Disinfectant Testing Lab
What is disinfectant efficacy testing (DET)?
Disinfectant Efficacy Testing (DET) is the process of testing the effectiveness of disinfectants in efficiently killing or reducing microorganisms present on any surface. Disinfectant testing ensures that these products meet the specified regulatory requirements and perform as expected in real-life usage scenarios. By determining the effectiveness of the product against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, efficacy testing helps verify the effectiveness of these products in preventing infections in varied environments, especially in high-risk areas like healthcare and public settings.
Factors affecting the efficacy of disinfection and sterilization
Evaluation of product efficacy
Test methods for disinfectants
Microbe Investigations Switzerland offers a comprehensive range of efficacy testing for surface disinfectants and antiseptics, including antibacterial, antiviral and fungicidal/yeasticidal tests. These standards include European standards (EN), ISO standards, ASTM standards and AOAC standards.
EN standards:
- EN 1276
- EN 1040: 2005
Quantitative (phase 1 suspension) test to evaluate the basic bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics
- EN 14347: 2005
- EN 14348: 2005
- EN 17126: 2018
- EN 1656: 2019
- EN 14204: 2012
- EN 13623: 2020
- EN 13704: 2018
- EN 1499: 2013
- EN 1500: 2013
- EN 12791: 2016 + A1: 2017
- EN 14561: 2006
- EN 14563: 2008
- EN 16615: 2015
- EN 16616: 2015
- EN 17272: 2022
- EN 17387: 2021
- EN 14349: 2012
- EN 16437: 2014 + A1: 2019
- EN 13697: 2015 + A1: 2019
- EN 13727: 2012 + A2:2015
ASTM standards:
- ASTM E2799: 20212
- ASTM E2871: 2021
- ASTM E2274: 2016
- ASTM E2406: 2016
- ASTM E2362: 2022
- ASTM E1153: 2022
Evaluating the efficacy of sanitizers intended for inanimate, hard, non-porous, non-food contact surfaces
- ASTM E2276: 2019
AOAC standards:
- AOAC 960.06
- AOAC 991.47
EPA standards:
- EPA #01 01A
- EPA MLB SOP MB 41
PAS standard:
- PAS 2424
Evaluating residual (bactericidal and/or yeasticidal) efficacy of liquid chemical disinfectants
EN standards:
- EN 17914: 2022
Quantitative (phase 2 step 1 suspension) test for virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas
- EN 17915: 2022
- EN 17272: 2022
- EN 14476: 2013 + A2: 2019
- EN 14675: 2015
- EN 13610: 2002
- EN 16777: 2018
- EN 17111: 2018
- EN 17122: 2019
ASTM standards:
EN standards:
- EN 1275: 2005
- EN 13624: 2013
- EN 1657: 2016
- EN 1650: 2019
- EN 17387: 2021
- EN 16438: 2014
- EN 14562: 2006
- EN 13697: 2015 + A1: 2019
- EN 17272: 2022
PAS standard:
- PAS 2424
Test method for evaluating residual bactericidal and/or yeasticidal efficacy of liquid chemical disinfectants
To learn more about disinfectant testing, please check out our blog, “The Ultimate Guide to disinfectant testing.”
Organisms tested in our disinfectant testing laboratory
Bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Legionella spp. (ATCC 700511), Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541), MRSA (ATCC 3391),
Virus
Human adenoviruses (ATCC VR-5), Vaccinia virus (ATCC VR-1549), Betacoronavirus 1 (ATCC VR-1558), Human coronavirus (ATCC VR-740), Influenza A virus (H3N2) (ATCC VR-1679), Influenza A virus (H1N1) (ATCC VR-1469), Feline calicivirus (FCV) F-9 (US Patent strain), Poliovirus Type 1 (Sabin) (LSc-2ab), Murine norovirus (MNV) (S99),
Fungi
Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16888), Penicillium funiculosum (ATCC 11797), Chaetomium globosum (ATCC 6205), Aureobasidium pullulans (ATCC 15233), Candida auris (MYA5002), Candida albicans (MTCC-3017)
Scope of disinfectant products tested at MIS
Disinfectant and antiseptic formulations used across various sectors such as human medicine, food handling and processing, industrial, domestic, veterinary settings and institutional settings are tested at MIS. We receive various product samples for testing such as –
Variables to consider for a disinfectant qualification
When conducting a disinfectant qualification, several key variables must be considered to ensure accurate and effective testing. These include:
- Following the regulatory guidelines to ensure standardized testing
- Testing both environmental isolates and reference strains to evaluate real-world and benchmark efficacy.
- Testing various types of biocides to assess broad-spectrum activity, including sporicidal efficacy.
- Conducting the disinfectant tests at relevant temperatures to reflect real-world conditions.
- Evaluating the disinfectant performance on different materials (e.g., stainless steel, glass).
- Testing disinfectants at varying contact times to assess microbial kill rates.
Using organic material to simulate real-life contamination and its impact on efficacy.
Importance of disinfectant efficacy testing
Fabric testing is essential for maintaining the quality, safety and performance of fabrics used in various industries. Below are key reasons why fabrictesting is crucial:
Ensures product effectiveness
Testing ensures that disinfectants work as expected, effectively killing or inactivating specific harmful pathogens.
Protects public health
Efficient disinfectants prevent the occurrence of breakouts and infections by reducing the spread of dangerous bacteria and viruses, fungi, etc.
Compliance with standards
Industries strictly adhere to applicable regulatory standards like EN, EPA and ISO for disinfectants in order to legally sell and use them.
Quality assurance
Manufacturers can verify and validate that the lot is reliable and consistent in order to meet the minimum efficacious level.
Informs proper usage
Testing reveals the appropriate concentration, contact time, and application methods for optimal performance.
Risk mitigation
Identifies limitations and potential inefficacies of disinfectants, enabling better risk management and safer environments.
Supports marketing claims
Verifies that product claims (e.g., “kills 99.9% of germs”) are accurate, building consumer trust and meeting advertising regulations.
Why trust MIS with your
disinfectant product testing?
At MIS, we utilize advanced technologies to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectants and antiseptics. Our team of expert microbiologists meticulously oversees testing processes to ensure precision and accuracy. We specialize in designing and executing both qualitative and quantitative tests tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our commitment at MIS is to fully understand your testing requirements and assess your products against all essential quality criteria within a set timeframe. For comprehensive disinfectant efficacy testing of your products, contact us today.
Other Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to test your product?
