As the impact of the corona crisis is growing, Euratex calls for a stronger coordination and cooperation among the EU and its member states, and clear communication on the required safety measures. European textile companies are contributing to face the crisis.
Euratex provides tools to European suppliers and manufacturers to find each other and facilitate the production of protective masks in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
It publishes a list of offers and requests for material, capacity or support to produce masks, and relevant information on the topic.
European companies are welcome to submit their own request/offer by filling the form below. Requests will be edited on their relevance and updated daily.
Textile and apparel businesses around Europe are facing hard times, as nearly every other sector of the economy. Despite the difficulties, the textile industry is doing its part to cope with the preventive measures put in place by the national governments.
Specifically, the global COVID-19 emergency has created unprecedent global demand for protective masks to be used by healthcare, law enforcement, population and key business value chains. According to its modelling, the WHO projects monthly demand for medical masks to reach 89 million. In the most affected regions, such as Lombardy in Italy, monthly demand for certified masks, only for healthcare workers, exceeds 10 million.
Euratex is identifying options to increase the availability of protective masks in the EU, both by enhancing the existing capacity and creating new manufacturing capacity, including support to textile value-chain companies reconverting their production.
Under normal circumstances, two main types of face protecting masks are put on the market:
PPE masks protect persons from outside agents. Products must be certified by laboratories as per requirements of the PPE Regulation (typically harmonized standard EN 149) with level minimum FFP2 or better FFP3.
Medical masks primarily protect patients from the wearer. Products shall meet requirements of the Medical Device Directive/Regulation (typically standard EN14683) by auto-certification and upon testing
In the present circumstances, masks offering general protection are used as well. These masks offer different degrees of protection, depending on which materials are used and how they are made. These are usually intended for use by the population, and are not meant to be used by healthcare workers. Public authorities should communicate clearly on the difference between these masks and their level of protection.
Euratex is working with its membership and the European Commission to quickly identify solutions that are workable and increase the relative safety of European citizens.
