Testing for Hand Sanitizers and Disinfectants

Comprehensive SGS testing and registration for hand sanitizers and disinfectants.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the requirement for large quantities of hand sanitizers and disinfectants has challenged global supply chains. As a result, authorities have responded by easing restrictions. In addition, sanitizers and disinfectants for medical, food and veterinary use are being used in daily life.

Hand sanitizers and disinfectants are designed to eliminate pathogens, such as bacteria, yeasts, fungi and/or viruses to reduce infection potential. Hand sanitizers and disinfectants can contain soap and water, alcohols or other active substances, and can vary in their efficacy against specific pathogens. There are three main scopes of application:

Food, industry, domestic and institutional areas
Medical areas
Veterinary areas

The area of use defines which standards are applicable.

As the latest legislative changes to regulations continue to adapt, you need to ensure your hand sanitizers and disinfectants meet all requirements and standards. Our comprehensive testing and registration service for hand sanitizers and disinfectants helps ensure your products remain compliant with current market regulations.

Contact us today, to discuss your hand sanitizer and disinfectant testing requirements.

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Hand sanitizer in non-medicinal areas (excluding veterinary areas)

Bactericidal activity – EN 1276: bactericidal activity is determined by a quantitative suspension test
Fungicidal and yeasticidal activity – EN 1650: fungicidal and yeasticidal activity is determined by a quantitative suspension test
Hygienic handwash – EN 1499: hygienic hand wash efficacy is tested against a soap reference on human skin
Hygienic handrub – EN 1500: hygienic hand disinfectant efficacy is tested against an isopropanol reference on human skin

Hand sanitizer in medical areas (in addition to EN 1499 and EN 1500)

Bactericidal activity – EN 13727: bactericidal activity is determined by a quantitative suspension test
Yeasticidal activity – EN 13624: yeasticidal activity is determined by a quantitative suspension test
Surgical hand disinfection – EN 12791: surgical hand disinfectant efficacy is tested on the resident microbial flora on human skin

Efficacy test for virucidal activity – EN 14476

The virucidal activity of hand sanitizers and disinfectants can be tested by an EN 14476 quantitative suspension test. The standard defines three levels of virucidal activity for hand sanitizers:

Virucidal activity: effective against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses
Limited virucidal activity PLUS: effective against enveloped viruses, Adeno virus and murine Noro virus
Limited virucidal activity: effective against enveloped viruses

Surface disinfectants

Surface disinfectants are divided into two main applications: with mechanical action (e.g. wet wipes) and without mechanical action (e.g. sprays). They are also segmented into medical, food, industry, household and institutional, and veterinary use.

Quantitative suspension tests (to EN 1276 and EN 1650, or EN 13727 and EN 13624) are used for efficacy tests too, excluding products for veterinary use. In addition to suspension tests, efficacy is also tested with simulated laboratory testing, using surface tests such EN 13697 for bactericidal, fungicidal and yeasticidal on non-porous surfaces.

Why SGS?

SGS provides full range of efficacy tests for hand sanitizers and disinfectants. With in-depth expertise and an extensive global network, we can support you through the process of getting your product to market.

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