How Do I Know if My N95 Mask is NIOSH Approved and Not a Counterfeit?

You decided to get or go buy a N95 mask. How can you tell if it’s NIOSH approved and not a counterfeit?

Photo by Jonathan J. Castellon on Unsplash

Here are some required information to check your N95 mask has:

1. Name of approval holder or manufacturer business name
2. Part number

This may be a model number. This is the most accurate way to identify a particular respirator.

3. The NIOSH filter series and filter efficiency level

For N95 masks, this would be N95. For other facepiece respirator types, it could be N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99, or P100.

4. NIOSH Testing and Certification approval number

For example, this would be TC-84-XXXX. To confirm if it’s a valid approval number, you can search for it on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List (CEL). If no results are found, then this means it is not a valid NIOSH approval number and not NIOSH approved.

5. NIOSH in capital block letters

6. There may be a lot number on N95 abbreviated label or product packaging

Misspellings or unapproved designs or claims may be signs that your N95 mask may be a counterfeit.

1. Misspellings