-
New bill proposes to outlaw use of small water bottles from 2027
A suggested law aims to eliminate mini plastic bottles to address ecological concerns and reduce plastic waste
-
French prefecture rejects Briton's long-stay EU residency card request
European guidelines show the applicant should have received the permit. We look at the rules surrounding the carte de résident de longue-durée - EU card
-
Photos as snow falls – and settles – across France
Many areas in the north have seen snow, including in the capital
Logo to certify quality of masks in France
An official logo to show that a facemask has met certain quality requirements has been revealed by the government.
The blue and red logo must be on every cloth mask available to the public from May 11 and is aimed at limiting fraud.The logo shows the capacity of filtration of the mask with the words “filtration garantie.”
It also shows how many times the mask can be washed with four variations: "testé 5 lavages" (tested for 5 washes), "testé 10 lavages" (tested for 10 washes), "testé 20 lavages" (tested for 20 washes) and "testé 30 lavages" (tested for 30 washes).
A mask that is washable five times can be used six times, and a mask washable 10 times can be used 11 times etc, the Ministry of Economy has said.
The wording "filtration guaranteed" certifies that the mask has passed a test carried out by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA). It means that the masks filter particles emitted (of a size equal to or greater than three microns) ranging from at least 70% to more than 90%, said the Economy Ministry in an official statement.
These masks, unlike surgical or FFP2 masks for example, only stop particles from the wearer. Thus, contamination can only be avoided if everyone wears them.
It is stressed that barrier gestures must still strictly be respected when wearing a mask.
Read more: Pharmacies in France will now sell face masks
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France