Extra confidence in your surface disinfection

EC4 Sanitiser, EC9 Washroom, Est-eem/Est-eem RTU and Protect/ Protect RTU have been independently tested and pass the internationally recognised British and European Standards EN 16777 and EN 14476 with a 4-log reduction (99.99%).

EN 14476 - the more commonly used test to prove efficacy against coronaviruses, and widely promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a suspension test. 
The test product (disinfectant) is added directly to the test microorganism (virus), along with soiling agents (dirt), in a liquid suspension, held in a vessel at the test temperature for the recommended contact time.

Whilst the test product has better contact with the microorganisms in a suspended state, it is not representative of the actual environment that products are used in.

EN 16777 is a surface test, where the microorganism is mixed with a soiling agent and applied directly to a non-porous surface (metal).

As part of the test method, once dried, the test product is then applied to the surface and left for the recommended contact time.

The metal simulates commonly used surfaces found in everyday surroundings and offer a better representation of the practical conditions for a disinfectant.

A suspension test will assess the time / concentration required to support a claim, then a surface test verifies the dilutions in real-life tests. As a minimum, both suspension and surface tests need to be performed with bacteria and yeast to support claims for hard surface disinfectants. 

The recommended contact time for any product must be realistic and appropriate to the use. For example, a 30 second contact time is realistic and appropriate for an alcoholic hand-rub, but 5 minutes is not appropriate as the product would have evaporated in this time. However, if a product is to be used as a final stage disinfectant, without rinsing, then a longer contact time is acceptable, e.g. food processing disinfectants sprayed onto surfaces and left overnight or until the next shift.

EC4 Sanitiser, EC9 Washroom, Est-eem/Est-eem RTU and Protect/ Protect RTU all pass EN 16777 with a one-minute contact time. Much has been publicised about shorter contact times and effectiveness against viruses and bacteria, but a shorter contact time does not necessarily mean one product is better than another.

A compromise must be reached between safety and the claims made for a product. Increasing the contact time may mean a lower concentration is effective and is therefore safer to use. Decreasing the contact time may mean a higher concentration is required which is not always desirable e.g. for the health and safety of the user. There may also be other aspects to consider e.g. damage to surfaces or potentially higher levels of residues left on surfaces. 

During product development Evans work to achieve the right balance between product performance and safety, ensuring our customers get the best and safest products available on the market. Consumers should request test information and support data, in order to verify any claims on product labels and literature, and companies or manufacturers should make this available.

Using a disinfectant that passes EN 16777, as well as EN 14476, will give you extra confidence in your surface disinfection and infection control routine and ensure you are safeguarding your staff, your visitors, and your business reputation.

Evans has produced training videos and support literature to help users with best practice. Visit the new COVID HUB via the website to find out more https://www.evansvanodine.co.uk/