BS EN 1276:2019

The EN 1276 is the most common biocidal test we carry out.  It is the Phase 2, step 1 test for surface and hand disinfection for the food, domestic and industrial market.  As the EN 1276 is mandatory for the European market every disinfectant for hands and surfaces should have this before being released into the market.  The only exception to this would be if you are selling into the medical or veterinary market and in which case other suspension tests are required instead.   Most people would have this test carried out first as it is usually the easier of the obligatory standards.  The EN 1276 will give you a good indication as to whether the product would have a chance of passing other tests such as the EN 13697.

The EN 1276 is a suspension test which means it is carried out in a suspension of test organism, interfering substance and test product.  The interfering substance and the organism make up 20% of this mix so even ready to use product are diluted to 80% during the testing.  If the product is prediluted before the testing starts, we increase the percentage of product by 1.25 to account for the 80% dilution.

Although there are named obligatory organisms in the EN 1276 additional bacteria can be added to support additional claims.  This regularly included Listeria, salmonella, and campylobacter.  Virtually any bacteria can be added the to EN 1276.

For BPR submission the EN 1276 is essential, and 3 concentrations must be tested.  These have to include the final usage concentration, a concentration that fails the test and then any other.  Most commonly people opt for the end concentration, 50% of that and the 10% or 1% of that.

Although the standard has specific requirements as outlines in the table certain other establishments may have more rigorous requirements.  For example, some supermarkets may insist on a shorter contact time before they will sell your product.