Healthcare wipe testing gets real with EN 17486

As these organisations place greater emphasis on proven activity against Clostridioides difficile (C‑difficile), EN 17486 is appearing more frequently in tenders and procurement specifications, signalling a clear shift in buyer expectations. Furthermore, a growing compliance gap is emerging, with many products not yet aligned with the sporicidal requirements set out in EN 17486.

MSL is fully equipped to perform EN 17486 testing and support manufacturers in demonstrating the level of sporicidal efficacy healthcare environments now expect. EN 17486 sets out a robust method for demonstrating sporicidal efficacy, including against C. difficile, under conditions designed to reflect real‑world wipe use. By assessing products in a way that mirrors practical application, the standard provides a level of assurance that traditional sporicidal tests often fail to capture.

Megan Barrett, Operations Manager at MSL, comments: “EN 17486 is a standard no brand supplying into healthcare can afford to ignore. Healthcare environments are rightly demanding stronger evidence that wipes perform effectively against C. difficile, and this method provides that assurance. We’re now seeing a clear gap between traditional sporicidal testing and the level of evidence healthcare providers expect. Manufacturers supplying into clinical settings need to be testing to EN 17486, not only to meet procurement requirements, but to ensure their efficacy claims genuinely reflect real‑world use”.

MSL’s EN 17486 capability complements its wider disinfectant and wipe testing portfolio, including EN 16615, EN 13697, EN 13704, EN 14476, and other key standards for medical and non‑medical applications. Its expertise also includes product claim support for the BPR (Biocidal Product Regulation), claims substantiation, safety data sheets, user trials, hygiene auditing, cleanroom validation (UV and airborne disinfection), and tailored solutions for specific testing needs. Its in-house microbiology and virology labs provide a comprehensive range of standard tests, including efficacy testing against bacteria, fungi, spores, viruses, mycobacteria, and legionella. The majority of its testing, including biocidal and virology testing, is accredited by UKAS to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.

For more information, visit www.msl.io or enquire at [email protected].

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