EN 14347 outlines a standard approach to assess the sporicidal activity of disinfectants, ensuring that products meet a baseline of effectiveness. This standard provides clear guidelines for testing, allowing for consistent and reliable comparison of products. In an increasingly competitive biocidal market, compliance with EN 14347 can provide manufacturers with a distinct advantage, demonstrating product superiority and regulatory compliance. This article briefly explains the importance of this standard and how compliance can be used as a competitive edge in the market.
The Importance of EN 14347 compliance
Ensuring public health and safety
- EN 14347 compliance is important for all the products that are intended to be used in the prevention of spore-related infections. The compliance of EN 14347 is necessary not only for the disinfectant products targeting hospitals but also for industrial, food, domestic, and other sectors. By using EN 14347-certified products, the risk of disease outbreak due to spore-forming bacteria can be efficiently reduced in various settings.
Regulatory compliance and market access
- EN 14347 prescribes basic requirements for ensuring market access to chemical disinfectants and antiseptic products in many European countries and in countries or regions that accept the requirements established by EN 14347. Regulatory enforcement is very stringent about complying with these standards. Non-compliance can lead to robust regulatory enforcement that may include product recalls and product bans. Such actions can severely damage the brand’s reputation and have an adverse effect on the financial position of the brand.
Quality assurance
- Compliance with EN 14347 is proof of the quality and efficacy of a biocidal product. It assures customers that the product has been rigorously tested and proven effective against a broad spectrum of spores, some of the toughest forms of microorganisms to eradicate.
Differentiation in a crowded market
- Given that the biocidal market is competitive, EN 14347-compliant products will emerge at the top with an excellent source of evidence for their effectiveness against one of the most difficult classes of pathogens. This is most valuable for industries which operate in the most demanding requirements on hygiene and safety, such as health and food.
Building trust
- Compliance with EN 14347 may serve as a hallmark of quality and reliability, therefore, it is a fundamental step in instilling trust among consumers and professionals. This will also be important for the sake of solid, sustainable relationships and loyalty to some brands because users will believe in using those brands which provide a commitment to safety and effectiveness.
Facilitating international trade
- Compliance can also facilitate access to international markets as many countries look to European standards as benchmarks for quality and safety. By meeting these standards, manufacturers can streamline the approval process in new markets, reducing the time and cost associated with launching products globally.
Navigating compliance challenges
Understanding the standard
- The initial step toward compliance should be a proper understanding of the standard and the test methodologies, the documentation, and the quality assurance processes based on compliance.
Investing in research and development
- Most compliance demands a huge investment in R&D for developing products that meet not only the efficacy as per the standard but also other critical factors, such as safety and environmental impact. It is quite a big strategic investment that will certainly pay off in the long-term market positioning.
Partnership with accredited laboratories
- Testing for compliance should be carried out in partnership with accredited laboratories that specialize in EN 14347. These partnerships ensure that the testing protocols are accurately followed and that the results are reliable and defensible.
Strategic Implementation of EN 14347 compliance
Incorporating compliance into product development
- Compliance with EN 14347 should be a part of the development process of the product from concept to market launch. This proactive approach can save time and cost of post-development compliance testing.
Leveraging compliance in marketing
- Once compliance is achieved, it has to be well publicized in the marketing and promotional efforts. EN 14347 compliance will be yet another feature for marketing the product, particularly in the sectors that require one to be effective against the spores.
Continuous compliance and improvement
- Compliance is a continuous commitment. Companies should establish processes for ongoing compliance monitoring and product improvement to adapt to evolving standards and microbial resistance patterns.
The role of antimicrobial testing laboratories
Antimicrobial testing laboratories carry out the certification, and continuous assessment of the effectiveness of products. Moreover, they carry out the critical evaluation of the sporicidal effectiveness of disinfectants and antiseptics, hence playing a crucial role in certifying such products for market preparation.
These labs can also confirm that a product is sufficiently effective against highly resistant bacterial spores, through rigorous testing. This is among the many requirements put in place by the regulatory bodies and is the process crucial for manufacturers who wish to have a strategic position in a competitive market under high regulatory constraints yet maintaining the required standards for public health.
At MIS, we combine thorough scientific analysis with deep regulatory knowledge to help your products achieve and maintain market-leading status. We specialize in precise antimicrobial testing to ensure your products comply with the EN 14347 standard. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with accurate and reliable results to ensure your products are safe, effective, and ready for the competitive biocidal market.
Contact MIS today for more information on EN 14347 testing service.
