120 Pa≤ 300 Pa

≤ 70 Pa(w/valve)≤ 50 Pa (novalve)≤ 300 Pa

Flow rate

85 L/min

160 L/min

85 L/min

85 L/min

160 L/min

40 L/min

160L/minExhalation
valve leakage
requirementLeak rate ≤ 30mL/min

N/A

Depressurizat
ion to 0 Pa ≥20 sec

Leak rate ≤ 30mL/minvisualinspection
after 300 L/min for 30sec

Depressurizat
ion to 0 Pa ≥15 sec

Leak rate≤30cm3/min

Force applied-245 Pa

N/A-1180 Pa-250 Pa

N/A-1,470 Pa-250 Pa

CO2clearance
requirement

N/A

≤ 1%

≤ 1%

≤ 1%

≤ 1%

≤ 1%

≤ 1%2

3M Personal Safety Division*Japan JMHLW-Notification 214 requires an Inward Leakage test rather than a TIL test.
**Please note: Respirators may be designed to fit people with facial features common in a specific country or region. For
example, KN95 respirators may be designed specifically to fit people with facial features common in China and othercountries in Asia. As a result, some individuals with different facial features may not be able to achieve a satisfactory fit.
This should be considered when selecting and using a respirator approved to other countries’ and region’s standards.

Definitions
Filter performance – the filter is evaluated to measure the reduction in concentrations of specific aerosols in air thatpasses through the filter.
Test agent - the aerosol that is generated during the filter performance test.
Total inward leakage (TIL) – the amount of a specific aerosol that enters the tested respirator facepiece via both filter
penetration and faceseal leakage, while a wearer performs a series of exercises in a test chamber.
Inward leakage (IL)– the amount of a specific aerosol that enters the tested respirator facepiece, while a wearer performs
a normal breathing for 3 minutes in a test chamber. The test aerosol size (count median diameter) is about 0.5 micro meter.
Pressure drop – the resistance air is subjected to as it moves through a medium, such as a respirator filter.
IMPORTANT: Always read and follow respirator user instructions.

Personal Safety Division
3M Center, Building 235-2W-70
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000

3M PSD products areoccupational use only.

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Technical Service:
1-800-243-4630
Customer Service:
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3M.com/workersafety
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