The Consumer Agency wants to see evidence of claims about virus protection

William Hahne and his company Nordic Strategic Investment sell respiratory protection with so-called FFP2 certification. On the website and on social media, the company writes that it provides protection against "> 95% of all airborne particles, including viruses" and "is the standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for healthcare professionals working with patients infected with the corona virus".

The Swedish Consumer Agency believes that the claims give the impression that the masks protect consumers against covid-19 and want to see a basis that strengthens the products' quality, properties and WHO recommendations.

- When it comes to these types of products that concern life and health, it is extra important to be able to prove that there are scientifically based facts that substantiate those claims. We do not believe that is evident, says Hanna Ackeberg, lawyer at the Consumer Agency.

A trader who sells goods with false claims is guilty of misleading marketing. The Consumer Agency primarily seeks voluntary opinions and corrections, but can, if necessary, take legal action.

Nordic Strategic Investment has until 13 April to answer the Consumer Agency.

"It's not a problem for me to prove that," William Hahne told SVT News.

Mouth and respiratory protection is a deficiency in health care after the progress of the corona virus. But for ordinary people out in the community, the recommendation is to keep the distances and to have good hand hygiene, according to the Public Health Authority.

Last week, SVT's Swedish News chose to buy 1,000 breathable masks from Nordic Strategic Investment, which was then donated to the Akademiska hospital in Uppsala.

In recent weeks, the Consumer Agency has received several hundred notifications against a total of about 15 companies that use the virus outbreak in various ways in their marketing. It is partly about different ways to increase its immune system, for example through fish oil, herbal medicine and meditation. In other cases, it concerns advertisements for detergents, mouthguards and hand spirit with claims about virus protection that are questioned by consumers.

Hanna Ackeberg does not rule out that more opinions will be required in the future.

- We monitor the notifications we receive. This may be the case with several cases, she says.