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BS EN 17914: 2022
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Quick understanding of the test
BS EN 17914: 2022 - Quantitative suspension test method for evaluating the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics in food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas
Application
- Adenovirus
- Murine Norovirus
- Vaccinia Virus
- Poliovirus
- Parvovirus
- The test sample with the interfering substance is challenged with the test virus suspension and kept for incubation.
- After the contact time, the test mixture is neutralized. Neutralized extract is then serially diluted and transferred to a 96-well plate, and incubated.
- After the incubation period, the number of infective viruses is calculated using the TCID50 method.
- EN 17914 standard ensures that products used in critical environments such as food handling and healthcare are effective against viruses, thereby supporting public health and safety measures.
- Compliance with this standard helps manufacturers meet regulatory requirements, contributing to product approvals and market trust.
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Abstract
EN 17914 standard outlines a quantitative suspension test method to evaluate the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics intended for use in food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas. As a Phase 2, Step 1 test, it establishes minimum efficacy requirements under specified test conditions such as temperature, contact time, and interfering substances.
Scope of Application
This test is applicable to disinfectants and antiseptics that form a homogeneous, stable solution when diluted with hard water or water (for ready-to-use products). EN 17914 applies to products used in:
- Food industry (meat, dairy, beverages, flour, etc.)
- Public institutions (schools, transport, hospitals in non-sensitive areas)
- Domestic environments
- Non-food industries (cosmetics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, biotech, packaging)
The method excludes:
- Medical-grade disinfectants
- Products applied on living tissues
EN 17914 Test Conditions & Requirements
EN 17914 Test Method
- The given test sample (disinfectant) or hard water is first mixed with an interfering substance, followed by challenging the mixture with the test virus.
- The contact time for which the disinfectant sample is challenged and the temperature at which the mixture is incubated is as per the manufacturerโs recommendations or the standard guidelines.
- At the end of the contact time, an aliquot (small portion) of the test mixture is taken, and the antiviral action of the disinfectant sample is terminated using a neutralizing medium.
- The neutralizing medium with the virus is serially diluted and transferred onto a permissive monolayer of cells in a 96-well plate.
- The 96 well plates are incubated in a CO2 incubator for a specific period of time depending on the test virus.
- After the incubation period, 96 well plates are examined for CPE (cytopathic effect), and the number of the infective virus is calculated using the TCID50 method.
- Antiviral efficacy of the disinfectant sample is measured by comparing the virus titer with the control (without test product) sample.
Importance of EN 17914 Test
Viruses like Norovirus, Adenovirus, and Vaccinia virus are highly resilient pathogens that can persist on surfaces and equipment in homes, public spaces, and food production areas. While cleaning helps reduce visible dirt, itโs disinfection that breaks the chain of viral transmissionโbut only if the product used has proven virucidal efficacy. This is where EN 17914 becomes critical. It provides a rigorous standard for assessing whether a disinfectant can effectively inactivate viruses under realistic conditions. The test mimics practical applications and challenges products with interfering substances and defined temperatures. By setting clear benchmarks for virucidal performance, EN 17914 ensures that only scientifically validated disinfectants are trusted to protect public health.
Why choose MIS Lab to conduct EN 17914 testing?
MIS performs routine virucidal tests for disinfectants implied to be used in different areas of applications.
Our state-of-the-art testing facility is one of only a few facilities worldwide that provides efficacy research and data for products with antiviral/ virucidal potential.
Additionally, EN 14476, EN 17111, ASTM E 1053, and EN 16777 tests are also available for disinfectant virucidal claims in the MIS lab.
To get a quote on the EN 17914 test or if you need any additional information regarding our testing services, please contact our experts today.
Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
EN 17914 is a phase-2 step-1 test that specifies a suspension test method for evaluating the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the Food, Industrial, Domestic, and Institutional areas.
EN 17914 test applies to disinfectant/antiseptic products intended for disinfecting without mechanical action on non-porous surfaces in the Food, Industrial, Domestic, and institutional areas.
EN 17914 test takes 5-6 weeks to complete.
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland, we test for EN 17914 using the following microbial strains: Adenovirus, Poliovirus, and Murine norovirus for non-enveloped viruses and Vaccinia Virus for enveloped viruses.
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