Authentic.
Because it Matters.

• There has been a significant rise in counterfeit and copycat 3M™ Reusable Respirator facepieces, filters and cartridges around the world. Some of these products may look similar to authentic 3M™ Reusable Respirator products. However, the issue of counterfeit and copycat products goes much deeper than appearance. The fit, performance and quality of counterfeit and copycat products may be drastically different from authentic 3M products. This means that while the product may look like an authentic 3M product, its level of respiratory protection is unknown. Counterfeit and copycat respiratory protection products may be made of unknown materials, undergo unknown processes, do not follow or pass stringent NIOSH regulatory requirements, nor do they have on-going quality testing measures in place. These are all important aspects of a quality respirator that you can be assured of when buying authentic 3M™ Reusable Respirators.
• NIOSH Respirator Test Procedures
• When 3M and other manufacturers submit a respirator to NIOSH for approval, they must meet the applicable requirements outlined in 42 CFR Part 84, the regulation for the Approval of Respiratory Protective Devices.
• The submission must contain a variety of data to demonstrate that the respirator under review meets or exceeds performance requirements. After the respirator is approved, 3M must continue to follow strict quality control requirements to help ensure that the material and performance of approved products continue to meet NIOSH requirements.
• NIOSH also uses Standard Testing Procedures to verify that respirators provide the expected level of protection for users. The Standard Test Procedures for Reusable Respirators and other types of respiratory protection can be found here: Standard Respirator Testing Procedures | NPPTL | NIOSH | CDC
• For a quick summary of the quality requirements needed to achieve NIOSH Approval, also consider reviewing this booklet provided by NIOSH that provides an overview of the NIOSH approval process and the application package requirements -Know Before You Apply: Summarized Quality Requirements Needed to Achieve NIOSH Approval (cdc.gov) (PDF, 1.89 MB)
• Before purchasing respiratory products online or from an unknown distributor learn more about what to look for:

Counterfeit personal protection equipment (PPE) pose serious risks, as they are not tested and approved like authentic respirators from 3M. They’re made from unknown materials by an unknown process under quality controls that are also unknown – or even non-existent. Real products mean real protection (when used per the user instruction).

Recently there has been on onset of counterfeit filters for the 3M Adflo Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) System. 3M continues to investigate these cases and take appropriate actions. We strongly recommend you purchase all 3M products through a 3M Authorized Reseller to have the highest assurance that you will receive authentic product.

Counterfeit personal protection equipment (PPE) pose serious risks, as they are not tested and approved like authentic respirators from 3M. They’re made from unknown materials by an unknown process under quality controls that are also unknown – or even non-existent. Real products mean real protection (when used per the user instruction).

To have the highest level of assurance that you are getting authentic 3M product, be sure you are purchasing from a 3M Authorized Reseller.

Warning Before Purchasing 3M Products

Click on this Technical Bulletin to get the details on what a copycat or counterfeit product is and why it is important to make sure you purchase authentic 3M respiratory products.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN (PDF, 320 KB)

3M has become increasingly aware of counterfeit and copycat earplugs, earmuffs and protective communication products that may look like authentic 3M products. Counterfeit and copycat products may not provide the level of protection expected; they may not have gone through any regulatory or quality assurance testing. Genuine 3M hearing protection products go through rigorous regulatory and quality assurance testing to deliver the level of protection indicated by the attenuation information provided with the product. Regulatory testing and quality assurance measures are critical to providing hearing protection that you can depend on.

To have the highest level of assurance that you are getting authentic 3M product, be sure you are purchasing from a 3M Authorized Reseller.

Warning Before Purchasing 3M Products

Click on this Technical Bulletin to get the details on what a copycat or counterfeit product is and why it is important to make sure you purchase authentic 3M respiratory products.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN (PDF, 360 KB)