Antimicrobial and Disinfectant Testing
Biocides include disinfectants and antiseptics that are found in such products as surface disinfectants, hand washes, antimicrobial soaps, surface wipes, wall and floor coatings. In the 5D laboratories we determine the efficacy of antimicrobials using a vast array of different standard and customised tests and assays. Antimicrobial testing supports infection control in healthcare settings and also in the community. Antimicrobial testing methods ascertain the activity of antimicrobial agents under specified conditions.
Examples of some standards we routinely employ for testing the efficacy of antimicrobial agents include carrier tests, suspension tests and in-use testing. Other tests include BS EN 1276 and BS EN 13704, which evaluate the bactericidal and sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants. These test methods can be used for products within the food, industrial, domestic and institutional industries. Furthermore, to assist with product compliance to the Biocidal Products regulations EU) 528/2012 we also carry out BS EN1276, BS EN 1650, BS EN 13697, BS EN 13704, BS EN 1499 and BS EN 1500. All testing is carried out against standards or using customised methods requested by the customer. Testing can be carried out using the standard type strains or they can be adapted to include alternative organisms required to support individual product claims for different customers in different industries.
