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# Revised Guide on Face Mask Enforcement Policy
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/revised-guide-on-face-mask-enforcement-policy/
- Published: 2021-09-15T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T17:14:35.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5150152

FDA has released a revised [guidance ](https://www.fda.gov/media/136449/download?ref=fdaweb.com)entitled *Enforcement Policy for Face Masks, Barrier Face Coverings, Face Shields, Surgical Masks, and Respirators During the Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency*. The revised document addresses barrier face coverings intended for medical purposes but not intended to provide liquid barrier protection. It includes recommendations on submicron particulate filtration efficiency, airflow resistance, and leakage assessments for these devices, as well as labeling recommendations, as described in ASTM F3502-21: Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings.

Additionally, the revision removes reference to use of alternatives when FDA-cleared or NIOSH-approved N95 respirators are not available based on current CDC and FDA recommendations that healthcare facilities should not be using crisis capacity strategies at this time. It further adds a policy that FDA generally does not intend to object to stockpiled, non-NIOSH-approved disposable filtering facepiece respirators being further distributed and used as face masks for source control (as opposed to respiratory protection) by the general public and healthcare professionals “where such use does not create an undue risk in light of the public health emergency,” the agency says.