April 4, 2022
On 4th April 2022, a new industry standard for automated UV disinfection devices was published. BS 8628:2022 is now the industry standard, and our in-house laboratories are set up to implement testing to BS 8628:2022. Any facility employing the use of disinfection using ultraviolet radiation should ensure that they are aware of the changes now in effect and whether their system is fit for use under the new guidance.
Largely based on the existing airborne disinfection standard EN 17272:2020, with some minor variations for UV devices, this new method standardises a distance for the emitter from a test surface, allowing for an assessment of power versus contact time for the UV unit. It covers the requirements and methodology for testing the efficacy of UV devices, determining bactericidal, mycobactericidal, sporicidal, yeasticidal, fungicidal, virucidal and phagocidal activities.
Previously, remote UV systems had no formal guidance on their effectiveness. The assumption of efficacy had been based on available research papers and in-house test methods of multiple testing laboratories or research facilities, which means that each different machine may have been tested in completely different ways – if it has undergone testing at all.
For cleanroom and sterile environments especially, it is imperative that whole room decontamination systems, such as disinfection devices that use ultraviolet radiation, are effective. This new method offers proven efficacy, giving assurance that the system employed at your facility is both suitable for use and effective against the organisms that pose the greatest risks.
To book a test or for further information or advice, please contact us.