A new International Standard Organisation (ISO) committee for biocidal surfaces has been formed to ensure we are fit for the battle against germs.
With the whole world now washing their hands more than ever before, we are well aware of the importance of keeping things clean.
According to the World Health Organisation, one in ten patients catch an infection while receiving medical care and effective infection prevention and control reduce healthcare-associated infections by at least 30 %.
Contamination control to prevent infections and the spread of pathogens is also a key preoccupation in many other industries, such as animal health, food, farming, cosmetics, transport and more.
Biocidal surfaces are a valuable tool because they destroy or inactivate unwanted pathogens, thus contributing to a cleaner environment.
However, the performance of such surfaces can vary, giving rise to the need for effective guidelines and test methods to ensure they are up to scratch.
The newly created ISO expert committee ISO/TC 330, Surfaces with biocidal and antimicrobial properties, aims to resolve such inconsistencies by developing internationally agreed requirements and guidance. Its purpose is to develop standards for test methods to assess the biocidal performance and efficacy of any surfaces with antimicrobial activities, and their compatibility with different disinfectants and cleaning agents.
ISO/TC 330 will be chaired by AFNOR, ISO’s member for France. Those interested in contributing to the technical committee should contact their national ISO member.
