THE COUNTRY HAS MOBILIZED TO COMBAT THE PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 AND ISQ WAS NO EXCEPTION. OFFERING FUNDAMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF THE COUNTRY, IT HAS BEEN ORGANIZED INTERNALLY TO CONTINUE TO ENSURE ITS INDISPENSABLE FUNCTIONS. In ADDITION, IT MOBILIZED to CREATE SERVICES CAPABLE OF RESPONDING TO URGENT NEEDS, particularly IN THE AREA OF HEALTH.
Shock
When on 2 March 2020, the Minister of Health announced the first two cases of COVID-19 registered in Portugal, we were far from imagining that our lives would suffer a brutal impact at various levels.
In the days that followed, government measures were being taken and published in catadupa, with postponements and cancellations of various initiatives, closure of schools, including universities, and conditioning in access to various public services and hospitals.
On March 18, the President of the Republic declared a state of emergency for 15 days, which included mandatory confinement and restrictions on movement on public road. Already the next day, the Council of Ministers decided that establishments with public service should close and telework be widespread.
Attentive to the evolving situation, the ISQ immediately adopted two clear and complementary approaches. On the one hand, it proudly assumed its status as a strategic company for the continuity of the normal functioning of the country, through its support activities. As such, it was important to create the safety and sanitary conditions for all employees who would ensure this function. On the other hand, it was associated with the more generalist measures determined by the Government, favoring telework and creating necessary conditions for this new approach, through the acquisition of personal protective equipment (PPE), creation of a working group focused on the theme COVID-19 and time lag in its laboratory units.
before the existence of specific test standards, ISQ, as a technological centre of excellence, developed methodologies for testing community masks, an indispensable accessory in the effort to reduce the rate of infection by covid-19.
Ignorance about the virus, the form of contagion and its virulence led to uncertainty and anxiety becoming part of the daily life of the population.
The misinformation that existed regarding the use of masks occupied much of the discussions on the spread of the virus, and on 13 April the DGS issued information on the requirements to be met for community masks.
Community Mask Trials
Following this information, ISQ, as a Technological Center of Excellence, has developed methodologies to test the famous community masks, an indispensable accessory in the effort to reduce the rate of infection caused by this new respiratory virus. At that time, there were still no specific test standards for this type of masks, and the ISQ adopted the tests that were applied to surgical masks (medical devices) and masks used as personal protective equipment, the recognized FFP2. And at this point, it is recalled that only on May 15, 2020 the Government deliberated towards the mandatory use of the mask.
After a joint effort of several European laboratories and standardisation entities, on 17 June, a guide called CWA 17553:2020 – Community Face Coverings was published on the CENELEC website.
This normative document has already specified the minimum requirements at European level for social masks, reusable or disposable, in which the following points stand out:
DESIGN
PERFORMANCE
TESTING METHODS
MARKING
Following this publication, ISQ participated in the Technical Committee coordinated by IPQ, which ended with the publication of the new orientation called DNP TS 4575:2020 – Masks for social use – Requirements for certification.
This document is a fundamental tool for manufacturers who want to certify their product – masks for social use – based on the European requirements indicated in CWA 17553 in Portugal. To this end, they shall therefore use accredited entities.
Commitment and innovation to respond to the covid-19 pandemic 1
The issue of a third-party conformity assessment certificate will give the manufacturer the possibility to use a national brand, which will give more credibility, confidence and security to those who purchase and also to place the product on the domestic market and export markets.
This challenge culminated with the ISQ Laboratory Directorate in 2020 being one of the first entities accredited by IPAC to carry out conformity assessment tests, namely Filtration Capacity tests and Breathability tests, according to the new CWA 17553.
In addition to testing hundreds of community masks and assessing their compliance, ISQ supported CERN – European Organization for Nuclear Research in developing a reusable fabric and mask prototype by carrying out various tests.
COVID OUT
Commitment and innovation to respond to the covid-19 pandemic 2
When at the end of May, the Government finally announced the release and return to the so-called new normal, isq had already worked the creation, development and market launch of the COVID OUT service.
This was a pioneering approach, at national level, based on the definition of protocols and methodologies associated with the identification, analysis, evaluation and treatment of the risk of transmission of the New Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Indeed, the return of economic activity was beginning to gain clearer contours, and it was crucial that the adaptation to the new reality could be made with the greatest security and confidence on the part of all.
COVID OUT proposed a set of well-defined approaches, such as identifying risk factors, verifying the effectiveness of disinfection and analysing the suitability of disinfection products, providing customers with a report presenting sample results and prevention, protection and mitigation control measures.
Accessarily, an integrated plan of actions was also elaborated, in which a protocol of disinfection and hygiene of spaces and surfaces was defined for the elimination of the New Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Finally, the safety of the sites was attested by the issuance of a Seal of Trust, which ensured the effectiveness assessment of the measures implemented and ensured that the sites were safe.
COVID OUT, in addition to having been implemented throughout THE ISQ, thus contributing to a safe return to the activity, was also a success with many customers. Here stand out the sectors of education, services, industry, shows and fun.
IN THE COVID-19 VACCINE, ISQ WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR TESTING AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT OF FREEZER ARKS.
COVID OUT, IN ADDITION TO HAVING BEEN IMPLEMENTED THROUGHOUT THE ISQ, WAS STILL A SUCCESS WITH MANY CUSTOMERS, HIGHLIGHTING THE SECTORS OF TEACHING, SERVICES, INDUSTRY, SPECTACLES AND FUN.
As a project initiated by ISQ, insight is open to contributions from everyone who wants to participate and who can bring their vision, scientific studies and reasoned opinion to enrich the themes and the debate.
If your activity is linked to research or the analysis and implementation of measures in the topics discussed here, please contact us using the form attached.
Tempo de Leitura 6 minutos 
