What is BS EN 1656 – Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics about?
BS EN 1656 specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with hard water or - in the case of ready-to-use products - with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80% or less, as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and interfering substances.
The method described in BS EN 1656 is intended to determine the activity of commercial formulations or active substances under the conditions in which they are used.
BS EN 1656 applies to products that are used for equipment disinfection by immersion, surface disinfection by wiping, spraying, flooding or other means and teat disinfection in the veterinary area – e.g., in the breeding, husbandry, production, veterinary care facilities, transport and disposal of all animals except when in the food chain following death and entry into processing industry.
BS EN 1656 also applies to products used for teat disinfection in these veterinary areas.
This method described in BS EN 1656 does not apply to evaluating hand hygiene products' activity. For these products reference is made to EN 14885, which specifies in detail the relationship of the various tests to one another and to “use recommendations”.
Note: This method corresponds to a phase 2 step 1 test.
Who is BS EN 1656 – Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics for?
BS EN 1656 on chemical disinfectants and antiseptics is relevant to:
- Manufacturers of Rubber compounding ingredients
- Chemical Engineers
- Any entity responsible for hygiene and cleanliness
- Any entity responsible for testing and quality of disinfectants
Why should you use BS EN 1656 – Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics?
Antiseptics and disinfectants are both widely used to control infections. They use chemicals called biocides to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
BS EN 1656 specifies a suspension test for establishing whether a chemical disinfectant or antiseptic has a bactericidal activity in the fields described in the scope.
BS EN 1656 specifies the method for determining the activity of commercial formulations or active substances when used in the conditions under which they are used, and applies to products used for equipment disinfection by immersion.
Overall, BS EN 1656 is a comprehensive guide to provide a quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of the bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the veterinary area, so users will gain a comprehensive understanding of the quality of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics to improve hygiene and cleanliness.
