What is the difference between 3M FFP2 and FFP3?

FFP3 filters a higher proportion of airborne particulate than FFP2 and is required for more hazardous dusts and fumes. Our FFP guide explains the thresholds.

Do 3M masks need face fit testing?

Yes — UK law expects anyone wearing a tight-fitting mask to be face fit tested for the specific make and model they will use.

3M Safety Equipment

129 products in stock across ppe, hearing protection, respiratory protection and ear plugs.

PPE

3M 1100 Plug Dispenser Refill Pack

PPE

3M 2720 Safety Spec Clear Anti Fog N/A

PPE

3M 4520 Protective Disposable Coverall

PPE

3M 4530 Flame Spread Retardant Sr Disposable Coverall

PPE

3M 6035 P3R Encapsulated Ash N/A

PPE

3M 6038 P3R Hf Encapsulated Pr N/A

PPE

3M 6055 A2 Filter(Pack=1Pr) N/A

PPE

3M 6885 Peel Off Visor Covers N/A

PPE

3M 7502 Med Silicone Half Mask

PPE

3M 8 Hour Battery 007-00-64P N/A

PPE

3M 8835+ Mask P3 Valved Respirator

PPE

3M Disp Lens Clean Wipes (500) N/A

PPE

9" Clear Polycarbonate Visor N/A

PPE

Bt-30 Length Adjusting Tube N/A

PPE

E-A-R Caps Replacement Pods N/A

PPE

Ear Classic Refill Bag Pd01009 N/A

PPE

Ear Classic Soft Pillowpack N/A

PPE

Ear One Touch Pro Dispenser N/A

PPE

Ear Soft Neon Metal Detectable Ones Size

PPE

Ear Soft Neons Refill Yellow N/A

PPE

Ear Ultrafit X Corded Plug N/A

PPE

M-106 Resp Faceshield & Visor N/A

PPE

M-306 Versaflo Helmet Gp Seal N/A

PPE

M-307 Resp Protective Helmet N/A

PPE

Peltor Optime 1 Folding Headband Yellow N/A

PPE

Peltor Optime 1 Helmet Attachment Yellow N/A

PPE

Peltor Optime 1 Hygiene Kit N/A

PPE

Peltor Optime 2 Folding Headband Green N/A

PPE

Peltor Optime 2 Folding Hi-Viz N/A

PPE

Peltor Optime 2 Helmet Attachment Green N/A

About 3M

3M has been in business since 1902, when five entrepreneurs founded the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company to work an abrasive mineral deposit at Two Harbors. More than a century later its Personal Safety Division is the most widely specified PPE brand in the world — and for most UK safety managers, a 3M part number is the reference point everything else gets compared against.

We stock across the main 3M safety families: Aura 9300+ flat-fold disposable respirators in FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3, half and full face reusable masks with bayonet filters, Versaflo powered air systems, Peltor earmuffs and communication headsets, SecureFit and Virtua safety eyewear, and Speedglas welding helmets — the line that introduced the first auto-darkening welding lens back in 1981.

3M is usually the brand a client standardises on when face fit testing is part of their RPE policy, because the FFP range is the one most fit-test providers carry face-piece samples for. We supply manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, pharmaceutical and construction clients across Scotland, and can hold agreed 3M lines in stock for scheduled call-off.

There are currently 129 products from 3M in the catalogue, covering ppe, hearing protection, respiratory protection and ear plugs, from £0.18 ex VAT. Everything is available on business terms, with trade pricing that improves with volume. Orders over £150 ex VAT are delivered free, and most stocked lines dispatch for next-day delivery.

3M at a glance

Founded: 1902
Origin: Maplewood, Minnesota, USA (founded Two Harbors, MN)
Parent company: 3M Company (NYSE: MMM)
Specialises in: Respiratory, hearing, eye and welding protection
Typical sectors: Manufacturing, engineering and fabrication, construction, pharmaceutical and food production, welding and metalwork

Key 3M ranges we stock

Aura 9300+ disposable respirators
6000/7500 half masks and Pro 2000 filters
Versaflo powered air
Peltor hearing protection
SecureFit and Virtua eyewear
Speedglas welding helmets

Standards 3M products are certified to

EN 149 (FFP1/FFP2/FFP3)
EN 140 and EN 136 (reusable masks)
EN 12941/12942 (powered air)
EN 352 (hearing)
EN 166 (eyewear)
EN 379 (welding filters)

Certification varies by product — always check the individual product page for the marking that applies to the line you are buying.

Browse these categories across all brands

3M sits alongside the other makes we stock in each of these ranges — useful if you are comparing options rather than buying to a fixed brand spec.

