Key Takeaways
- ISO 18184 evaluates antiviral activity on textile materials
- Test assess antiviral efficacy by calculating the reduction in viral infectivity after fabric is exposed to viral strains
- Results expressed as log reduction values where โฅ3 log (โฅ99.9%) indicates strong antiviral performance
- Testing is applicable to a wide range of textile products including woven, nonwoven fabrics, cotton, yarns etc.
- Test results data can be used to support performance claims and regulatory submissions
Summary
ISO 18184 is an international standard used to evaluate the antiviral activity of textile products by measuring how effectively they reduce viral infectivity under controlled conditions. The method involves exposing treated fabrics to viruses, recovering remaining viral particles, and quantifying reduction using plaque assay or TCID50. It is widely used for validating antiviral claims in textiles like home furnishing, medical fabrics, and apparel.
What is ISO 18184?
ISO 18184 is an internationally recognized test method that determines the antiviral activity of textile products. It applies to a wide range of materials including woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics, fibers, and yarns.
Why ISO 18184 Testing Matters ?
The demand for antiviral textiles has increased significantly across industries like healthcare, apparel, and hospitality. Antiviral finishes on textiles sound promising, but before any product reaches the market, there are regulatory expectations to meet and performance claims must be backed by quantifiable data.
ISO 18184 helps bridge that gap. It provides a standardized way to measure performance, ensuring that antiviral claims are backed by scientific data. This not only builds trust with customers but also supports regulatory and marketing requirements.
ISO 18184 Test Method
Virus inoculation
A known concentration of virus is applied to the textile sample.
Contact time
The sample is incubated for a defined time under controlled conditions.
Neutralization
After the contact time, the remaining virus is extracted from the textile substrate using a neutralizing solution.
Quantification
The neutralizing solution is serially diluted and poured over the cell monolayer.
Incubation
After incubation, results are compared by calculating viral reduction on textile samples with control ( untreated textile).
Also Read: Top Facts about the JIS L 1902 Test Method
How Results Are Interpreted ?
Antiviral activity is calculated either as log reduction or percentage reduction on the test report.
| Log Reduction | Percentage Reduction | Rating |
| Log 1 | 90% | Fail |
| Log 2-3 | 99% to 99.9% | Good |
| Log 3+ | 99.9% | Excellent |
What Types of Textiles Can Be Tested?
ISO 18184 is applicable to a wide range of textile materials, including:
- Apparel fabrics
- Medical and healthcare textiles
- Yarns
- Braids
- Home furnishings and similar
- Sportswear
How to Ensure Reliable ISO 18184 Results
Use a lab equipped with state-of-the-art testing facilities
Work with labs familiar with antiviral textile testing. Small deviations in protocol can impact results.
Pre-condition samples (washing, aging) if required
This step is critical if durability claims are involved.
Sample preparing before sending the testing lab
The reliability of ISO 18184 results starts with the sample itself. Always select samples from the final production batch, not lab prototypes or specially treated pieces. Even small variations in coating, fabric structure, or finishing can significantly change antiviral performance.
Sample packaging
Sample packaging is equally critical. Samples should be sealed and protected to prevent prior microbial contamination, moisture exposure and physical damage during transit.
Select relevant virus strains
Choose viruses aligned with your product claim (e.g., enveloped viruses for antiviral finishes).
Define realistic contact time
Test conditions should reflect actual product use. Overextended contact times can give false ideas of product performance.
Why ISO 18184 is important?
The transmission of pathogens by textiles plays a significant role in the chain of infection. Textiles act as carriers of microbes that can remain viable for several days. These, in turn, contribute to the spread of infection. Antimicrobial, antiviral treatments kill the pathogens and prevent further spread of the disease. The ISO 18184 test is available for the following viruses: Influenza A (H1N1) (ATCC VR-1469), Feline Calcivirus (Strain: F-9)(ATCC VR-782), and Influenza A (H3N2) (ATCC VR-1679).
Are ISO 18184 and JIS 1922 similar testing methods ?
- Objective: Both tests aim to determine the ability of textile materials to inactivate viruses. Testing involves the challenging of test specimens with test viruses.
- Methodology: The test virus is inoculated onto the test material and a control sample. After a contact period, the remaining virus is quantified. Both tests use plaque assay and TCID50 to quantify infectious virus titer.
- Target virus: Both standards recommend testing against important respiratory viruses including Influenza A, Feline calicivirus, Human Coronavirus, and SARS-CoV-2.
- Scope of products to be tested โ Both ISO 18184 and JIS L 1922 apply to a wide range of textiles used to make surgical clothes, masks, woven & knitted fabrics, yarns, braids, and activewear.
- Results: Both tests report the antiviral activity as a reduction in viral titer (logarithmic reduction factor).
What are the differences between ISO 18184 and JIS1922 ?
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Origin: ISO 18184 is developed by the International Organization for Standardization whereas JIS L 1922 is a Japanese Industrial Standard
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Regional acceptance: ISO 18184 is used globally for antiviral textile claims while JIS L 1922 is primarily for Japan and Asian markets
ISO 18184 vs JIS L 1922
| Parameter | ISO 18184 | JIS L 1922 |
| Origin | International standard | Japan-specific standard |
| Purpose | Antiviral testing on textiles | Similar to ISO 18184 |
| Method | Measures viral infectivity reduction | Similar to ISO 18184 |
| Market Acceptance | Global markets | Japan and Asia markets |
How MIS can help!
At MIS, We offer specialized microbiology testing services and also aim at supporting the product development process of our partners in various sectors.
As an ISO 18184 testing lab, our team can help measure the antiviral activity of textile products. We test a wide range of textiles ranging from durable apparel to single-use textiles. These include face masks, bedding material, boxing gloves, leather bags, threads, medical drapes and gowns, jackets, jeans, spun bond, melt, blown, and spun lace.
We are currently testing the following antiviral viruses: Influenza A (H1N1) (ATCC VR-1469), Influenza A (H3N2) (ATCC VR-1679), Beta Coronavirus (OC-43) (ATCC VR-1558), Human Coronavirus (229E) (ATCC VR-740), and testing SARS-CoV-2. For SARS-CoV-2, we can test the Delta, Wuhan, English, or the Brazilian variant. For additional viruses, please contact the MIS lab.
FAQs
1. What is ISO 18184 used for?
It is used to evaluate the antiviral activity of textile materials by measuring the reduction in viral infectivity after incubation period.
2. What does log reduction mean in ISO 18184?
Log reduction represents how effectively a textile reduces viral load. As per ISO 18184 ,โฅ3 log reduction indicates strong antiviral activity.
3. Is ISO 18184 required for antiviral claims?
It is not mandatory. However, ISO 18184 is one of the widely accepted test methods for supporting antiviral claims before market launch.
4. Which viruses are used in ISO 18184 testing?
As per ISO 18184 standard, mandatory strains include SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2), Human Coronavirus (229E) and Beta Coronavirus (OC43). Additional strains can also be included for testing as per clients product requirements.
5. Can ISO 18184 evaluate performance after washing?
Not directly. However, fabrics can be pre-washed before testing to assess durability of antiviral performance.
6. How is antiviral activity measured in textiles?
Antiviral activity is measured by comparing viral infectivity on treated fabric versus an untreated control after a defined contact time. The difference is expressed as a log reduction value showing how much virus has been inactivated.
7. How long does ISO 18184 testing take?
Typically it takes 3-4 weeks to conduct ISO 18184 testing.
