The population was advised to be careful when choosing a protective mask. According to the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control, it is important to choose the right protective masks in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Thus, according to the requirements of the standards, disposable medical masks should cover the nasal and oral cavities and prevent the direct transmission of infectious diseases to minimize the risk. There are medical and respiratory types of protective masks. During the pandemic, more and more medical masks are used by the population. The Azerbaijan Standardization Institute, a public legal entity subordinated to the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control under the Ministry of Economy, has adopted two state standards in 2020 that define the basic requirements for medical masks based on European standards.
All types of masks sold in the country must meet the requirements of these standards. For this purpose, the conformity of the product to the requirements of the standards is guaranteed by accredited bodies and goods meeting the safety standards are released to the consumer market. According to the requirements of the standards, the main features of medical masks are its bacterial filtration efficiency, air permeability and microbiological purity of the mask.
The mask must have a protective device that allows the user to sit tightly on the nose, mouth and chin, as well as on the sides of the face, the filter layer must not be separated during use, should not fall apart, the loop should not be broken. Consumers are advised to ask the seller for information about its origin and relevant certificates confirming its safety when buying protective masks. Consumers can apply to the State Service if they encounter the sale of non-certified protective masks of unknown origin. At present, the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control has strengthened monitoring and control measures in this direction. Entrepreneurs engaged in the circulation of protective masks that do not meet the requirements of standards and other normative documents shall be liable in accordance with the legislation. According to the Code of Administrative Offenses, officials selling goods that do not meet these requirements are fined from 1,500 to 2,000 manat, and legal entities from 4,000 to 6,000 manat.