Disinfection is a crucial process in preventing the spread of disease and infection. However, it is important to comply with certain standards to ensure that disinfection is carried out safely and effectively. In this article, we'll look at the most important disinfection standards.
Disinfection standards are defined by regulatory bodies to ensure that disinfection products and processes are effective and safe for users. Standards vary according to product and use, but in general they set out requirements for composition, concentration, method of use and contact time.
Standard NF T72-110
In force since March 2019, the AFNOR standard NF T 72-110 deals with surface disinfection processes using contact or non-contact steam to determine bactericidal, fungicidal, yeasticidal, sporicidal and virucidal activity, including bacteriophages.
The method is designed to determine the disinfectant activity of steam surface disinfection (SSD) devices used in the human health, veterinary, agri-food, industrial and community sectors.
Standard NF EN 14885
NF EN 14885 is the European standard governing biocidal products used for disinfection. It defines the requirements and assessment methods for products used in hospitals, the food industry, the environment and the community. This standard also sets out requirements for the documentation of biocidal products.
Biocidal products are chemicals used to destroy micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. The NF EN 14885 standard guarantees that biocidal products are effective and safe for users and consumers.
Standard NF EN 14885 is divided into four parts:
- Part 1: General requirements and test methods
- Part 2: Human hygiene and medical products
- Part 3: Products for the food industry, the environment and food contact surfaces
- Part 4: Products for pets and the environment
Each part of the standard sets out specific requirements for biocidal products according to their use.
Standard NF T 72-281
Standard NF T 72-281 is the French standard governing methods for determining the bactericidal activity of antiseptics and disinfectants. This standard specifies the performance requirements for disinfectants and antiseptics, as well as the methods for assessing their effectiveness.
Disinfectants are used to destroy micro-organisms on inanimate surfaces such as walls, floors and furniture. Antiseptic products are used to destroy micro-organisms on the skin or mucous membranes.
Standard NF T 72-281 is divided into four parts:
- Part 1: Suspension method for assessing the bactericidal activity of antiseptics and chemical disinfectants used in human and veterinary medicine
- Part 2: Surface method for assessing the bactericidal activity of antiseptics and chemical disinfectants used in human and veterinary medicine
- Part 3: Suspension method for assessing the bactericidal activity of antiseptics and chemical disinfectants used in the food industry, in the home and in the community
- Part 4: Specifications for the requirements and assessment methods for chemical disinfection products used in domestic, community and food industry environments.
Example of criteria required by the aerial disinfection standard: NF T72281 :
Minimum logarithmic reduction rate required to comply with standard NF T72281 (May 2009)
- Bactericidal activity: greater than or equal to 5 log
- Yeast-killing activity: greater than or equal to 4 log
- Fungicidal activity: greater than or equal to 4 log
- Sporicidal activity: greater than or equal to 3 log
Note: A 5-log reduction is equivalent to going from 100,000 bacteria to 1 bacterium.
The test is carried out in a COFRAC-accredited laboratory.
Standard NF EN 1276
NF EN 1276 is a European standard that specifies the performance requirements for chemical disinfection products used in the medical, food, public and environmental sectors. This standard also specifies the methods for assessing product efficacy.
Standard NF EN 1276 is used to assess the efficacy of biocidal products against bacteria. This standard specifies the requirements for assessing the bactericidal efficacy of chemical disinfection products using the suspension method.
Standard NF EN 1650
NF EN 1650 is a European standard that specifies the performance requirements for chemical disinfection products used in the medical, food, public and environmental sectors. This standard also specifies the methods for assessing product efficacy.
Standard NF EN 1650 is used to assess the efficacy of biocidal products against fungi. This standard specifies the requirements for assessing the fungicidal efficacy of chemical disinfection products using the suspension method.
Standard NF EN 14476
NF EN 14476 is a European standard that specifies the performance requirements for chemical disinfection products used in the medical, food, public and environmental sectors. This standard also specifies the methods for assessing product efficacy.
Standard NF EN 14476 is used to assess the efficacy of biocidal products against enveloped viruses. This standard specifies the requirements for assessing the virucidal efficacy of chemical disinfection products using the suspension method.
Conclusion on disinfection standards
Disinfection standards are essential for guaranteeing the effectiveness and safety of biocidal products. European standards such as NF EN 14885, NF EN 1276, NF EN 1650 and NF EN 14476 specify the performance requirements for chemical disinfection products used in various fields such as medicine, the food industry, the community and the environment. French standards such as NF T 72-281 specify methods for assessing the effectiveness of disinfectant and antiseptic products. It is important to refer to these standards to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of a professional disinfectant.
At IBL Specifik we design equipment that meets these standards for the disinfection of every area and every professional or industrial site. Find the list of our cleaning and disinfection equipment and products here.
Discover also benefits of steam cleaning and how it also disinfects.
For more information on disinfection standards, visit the Microbiological Research Institute (MRI)
FR_FR