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Viroxy staff examining results of incubated petri dish

Disinfectant Efficacy Testing

Disinfectant efficacy testing is the mainstay of our business and we are primarily guided by the European Norms

EN 14885:2018 stipulates the European standards (or more specifically, laboratory test methods) to which chemical disinfectants and antiseptics must conform in order to support the claims for microbiocidal activity. It is applicable to all products that claim efficacy against vegetative bacteria (including mycobacteria and Legionella), yeasts, fungal spores, viruses (including bacteriophages) and bacterial spores. As different areas of application have different requirements, separate tests and pass criteria have been established for medical, veterinary and food, industrial, domestic & institutional sectors.

We recommend manufacturers refer to the summary table and the full standard as it enables them to select the appropriate test standards to support their claims for a specific product. We also perform other tests not listed in EN 14885 such as ISO 21530:2004 - disinfectant material compatibility test for dental equipment surfaces and EN 16615:2015 - four-field test for disinfectant wipes.

What's unique about getting your disinfectants and antiseptics tested at Viroxy besides the affordable rate and fast turnaround time is that we have a collection of more than 170 test microorganisms to choose from. We have 29 norms listed under the ISO/IEC 17025 scope and the rest are in the process of getting accredited.

For a non-exhaustive list of the disinfectant efficacy tests we conduct at Viroxy, please refer to the table below. Or download the list.

Download list

EN 1040:2005

Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of basic bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics.
(Dilution-neutralization Method)

 

TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) Test Methods

TGA

TGA Disinfectant Test

 

VAH (Association of Applied Hygiene) Test Methods

VAH Method 7

Determination of the bacteriostatic and yeaststatic activity as well as a suitable neutraliser.


VAH Method 8

Determination of the bactericidal and yeasticidal activity in the qualitative suspension test.


VAH Method 9

Determination of the batericidal, yeasticidal, fungicidal, tuberculocidal and mycobactericidal activity in the quantitative suspension test.

EN 1275:2005

Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of basic fungicidal or basic yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics.
(Dilution-neutralization Method)

 

VAH (Association of Applied Hygiene) Test Methods

VAH Method 7

Determination of the bacteriostatic and yeaststatic activity as well as a suitable neutraliser.


VAH Method 8

Determination of the bactericidal and yeasticidal activity in the qualitative suspension test.


VAH Method 9

Determination of the bactericidal, yeasticidal, fungicidal, tuberculocidal and mycobactericidal activity in the quantitative suspension test.

EN 1499:2013

Hygienic handwash.


EN 1500:2013

Hygienic handrub.


EN 12791:2016+A1:2017

Surgical hand disinfection.

EN ISO 21530:2004

Disinfectant material compatibility test for dental equipment surfaces.

VAH (Association of Applied Hygiene) Test Methods

VAH Method 14.1

Surface disinfection without mechanical action - simulated-use test.


VAH Method 14.2

Surface disinfection with mechanical action - simulated-use test (4-field test).


VAH Method 15

Chemical/chemical-thermal instrument disinfection - quantitative carrier test.

*Norm is in the process of acquiring accreditation

The breadth and depth of our expertise in the medical, food, industrial, domestic, institutional and veterinary sectors also enable us to provide consultative advice in the process of getting your brand-new disinfectant approved. If you have any questions or special test requests, please contact us through the Contact Us tab.

Click here to submit sample(s) for disinfectant efficacy testing