The European standards organizations CEN and CENELEC have decided, in agreement with all their Members (including DIN, the German Institute for Standardization) and in agreement with the European Commission, to make freely available a series of European standards (ENs) for medical devices and personal protective equipment, in a move to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim is to tackle the severe shortage of protective masks, gloves and other products currently faced by many European countries. Providing free access to the standards will facilitate the work of the many companies wishing to reconvert their production lines in order to manufacture the equipment that is so urgently needed. The standards are aimed purely at professional users.

Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, welcomes the initiative thus: “In our battle against the coronavirus we need to act with urgency, solidarity and in a coordinated manner. We need audacity and innovative ways of producing the equipment we need. I am encouraging manufacturers to evaluate the possibilities of increasing and diversifying production, building on positive examples such as textile and shoe manufacturers starting to produce masks and gowns. I will do everything possible to support their efforts. I am pleased to announce that following contacts with the Commission, today CEN and CENELEC agreed to make freely available the standards needed for such companies to be able to produce masks and other protective equipment. This agreement has immediate effect.”

Rüdiger Marquardt, Member of DIN’s Executive Board, adds: “Standards are of utmost importance in ensuring the safety of medical devices and personal protective equipment and providing support and guidance to the manufacturers who produce them. Together with other national standardizations, CEN and CENELEC, DIN is committed to supporting the efforts of the European Commission in the fight against coronavirus.”

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) will also make relevant standards on medical equipment freely available. The current editions of the standards are available free of charge until further notice. These standards describe the key requirements to be met by filter masks, medical gloves and protective clothing.