In today’s times, the importance of effective household cleaners has become very important to stay safe from emerging viral infections. This does necessitate the need for antiviral disinfectants that can eradicate the viral pathogens and maintain highest levels of hygiene. EN 14476 standard provides test methods to check the efficacy of disinfectants claiming virucidal action. This article discusses the importance of EN 14476 for household cleaners, and how it helps in maintaining a virus-free environment in homes.
What is EN 14476?
EN 14476 specifies a test method and the minimum requirements to determine the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptic products. This test is applied to products that are used in the medical area but can also be used for household cleaners to ensure that they are effective against viruses. The standard covers a quantitative suspension test that evaluates the virucidal activity of disinfectants under specific conditions.
The Scope of EN 14476
The scope of EN 14476 is to test the efficacy of disinfectant products such as hygienic hand rubs and washes, surface disinfectant, textile disinfectant for medical areas. However, its application also covers household cleaners, especially in times of a pandemic, which increases the demand for such virucidal disinfectants. The standard requires that products are expected to have a minimum of a 4-log reduction in virus titer.
Test procedure
- Viral suspension preparation – The test’s initial step is virus suspension preparation, ensuring a high titre of the virus to challenge the disinfectant.
- Challenging with Disinfectant – The virus suspension is mixed with the disinfectant and interfering substances under specified conditions of temperature and contact time.
- Inactivation and recovery – After contact time, mixture is neutralized to stop the disinfectant’s action. The remaining virus is then quantified to measure the reduction in viral titer.
- Results – The results are calculated by determining the reduction in viral titre upon treatment with disinfectant.
EN 14476 testing for household cleaners
Household cleaners that meet the EN 14476 standard offer several benefits in maintaining a safe and hygienic environment. These benefits include –
- Proven efficacy: Products tested with EN 14476 have demonstrated their ability to inactivate viruses so effectively that their use has a high assurance value.
- Consumer Confidence: Disinfectant products certified with EN 14476 help in building consumer trust, as it assures that the products have undergone rigorous testing and proven effectiveness against harmful viruses.
Challenges and considerations
While EN 14476 provides a robust framework for testing virucidal efficacy, there are several challenges and considerations:
- Test conditions: The standard specifies strict conditions under which the tests must be done, including temperature and presence of interfering substances, which might differ from real-world conditions.
- Product formulation: Not all household cleaners may be testable directly under EN 14476 because of their formulation. Some may require modifications or additional test methods to make them compatible with the standard.
- Regulatory compliance: Manufacturers of disinfectant have to ensure that their products comply with EN 14476. Regulatory compliance may require additional testing and certification processes.
At MIS, we specialize in validating the efficacy of disinfectants as per EN 14476 standard. Our state-of-the-art facilities and expert team ensure your products are effective against harmful viruses, providing peace of mind and enhanced safety for your customers. Partner with MIS to validate your household cleaners’ virucidal efficacy and demonstrate your commitment to quality and safety.
Want to know more about EN 14476 testing or need any additional information regarding our testing services, please contact our experts today.
