With the increasing awareness on hygiene and infection control, the demand for antibacterial plastics has increased significantly. This has highlighted the need for regulatory standards to test the efficacy of these products before they are released to the market. JIS Z 2801 and ISO 22196 are two such test methods that play an important role in antibacterial plastic testing. This article aims to discuss the similarities and differences between these standards with a focus on their objectives, test methods and conditions, origin and scope of products.
JIS Z 2801
JIS Z 2801 (Japanese Industrial Standard) is a Japanese standard which specifies the test method for evaluating the antibacterial activity of plastics treated with antibacterial agents. This method measures the antibacterial activity of plastics by comparing the number of viable bacteria on treated products against an untreated control.
ISO 22196
ISO 22196 developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), specifies a similar method for evaluating the antibacterial activity of plastic surfaces treated with antibacterial agents.
Similarities
Objective
Both JIS Z 2801 and ISO 22196 aim to quantify the antibacterial activity of treated surfaces. They provide standard test methods to assess the reduction of bacteria on antibacterial treated products to ensure the efficacy of antibacterial treatments.
Mandatory test strains
Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are the mandatory test organisms that are used for testing antibacterial plastics. These bacteria play an important role with respect to human health and also represent various bacterial classifications, thus they are chosen for testing.
Scope of products
A wide range of non-porous materials are tested using JIS Z 2801 and ISO 22196 standards. However, JIS Z 2801 has a slightly broader scope which includes textiles and coatings along with plastics.
Differences
Origin of standard
JIS Z 2801 was developed in Japan, and ISO 22196 is an international standard. JIS Z 2801 is more recognized in the Asian markets while ISO 22196 is globally recognized.
Selecting the right standard: JIS Z 2801 vs ISO 22196
Manufacturers are required to consider their target markets and regulatory requirements while choosing the test method for testing the antibacterial products. Products that are to be released in Japanese and Asian markets require JIS Z 2801 standard due to its regional acceptance and regulatory significance. ISO 22196 is preferred for products that are aimed for global markets especially in Europe and America due to its international recognition.
Ensure the safety and efficacy of your antibacterial products with Microbial Investigations Switzerland (MIS). Our state-of-the-art testing and validation services, including JIS Z 2801 and ISO 22196 standards, guarantee reliable and precise results of antibacterial plastic tests. Trust our expert team to help you meet regional and international regulatory requirements, enhancing your product’s marketability and consumer trust.
Contact MIS today to learn how our comprehensive antimicrobial testing solutions can support your innovation and quality assurance needs.
