BS 8628:2022 – UV testing

Disinfection using ultraviolet radiation – Methods for quantitative testing of automated ultraviolet disinfection activities by direct illumination – Determination of bactericidal, mycobactericidal, sporicidal, yeasticidal, fungicidal, virucidal and phagocidal activities.

It is very useful to now have a standard for UV disinfection machines. For many years Melbec have tested UV machines trying to base testing protocols on relevant standards and real-life scenarios of how the machine would be used. Unfortunately, not all testing in the sector was carried out in the same way. This led to a wide variety in log reductions achieved which were not necessarily based on the performance of the machine being tested but more around how realistic the test protocol was with reference to how the machine would be used in the field.

For this reason, a standardised method is very welcome.

The standard specifies a method for determining efficacy of processes for applications in human health, veterinary, food, industrial and institutional areas and can be used to make a range of efficacy claims including: Bactericidal, fungicidal, mycobactericidal, yeasticidal, sporicidal, virucidal and phagocidal.

The minimum requirements to be compliant with the standard are passes for the bactericidal and yeasticidal sections.

The standard is specific to disinfecting enclosures and does not include air and water disinfection, manually applied systems or continuous throughput conveyor systems.

Much of the standard is based on BS EN 17272:2020, Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics — Methods of airborne room disinfection by automated process — Determination of bactericidal, mycobactericidal, sporicidal, fungicidal, yeasticidal, virucidal and phagocidal activities.

The test process is carried out in an enclosure with dimensions, machine locations and test surface locations and orientations specified in the standard.

The standard specifies the log reduction requirements which must be achieved by the different groups of organisms in order to make an efficacy claim.

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