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Antiseptic Handwash and Hand Rub Testing Services
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Abstract
Antiseptic products are an integral part of healthcare industries and other industries that prioritize hygiene. Antiseptic washes and hand rubs are products that ward off microbial load from hands. These products are used in everyday life to avoid infection. So it is important for these products to be efficient to serve their purpose. How does one conclude these antiseptic products are efficient and safe for use? Testing of these microbicides should be conducted to prove their efficiency, safety and compliance with set regulations. Here, we detail why hand rub and antiseptic handwash testing services are essential, the types of antiseptics, standard types of tests and the advantages of professional testing services.
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Introduction to antiseptic handwash and handrub testing services
Antiseptic washes and rubs are used to reduce or eradicate the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi from the skin. These agents are widely used in healthcare to minimize the spread of infections, particularly during surgeries, patient care and treatment of wounds. Outside healthcare, such products are vital for personal hygiene, especially during pandemics and environmental conditions where the risk of infection remains high.
Antiseptic handwash testing services help manufacturers confirm their product claims, avoid regulatory issues and ensure that users are protected from harmful pathogens.
Types of antiseptic washes
Antiseptic washes and rubs are offered in different formulations and every formulation is meant for specific types of usage. The most common types include:
- Alcohol-based rubs
Alcoholic rubs contain ethanol, isopropanol or a combination of these alcohols and do not need water as they are directly applied onto the hands. Alcohol-based rubs work quite fast since, after being applied to the hands, it dries fast while offering instant disinfection, making them a frequent subject of antiseptic handwash testing services.
- Chlorhexidine-based washes
This agent exhibits residual activity, which generally means that microorganisms are killed even after the product has been applied and rinsed off for situations like surgeries or patients being cared for in the ICU.
- Iodine-based antiseptics
Iodine-based antiseptic solutions are strong against wide ranges of pathogens and commonly used in the surgical sector. These antiseptics work by breaking the cell structure of the microorganism and killing them instantly. However, this may cause irritation or allergic response for some individuals.
- Non-alcoholic hand rubs
Non-alcoholic hand rubs carry antibacterial agents such as benzalkonium chloride (BZK), which destroy bacteria as well as viruses. Non-alcoholic hand rubs are preferred over alcohol-based hand rubs because they do not cause dryness of the skin. Nevertheless, the performance of non-alcoholic hand rubs may be different and hence, thorough testing is necessary to ensure that they meet the performance requirements.
Common antiseptic handwash and handrub testing methods
Antiseptic hand wash and hand rub testing include testing for skin compatibility, sensitivity and antimicrobial efficacy testing:
Skin compatibility and sensitivity testing
Apart from testing its antimicrobial efficacy, another important aspect would be determining its safety, especially regarding skin irritation and sensitization. Antiseptic handwash testing services include patch test to determine whether a product can cause irritation or allergy if applied to the skin. This becomes a particularly important aspect for products meant to be used day-to-day in large quantities, such as hand rubs in hospitals.
There are several standardized tests that evaluate the efficiency and safety of antiseptic washes and rubs. Antiseptic handwash testing services evaluate how efficient a product is in removing microorganisms while safe to use over and over.
EN 13624 test standard is a quantitative suspension test for the assessment of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity of antiseptics in the medical area.
The EN 14476 test method is a quantitative suspension test for determining the virucidal activity of hand rubs.
Is applied to develop a test method to measure the ability of a hand rub product formulation to inactivate transient viruses on the skin
The EN 13727 test method is designed to validate the bactericidal activity of hygienic hand rubs.
Provides guidelines for a quantitative suspension test for determination of bactericidal activity of chemical antiseptics.
Applicable for surgical hand rub preparations, which are anticipated to be commercially available in the European Region. It is a type of test aimed at determining the antimicrobial efficacy against both the transient and resident microbial flora that exists on the human hand skin.
These methods, integral to antiseptic handwash testing services, ensure that products are both effective and safe for repeated use.
Benefits of professional testing services for antiseptic hand washes
1.Regulatory compliance
2.Validation of product claims
3. Improved marketability
4. Continuous product improvement
Conclusion: Elevating antiseptic handwash quality with testing services
Hand rub and Antiseptic handwash testing services ensure this product is effective, safe and in conformity with regulatory standards. The established test methods that can be used in testing include ASTM E1174, ASTM E2755, EN 1500 and EN 1499. Based on the established testing methods, manufacturers can validate the claim, maintain customer confidence and achieve regulatory acceptance.
For the quality-conscious company looking to test their antiseptics and hand rub products, Microbe Investigations Switzerland(MIS) offers extensive testing services. Contact MIS today and learn how their testing can enhance your product’s performance and compliance.
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