Biocide Efficiency Tests

Biocidal products are used to protect people and animals, protect property, stop pests such as insects or rodents, and control viruses, bacteria and fungi through a chemical or biological action. Common examples are disinfectants, wood preservatives and insect repellents.

Generally, a biocidal product is a mixture of chemicals and contains an active substance. The active substance has a controlling effect on the harmful organism. Mainly biocidal products can be:

• Fully active ingredient with no other ingredients
• Articles impregnated with active ingredient, such as disinfecting wipes
• Bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms

In biocidal products that do not contain an active substance, the active substance is formed by mixing the product with another chemical or when the product reacts with air or moisture. For example, a machine can produce ozone from oxygen in the air for use as a disinfectant.

Legislation enacted ensures that when used correctly, biocidal products do not harm people, pets or the wider environment. Some types of biocidal products have more specific legal regulations that apply to them. For example, pesticides, human drugs, medical devices, veterinary drugs and cosmetics. To import or market a biocidal product, the biocidal product must comply with the relevant legal regulations. Before a biocidal product is placed on the market, it must be documented. Before the product is authorized, the active substance or substances it contains or produces must be approved for use in that product type.

The biocide efficiency test is a stress test that combines the cleaning verification and cleaning processes of the production environmental program into a single validation test to verify that it will protect from inevitable microbial attack.

Essentially, these tests include five types of tests to cover different groups of microbes:

• Staphylococcus aureus: Gram-positive cocci commonly found in humans cause toxic shock, food poisoning, skin infections.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Gram-negative rod, skin and lung pathogen commonly found in aquatic and soil environments.
• Bacillus subtilis: Gram-positive spore-forming rod. Spores are resistant to disinfection.
• Candida albicans: A fungal yeast causes thrush.
• Aspergillus brasiliensis: A filamentous fungus.

Our organization also provides biocide efficiency testing services with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.