BS EN 13624:2021 - Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Standard Number: BS EN 13624:2021

Pages: 56

Released: 2022-03-11

ISBN: 978 0 539 04818 6

Status: Standard

Overview

The BS EN 13624:2021 standard is an essential document for professionals in the medical and healthcare sectors. This comprehensive standard provides a detailed quantitative suspension test method for evaluating the fungicidal or yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. It is specifically designed for use in the medical area, ensuring that the products meet stringent requirements for efficacy and safety.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Testing Method: The standard outlines a rigorous and detailed test method to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics against fungi and yeasts.
• Medical Area Focus: Tailored specifically for the medical field, ensuring that the disinfectants and antiseptics used in healthcare settings are effective and safe.
• Phase 2, Step 1: This standard represents the first step in the second phase of testing, providing a foundational evaluation of fungicidal and yeasticidal activity.
• Up-to-Date Information: Released on March 11, 2022, this standard includes the latest research and methodologies in the field of chemical disinfection and antiseptics.

Detailed Description

The BS EN 13624:2021 standard is a critical resource for ensuring the efficacy of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics in medical environments. This document provides a quantitative suspension test method, which is a crucial tool for evaluating the fungicidal or yeasticidal activity of these products. The test method is designed to simulate real-world conditions in medical settings, providing reliable and accurate results.

The standard is divided into several sections, each detailing a specific aspect of the test method. These sections include the preparation of test organisms, the preparation of test solutions, the execution of the test, and the interpretation of results. Each section is meticulously detailed, providing clear and concise instructions to ensure consistency and accuracy in testing.

One of the key features of the BS EN 13624:2021 standard is its focus on the medical area. The test method is specifically designed to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectants and antiseptics used in healthcare settings, where the control of fungal and yeast infections is critical. This focus ensures that the products tested using this standard are suitable for use in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.

The standard also includes detailed requirements for the test method, ensuring that the results are reliable and reproducible. These requirements cover aspects such as the concentration of test organisms, the contact time, and the temperature at which the test is conducted. By adhering to these requirements, professionals can ensure that their testing is consistent with the highest standards of quality and accuracy.

Benefits

• Ensures Efficacy: By following the test method outlined in the standard, professionals can ensure that the disinfectants and antiseptics they use are effective against fungi and yeasts.
• Enhances Safety: The standard helps to ensure that the products used in medical settings are safe for both patients and healthcare workers.
• Supports Compliance: Adhering to the standard helps organizations comply with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Improves Quality Control: The detailed test method and requirements help to improve the quality control processes for disinfectants and antiseptics.

Who Should Use This Standard?

The BS EN 13624:2021 standard is an invaluable resource for a wide range of professionals in the medical and healthcare sectors, including:

• Healthcare Providers: Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities can use this standard to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the disinfectants and antiseptics they use.
• Laboratories: Testing laboratories can use the standard to conduct reliable and accurate evaluations of fungicidal and yeasticidal activity.
• Manufacturers: Manufacturers of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics can use the standard to develop and test their products, ensuring they meet the highest standards of efficacy and safety.
• Regulatory Bodies: Regulatory agencies can use the standard to establish guidelines and requirements for the use of disinfectants and antiseptics in medical settings.

Conclusion

The BS EN 13624:2021 standard is a comprehensive and essential resource for evaluating the fungicidal and yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics in the medical area. With its detailed test method and stringent requirements, this standard ensures that the products used in healthcare settings are both effective and safe. Whether you are a healthcare provider, laboratory technician, manufacturer, or regulatory body, this standard provides the guidance and tools you need to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety in your work.

BS EN 13624:2021

This standard BS EN 13624:2021 Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity in the medical area. Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1) is classified in these ICS categories:

• 11.080.20 Disinfectants and antiseptics

This document specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for fungicidal or yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with hard water, or - in the case of ready-to-use products - with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80 % or less (97 % with a modified method for special cases) as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and interfering substance. This document applies to products that are used in the medical area in the fields of hygienic handrub, hygienic handwash, surgical handrub, surgical handwash, instrument disinfection by immersion, and surface disinfection by wiping, spraying, flooding or other means. This document applies to areas and situations where disinfection or antisepsis is medically indicated. Such indications occur in patient care, for example: - in hospitals, in community medical facilities and in dental institutions; - in clinics of schools, of kindergartens and of nursing homes; and can occur in the workplace and in the home. It can also include services such as laundries and kitchens supplying products directly for the patients. NOTE 1 The method described is intended to determine the activity of commercial formulations or active substances under the conditions in which they are used. NOTE 2 This method corresponds to a phase 2 step 1 test. EN 14885 specifies in detail the relationship of the various tests to one another and to “use recommendations”.