What is BS EN 13623 - Test method for chemical disinfectants about?
BS EN 13623 specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant. The products intended to be used for treatment in aqueous systems against Legionella pneumophila that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with buffered ferrous hard water or hard water. Whenever Legionella pneumophila poses a risk to human health, this method is suitable for water used in cooling towers and water for general purposes, like spas, pools, showers, and other uses.
Note1: the method is not suitable for electrochemical disinfection.
Note2: this method does not consider the fact that Legionella pneumophila is often found in cells of amoebae and/or biofilms and that thereby a product’s activity against the bacteria may be reduced.
Note3: BS EN 13623 applies to products used as a single application shock treatment to kill legionella pneumophila.
Note4: BS EN 13623 is not suitable for the evaluation of those products that are dosed continuously into water systems to control the growth of legionella pneumophila.
Who is BS EN 13623 - Test method for chemical disinfectants for?
BS EN 13623 on suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity against legionella is useful for:
- Chemical disinfectants manufacturers
- Antiseptic manufacturers
- Testing laboratories
- Analysers
Why should you use BS EN 13623 - Test method for chemical disinfectants?
Proliferation of Legionella only occurs in waters under certain conditions, and predominantly poses a risk when aerosolised. BS EN 13623 specifies a suspension test for establishing whether a chemical disinfectant has bactericidal activity against Legionella pneumophila.
BS EN 13623 is specifically prepared for water treatment products, but also possible to use it for other products.
If the product meets the requirements of BS EN 13623, that is considered bactericidal Legionella pneumophila, but this product should not be considered acceptable to anyone.
BS EN 13623 specifies the terms that are intended for general purposes and to allow reference in laboratory types of products. Each concentration of the chemical disinfectant detected by this test corresponds to the one defined experimental condition. However, product use recommendations for some applications are different and therefore additional testing conditions must be used.
BS EN 13623 provides requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant products that help you to prevent legionnaires in water.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13623:2020 supersedes BS EN 13623:2010, which is withdrawn.
BS EN 13623:2020 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 13623:2010.These include:
- A new paragraph was added to the scope to state that the method is not suitable for continuously dosed products
- Referenced strains in national collections" was added
- The calculation errors were corrected
