GPCF50 CBRN FILTER EXPIRY DATE

Q;  Is the date located on the green vacuum sealed packaging for the GPCF50 CBRN filter the manufacturing date or the expiration date? Also, Once opened and out of the vacuum sealed packaging, how long can they be in standby mode connected to the mask, unused, until it needs to be replaced.

A:  The date marked on the foil bag is applied by the foil bag manufacturer and relates to the packaging itself. We do not print directly onto the foil bags. The expiration date for the filter is printed on the white label that Avon Protection applies to the packaged filter.

Please note that these filters do not have expiration dates marked on the filter body itself; the expiration date is only shown on the packaging label.

There is no official recommendation regarding filters placed into "standby" use. Storage conditions and environmental factors can vary significantly and may affect the service life of filters once they have been removed from their original, unopened packaging. For reference, the GPCF50 has a shelf life of 5 years from the Date of Manufacture (DOM) when stored unopened in its primary packaging.

If the filters are being used solely for training purposes, they may continue to be used until the wearer can either smell or taste the training agent.

For operational or real-world use, new filters should always be used following a thorough risk assessment conducted by a trained and competent person. Filters must be selected to ensure they are suitable for the specific hazard, agent, and operating environment.