Quasi-Drug Masks, Full Export Allowed from the 23rd

Masks for Droplet Protection and KF94 Masks
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(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Haein = On the 5th, at the office of mask manufacturer Wellkips in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, an employee showed a sample of a droplet protection mask (left), sold online from that day at 500 won each, compared with a KF94 mask (right).
The droplet protection mask sold that day attracted attention because it is thin like a dental mask (surgical mask) and is easier to breathe through when worn compared to general health masks. The droplet protection mask is a product used to prevent infection through droplets, with particle blocking performance at about 50 to 80% according to KF standards. 2020.6.5
hihong@yna.co.kr
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[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The export of quasi-drug masks produced domestically will be fully permitted starting from the 23rd. The government had previously allowed exports only within 50% of the average monthly production volume due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Yang Jin-young, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, announced on the 20th, "Considering the domestic production scale and supply-demand trends, export regulations on quasi-drug masks will be lifted starting from the 23rd."

The government decided to fully allow exports to ease the inventory burden on manufacturers and to support domestic companies' overseas expansion. However, export volumes will continue to be monitored to assess any impact on domestic supply.

Along with this, the pre-approval and post-reporting system for domestic mask sellers will also be abolished. Previously, sellers had to report after selling more than 3,000 masks and obtain pre-approval when selling over 200,000 masks.

Despite increased mask production, there were restrictions such as the need for pre-approval when trading large quantities, which made it difficult for the market to function properly.

With the full allowance of mask exports, the government will also promote measures to support the entire export cycle of masks for the relevant companies.

Specifically, weekly overseas market prices will be provided, and during the 'K-Mask Intensive Week' held from the 2nd to the 13th of next month, buyer matching and online video consultations will be supported. Sample shipping costs and local logistics fees will also be subsidized to reduce costs.

For companies without export experience, intensive consulting will be provided through export assistants, and a 'Mask Overseas Certification Helpdesk' will be operated to provide necessary information for obtaining overseas mask certifications.

The government will support the development of various masks by creating new standards. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to newly establish a mask category called 'medical respiratory protective equipment,' which includes quasi-drug KF health masks and masks meeting standards like the U.S. medical N95, and will support rapid approval.

A 'tight-fitting KF94 mask' with a fit similar to the N95 will also be newly approved. This mask uses a headband style with straps around the head instead of the existing ear loops.

Deputy Director Yang stated, "With this measure, the mask supply system will be fully transitioned to the market, providing an opportunity for the mask industry to secure self-sustainability and competitiveness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.