MICROBIOLOGICAL EFFICACY TESTINGGuideline for Disinfectant – EN 14885

EN 14885 specifies the methods to be performed to analyze the efficacy of disinfectants
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EN 14885 specifies the efficacy tests required for disinfectants used in different application areas according to European Standard.
The table below summarizes the test methods required for disinfectants used in the medical area.
PRODUCTS IN THE MEDICAL AREA
SPECTRUM OF ACTIVITY
BACTERICIDAL
YEASTICIDAL/ FUNGICIDAL
TUBERCULOCIDAL/ MYCOBACTERICIDAL
VIRUCIDAL
SPORICIDAL
PHASE STEP
2,1
2,2
2,1
2,2
2,1
2,2
2,1
2,2
2,1
2,2
Hygienic handrub
EN 13727
EN 1500
EN 13624Β 
(hand disinfectants do not require mold testing)
***
EN 14348
***
EN 14476
***
***
***
Hygienic handwash
EN 1499
EN 14348
***
EN 14476
***
***
***
Surgical handrub or handwash
EN 12791
***
***
***
***
***
***
Surface disinfectant
EN 13727Β 
EN 17387*Β Β 
EN 16615**Β 
EN 13624
EN 17387*
EN 16615**
EN 14348
***
EN 14476
EN 16777*
EN 17126
EN 17846**
Airborne disinfectant
***
EN 17272
***
EN 17272
***
EN 17272
***
EN 17272
***
EN 17272
Instrument disinfectant
EN 13727Β 
EN 14561
EN 13624Β 
EN 14562
EN 14348
EN 14563
EN 14476Β 
EN 17111
EN 17126
***
Textile disinfectant
***
EN 16616
***
EN 16616
EN 14348
(dirty condition)
EN 16616
EN 14476
(dirty condition)
***
EN 17126
***
* Without mechanical action
** With mechanical action
*** No relevant standards currently available
Click here to know more about the European Standards for disinfectant products used in the Veterinary Area.
Click here to know more about the European Standards for disinfectant products used in the Food, Industrial, Domestic and Institutional Areas.
Bactericidal Tests

Medical Area
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity in the medical area
EN 17387:2021
– Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and yeasticidal, and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in the medical area
EN 16615:2015
– Quantitative test method for the evaluation of bactericidal and yeasticidal activity on non-porous surfaces with mechanical action employing wipes in the medical area (4-field test)
EN 14561:2006
– Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity for instruments used in the medical area

Food, Industrial, Domestic and Institutional Areas
EN 1276:2019
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity in the food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas
EN 13697:2023
– Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used without mechanical action in the food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas

Veterinary Area
EN 1656:2019
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity in the veterinary area
EN 14349:2012
– Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants used without mechanical action in the veterinary area
EN 16347:2014
– Quantitative porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants used without mechanical action in the veterinary area
EN 17422:2022
– Quantitative surface test for the evaluation bactericidal activity of teat disinfectants used in the veterinary area

Yeasticidal & Fungicidal Tests

Medical Area
EN 13624:2021
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity in the medical area
EN 17387:2021
– Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and yeasticidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in the medical area
EN 16615:2015
– Quantitative test method for the evaluation of bactericidal and yeasticidal activity on non-porous surfaces with mechanical action employing wipes in the medical area (4-field test)
VAH Method 14.2
– Surface disinfection with mechanical action for fungicidal activity (4-field test)
EN 14562:2006
– Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity for instruments used in the medical area

Food, Industrial, Domestic and Institutional Areas
EN 1650:2019
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity in the food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas
EN 13697:2023
– Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in the food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas

Veterinary Area
EN 1657:2016
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity in the veterinary area
EN 16438:2014
– Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in the veterinary area

Tuberculocidal & Mycobactericidal Tests

Medical Area
EN 14348:2005
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants in the medical area including instrument disinfectants
VAH Method 14.1
– Surface disinfection without mechanical action for mycobactericidal activity
VAH Method 14.2
– Surface disinfection with mechanical action for mycobactericidal activity (4-field test)
EN 14563:2008
– Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal or tuberculocidal activity of chemical disinfectants used for instruments in the medical area

Veterinary Area
EN 14204:2012
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants in the veterinary area

Virucidal Tests

Medical Area
EN 14476:2013+A2:2019
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity in the medical area
EN 16777:2018
– Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of virucidal activity for non-porous surfaces used in the medical area
EN 17111:2018
– Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of virucidal activity for instruments used in the medical area

Food, Industrial, Domestic and Institutional Areas
EN 13610:2002
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of activity against bacteriophages in the food and industrial areas

Veterinary Area
EN 14675:2015
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in the veterinary area

Sporicidal Tests

Medical Area
EN 17126:2018
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in the medical area
EN 17846:2023
– Quantitative test method for the evaluation of sporicidal activity against Clostridium difficile on non-porous surfaces with mechanical action employing wipes in the medical area (4-field test)

Food, Industrial, Domestic and Institutional Areas
EN 13704:2018
– Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in the food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas

Hand Disinfectant Tests

Medical Area
EN 1499:2013
– Hygienic handwash
EN 1500:2013
– Hygienic handrub – Bactericidal
EN 12791:2016+A1:2017
– Surgical hand disinfection
EN 17430:2024
– Hygienic handrub – Virucidal

Residual Activity or Long-lasting Effect of Disinfectant

Publicly Available Specifications Methods
1. PAS 2424
– disinfectant residual efficacy evaluation on non-porous hard surfaces

TECOLAB In-house Methods
1. In-House Method 002 Residual Virucidal Activity of Hand Sanitizers
– Residual efficacy evaluation of hand disinfectant product against virus usingΒ in-vitro skin model
2. In-House Method 003 Residual Bactericidal Activity of Hand Sanitizers
– Residual efficacy evaluation of hand disinfectant product against bacteria using in-vitro skin model

Have other specific claims in mind that do not fall under the scope of the European Norms above? Check out the other test methods we offer according to ASTM, ISO and even customized methods or contact us for further consultation.