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ISO 18184: 2025 test method
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Quick understanding of the test
ISO 18184 test method - This International Standard (ISO 18184: 2025) specifies testing method for the determination of the antiviral activity of the textile products against viruses.
Applicable for a wide range of textiles including woven and knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics, cotton, fibres, yarns, braids, feathers,surgical clothes, masks or similar products.
Mandatory test strains
- SARS-CoV-2
- Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2)
- Human Coronavirus (229E)
- Beta Coronavirus (OC43)
- Samples and controls are challenged with the test virus.
- After incubation, samples are neutralized with a suitable neutralizing solution.
- Virus recovered in the neutralizing solution is then serially diluted, and the infectious titre of the recovered virus is determined using plaque assays or TCID50 assays.
Benefits
- Test assesses both enveloped and non-enveloped viral strains, thus providing a comprehensive product assessment.
- Provides measurable data on antiviral activity (log reduction), offering actionable insights for manufacturers.
Turnaround Time
- Standard turnaround: 4 weeks.
- Fast Track program: 2โ3 weeks (based on the virus strain).
Results
Passing criteria
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Abstract
ISO 18184, originally published in 2014 and revised in 2019, is a standardized test method for evaluating the antiviral activity of textile products. The 2025 update expands its scope to cover both woven and non-woven materials. ISO 18184:2025 provides a reliable framework for manufacturers and laboratories to evaluate and ensure textile efficacy, supporting the growing need for antiviral protection in textiles due to rising viral threats.
Products that can be tested with ISO 18184
ISO 18184 can be used to evaluate the antiviral activity of different textile products, such as
- woven, non-woven & knitted fabrics
- yarns
- active wear
- socks
- daily wear
- health care products such as scrubs, masks, & surgical clothes,
- and other home textiles.
ISO 18184 is used for textile products that are hydrophilic in nature. For hydrophobic textiles, ISO 21702 shall be used to evaluate antiviral activity.
Sample Preparation
Control Sample โ 9 sterilized control (untreated) specimens with a mass of 0.4g ยฑ 0.05g are required for ISO 18184 testing.
- 3 control specimens are used to determine the infectious titre of the virus immediately after inoculation.
- 3 control specimens are used to determine the infectious titre of the remaining virus after inoculation for a โcontact timeโ (Standard โcontact timeโ is 2 hours, but can go up to 24 hours).
- 3 control specimens are used for cytotoxicity analysis.
Test samples โ 6 sterilized test (treated) samples with a mass of 0.4g ยฑ 0.05g are required for ISO 18184 testing.
- 3 treated specimens to determine the infectious titre of the remaining virus after inoculation is in contact with the treated specimen, same as the control specimen.
- 3 treated specimens are used for cytotoxicity analysis.
We test using following organisms: SARS CoV-2, Beta Coronavirus (OC-43) (ATCC VR-1558), Human Coronavirus (229E) (ATCC VR-740), Influenza A (H1N1) (ATCC VR-1469), Influenza A (H3N2) (ATCC VR-1679), Adenovirus, Norovirus, Poliovirus, Vaccinia virus, Feline Calicivirus
ISO 18184 Test Procedure
- Control and treated samples are placed in separate sterile plates.
- The 200 uL of the virus is inoculated on both the control and the treated samples.
- Immediately after the inoculation of the virus, 20 ml of SCDLP ( used as a neutralizing solution) is added to 3 control samples.
- After a specific contact period, 20 ml of SCDLP broth is added to 3 treated and 3 untreated samples to recover the remaining virus.
- The wash-out solution is serially diluted up to 10 dilutions, and the infectious titre of the recovered virus is determined either by Plaque assay or by TCID50 assay. Other assays can also be used based on the virus strain.
Antiviral Activity and Performance Standard
The antiviral activity is determined by the following equation.
Mv = Log10 (Va) โ Log10 (Vc)
Where,
Mv is the antiviral activity value
Log10 (Va) is the logarithm average of 3 infectivity titre value immediately after inoculation of the control specimen
Log10 (Vc) is the logarithm average of 3 infectivity titre value after specific contact time with the test specimen.
As per the ISO 18184, If the log value is between 2 and 3, the antiviral performance of the textile product is considered good. If the log value is greater than or equal to 3, then the antiviral performance of textile product is considered excellent.
Antiviral activity value (Mv) | Efficacy Rating |
2 โค Mv < 3 | Good Effect Level |
Mv โฅ 3 | Excellent Effect Level |
Table 1: Antiviral performance standard
Conclusion
Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), we evaluate the efficacy of a wide range of antimicrobial textile materials such as woven, non-woven & knitted fabrics and textile clothes.
For antiviral activity, we use standard methods like JIS L 1922 and ISO 18184. To evaluate bactericidal efficacy, we employ protocols like ISO 20743, JISL 1902, and AATCC-147.
We also offer a comprehensive array of testing services to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of plastics, coatings, and surface disinfectants.
To request a quote or for more information on ISO 18184 testing, get a free consultation from our experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
The ISO 18184 is an antiviral textile test that measures virucidal antimicrobial activity on textiles and other porous materials. Test standard is designed to test the ability of textiles and other similar materials to kill virus. Standard virus exposure times range from 2 hours to less than 24 hours.
ISO 18184 is applicable to wide range of textiles including woven and knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics, cotton, fibres, yarns, braids, feathers, surgical clothes, masks and similar products.
The turnaround time for ISO 18184 test is 4 weeks. We also offer โFast Trackโ program, where the turnaround time is 2-3 weeks depending on the virus strain.
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland, we understand the need for accuracy and speed. We test for the ISO 18184 using the following viruses: SARS CoV-2 (Omicron, Delta, Wuhan variant), Betacoronavirus 1 (OC43) (ATCC VR-1558), Human coronavirus 229E (ATCC VR-740), Influenza A (H1N1) (ATCC VR-1469), Influenza A (H3N2) (ATCC VR-1679), Human Poliovirus type 1 (LSc-2ab), Human Adenovirus type 5 (ATCC VR-5), and Murine Norovirus (S99).
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