What is BS EN 15457 – Fungus resistance test for film preservatives about?  
BS EN 15457 specifies a laboratory test method for determining the biocidal or biostatic efficacy of single active substances or combinations thereof used in film preservatives of coatings against fungal growth. BS EN 15457 does not apply to coatings unsusceptible to fungal growth. The test method covers only active substances for film preservation. It does not indicate the efficacy of the coating film to protect itself or an underlying material. The test method is applicable for active substances used for the protection of wood and masonry coatings. It is not applicable to marine coatings.
Note 1: Safety, health and environmental aspects are not in the scope of this document.
Note 2: Determination of the performance of film preservatives in coatings by applying ageing procedures is not within the scope of this document.
Who is BS EN 15457 - Fungus resistance test for film preservatives for? 
BS EN 15457 on ‘fungus resistance test for film preservatives’ is useful for: 
- The paints and varnishes industry
- The construction/building industry
- The wood processing industry
- The chemical industry
- Professionals dealing with masonry/wood coating
- Manufacturers of coatings for wood and masonry
- Product design engineers/innovation teams
- Quality control/testing personnel
- Research laboratories
Why should you use BS EN 15457 – Fungus resistance test for film preservatives?  
BS EN 15457 identifies criteria to assess the efficacy of film preservatives in a coating against fungi. The results of the method allow evaluation of an active substance with regard to its inclusion in Annex I of the Biocidal Product Regulation 528/2012 (Regulation EU No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market – BPR).
The characteristics of the biocide treated coating material should conform to national regulations with regard to health, safety and the environment.
BS EN 15457 guides you with aspects for conducting the tests such as:
- Apparatus and materials
- Guidance on fungi
- Sampling and preparation of test samples and specimens
- Procedure
- Test report
BS EN 15457 guidelines help you to assess the resistance of film preservatives in a coating against fungi so that users of the space are able to function in a fungus-free environment. This contributes towards the health of occupants of the structure.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 15457:2022 supersedes BS EN 15457:2014 which has been withdrawn. BS EN 15457:2022 includes some technical and editorial changes with reference to BS EN 15457:2014. These include:
- New terms and definitions have been added
- The use of terms and definitions throughout the document has been corrected
- The procedure in 8.4 has been corrected: the suspension is spread out onto the test specimen
- Figure A.1 has been corrected in accordance with corrected procedure in 8.4
- normative references have been updated