Standards and how to choose

Specifying 3M kit correctly means matching the product to the right EN standard. These guides explain what the ratings mean, in plain English:

FFP1 vs FFP2 vs FFP3: Which Respirator Mask Do You Need?The FFP rating on a disposable respirator tells you how much airborne particulate it filters out — but the differences between FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 aren't always obvious. Here's a plain-English guide.
What Is Face Fit Testing? A Plain-English Guide for EmployersIf your team wears tight-fitting masks, UK law expects each person to be face-fit tested. Here is what that means, when it applies, and the two methods used.

3M — frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 3M FFP2 and FFP3?: FFP3 filters a higher proportion of airborne particulate than FFP2 and is required for more hazardous dusts and fumes. Our FFP guide explains the thresholds.
Do 3M masks need face fit testing?: Yes — UK law expects anyone wearing a tight-fitting mask to be face fit tested for the specific make and model they will use.

Bulk orders and trade accounts

Standardised on 3M across your sites? We quote for bulk and recurring orders and can hold agreed lines in stock for scheduled call-off, so your teams always get the same product code. Request a quote with your quantities, or talk to us about opening a trade account. You can also browse our other brands.

3M Safety Equipment

3M 1100 Ear Plug

3M 1100 Plug Dispenser Refill Pack

3M 1110 Ear Plug Corded

3M 2125 P2 Filter (Pairs) N/A

3M 2128 P2R Filter N/A

3M 2135 P3 Filter (Pairs) N/A

3M 2138 P3 Filter (Pairs) N/A

3M 2720 Safety Spec Clear Anti Fog N/A

3M 4251 Organic Respirator

3M 4255 A2 P3 Organic

3M 4277 Ffabe1P3D

3M 4279 Ffabek1P3D

3M 4520 Protective Disposable Coverall

3M 4530 Flame Spread Retardant Sr Disposable Coverall

3M 501 Filter Retainer N/A

3M 5911 P1R Pre Filter N/A

3M 5925 P2R Pre Filter N/A

3M 5935 P3R Pre Filter N/A

3M 6000 Series Full Face Mask

3M 6000 Series Half Mask

3M 6035 P3R Encapsulated Ash N/A

3M 6038 P3R Hf Encapsulated Pr N/A

3M 6051 A1 Filter N/A

3M 6055 A2 Filter(Pack=1Pr) N/A

3M 6057 Abe1 Filter Amber N/A

3M 6059 Abek1 Filter N/A

3M 6099 Abek2P3R Filter N/A

3M 6885 Peel Off Visor Covers N/A

3M 7502 Med Silicone Half Mask

3M 8 Hour Battery 007-00-64P N/A

3M 8710 Mask P1

3M 8810 Mask Ffp2 Ash N/A

3M 8812 Mask Dust P1V

3M 8822 Dust/Mist P2V

3M 8822 Mask Ffp2V (5 Pack)

3M 8825 Dust/Mist/Metal Fume

3M 8833 Mask Ffp3V (5 Pack)

3M 8833 Mask P3V

3M 8835+ Mask P3 Valved Respirator

3M 9310+ Aura Ffp1 Mask

3M 9312+ Aura Ffp1V Mask

3M 9320+ Aura Ffp2 Mask

3M 9322+ Aura Ffp2V Mask

3M 9332+ Aura Ffp3V (5 Pack)

3M 9332+ Aura Ffp3V Mask

3M 9914 Mask Ffp1V

3M 9922 Mask Ffp2V Valved

3M Disp Lens Clean Wipes (500) N/A

3M Securefit Safety Spec

6501Ql Reusable Half Mask

9" Clear Polycarbonate Visor N/A

A2P Filter 453-00-25P2 N/A

Bt-30 Length Adjusting Tube N/A

Deluxe Facesaver Ash N/A

E-A-R Caps Replacement Pods N/A

Ear Cabocord

Ear Caps

Ear Classic

Ear Classic Refill Bag Pd01009 N/A

Ear Classic Refill Bottle N/A

Ear Classic Soft Pillowpack N/A

Ear Dispenser N/A

Ear Express Plug

Ear Express Plug Corded

Ear One Touch Pro Dispenser N/A

Ear Push In Corded N/A

Ear Push Ins

Ear Soft 21 Ear Plugs N/A

Ear Soft Fx Corded N/A

Ear Soft Fx Ear Plugs

Ear Soft Neon Metal Detectable Ones Size

Ear Soft Neons

Ear Soft Neons Corded

Ear Soft Neons Refill Yellow N/A

Ear Tracers

Ear Tracers 20 Corded N/A

Ear Ultrafit 14 N/A

Ear Ultrafit 20 N/A

Ear Ultrafit X Corded Plug N/A