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BS EN 13704:2018
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Quick understanding of the test
BS EN 13704:2018 - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas (phase 2, step 1)
Application
Applicable to products such as disinfectants used in food , industrial areas and more.
- Bacillus subtilis
- The test product is mixed with the test suspension and allowed to interact for a specific contact time.
- An aliquot of the mixture is transferred into a neutralizing solution, followed by plating and incubating the neutralized extract.
- The reduction in viable bacterial spores is assessed by comparing it to the original microbial culture.
- Guides manufacturers in developing more effective sporicidal disinfectants by providing a clear benchmark of performance against spores.
- Enables compliance with regulatory requirements for disinfectant products, facilitating market access and consumer trust.
Turnaround Time
Passing criteria
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Abstract
EN 13704:2018 is a quantitative suspension test (Phase 2, Step 1) to assess the sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas . The method evaluates the potency of a product in inactivation of resistant bacterial spores by simulating clean and/or dirty conditions.
Compliance with EN 13704 plays a critical role for gaining market access in Europe and in other regions adopting European standards
Scope of products for testing
This test is applicable in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. It covers:
- Chemical disinfectants
- Antiseptics
- Liquid, powder or gel formulations (Concentrates or ready-to-use products)
- Surface and equipment disinfectants
Note : This test excludes disinfectants intended for medical use and products used directly on living tissues, except those designed for hand hygiene with specifically defined application areas.
EN 13704 Test Conditions & Requirements
EN 13704 Test Method
- Test product is added to the test tube containing test suspension and interfering substances.
- For interaction between product sample and test microorganisms, mixture is left for specific contact times.
- At the end of contact time, 1 aliquot of mixture is transferred into neutralizing solution.
- In next step, neutralizing extract is plated and incubated for 48 hours to determine surviving bacterial spores.
- After incubation, reduction in viable counts is compared with original microbial culture.
Importance of EN 13704 Test
Bacterial spores, such as those from Bacillus and Clostridium species, are among the most resistant microbial forms. They survive heat, desiccation, and chemical exposure, making them difficult to eliminate in food, industrial, and institutional environments. Without a standardized way to test sporicidal performance, disinfectant claims can be unreliable.
EN 13704:2018 provides a harmonized, quantitative suspension test that scientifically verifies a disinfectantโs ability to kill resistant spores under realistic โcleanโ and โdirtyโ conditions. By standardizing test conditions, it ensures consistency and credibility of sporicidal claims. Compliance with EN 13704 not only validates product efficacy but also strengthens regulatory alignment, consumer trust, and overall hygiene safety.
Conclusion
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), we offer EN 13704 testing services to evaluate the sporicidal efficacy of chemical disinfectants.Our expert team ensures precise and compliant testing under standardized conditions, assessing your productโs ability to eliminate resistant bacterial spores and verifying its real-world performance.
With advanced laboratory infrastructure and proven expertise in antimicrobial efficacy studies, MIS delivers reliable, reproducible, and regulatory-aligned results that help you meet industry standards with confidence.
Partner with MIS to validate your disinfectant formulations under EN 13704, strengthen your compliance strategy, and ensure your products perform effectively against the toughest microbial challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
EN 13704 test is performed using practical conditions to determine whether a given chemical disinfectant is capable of showing sporicidal action in the intended area of use. However, this test is not implemented for situations where disinfection is medically indicated and to products used for disinfection of living tissues.
EN 13704 test is aimed at products used in food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas for disinfection purposes.
EN 13704 test takes 2-3 weeks to complete.
At MIS, we do EN 13704 testing using following strains : Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Bacillus cereus (CIP 105151), Clostridium sporogenes (ATCC 19404)
To pass the test, the product must show a log reduction greater than 3.
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