FFP stands for Filtering half Face Masks, each mask conforms to the EU regulation EN 149: 2001 the masks are then split into 3 categories determined by their protection level: FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3. Masks are worn to protect our lungs from anything hazardous in the air, this could be from particles and dust to aerosols and smoke.

The FFP2 mask offers more protection than the FFP1. It is the EU equivalent of the US N95 standard and is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) during the outbreaks of SARS, coronavirus, and avian flu. It offers protection from deleterious substances in the air such as lead dust, as well as aerosols, and smoke, it is, therefore, a popular mask in mining and metal industries, and agriculture, and is the go-to mask for healthcare professionals to protect against influenza.