BS EN 1276:2019

EN 1276 is a Phase 2, Step 1 test for disinfectant products used in food, industrial, domestic, and institutional (FIDI) areas. It is the most common suspension test conducted at Melbec and assesses efficacy against four mandatory bacterial organisms for the UK and EU markets. Alternative suspension test standards exist for other organisms (such as fungi, spores, or mycobacteria) and for different industries, including the medical and veterinary sectors. Melbec offers testing to these biocidal suspension standards and holds flexible scope accreditation for accredited testing.

EN 1276 is a suspension test, meaning the product is applied to a liquid suspension of organisms, unlike surface tests where organisms are dried onto a surface. For regulatory compliance, three product concentrations must be tested—one within the active range, one within the non-active range, and a third chosen concentration.

In the EN 1276 test, the organism test suspension is mixed with an interfering substance before being added to the test product. After the designated contact time, the mixture is transferred to a neutralising solution to halt the product’s action and recover any remaining organisms. The solution is then diluted and plated onto relevant culture media for microbial counts, and the log reduction is calculated. Additional controls are included to validate the test.

Additional organism strains may be tested if required for specific applications. For example, if the product is intended for food preparation areas, organisms associated with food poisoning could be included in the test.