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This document is intended for manufacturers of simple fabric masks for general use by the public. In many European countries, the wearing of mouth and nose coverings is currently mandatory, for example in shops and on public transport, owing to the coronavirus.
KAN draws attention to the fact that "community face coverings" provide no protection whatsoever for the wearer. They are not a substitute for personal protective equipment (PPE) at workplaces, nor do they constitute medical devices.
In contrast to a standard, a CWA is drawn up in a worCWAkshop convened for the purpose. This group, comprising individuals and organizations, develops a document that does not necessarily reflect the opinion of all stakeholders. In addition, no obligation exists for a consensus to be reached, nor must the public necessarily be involved.