Tests designed to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of a product, such as a preservative in a cosmetic, a sanitiser in a household cleaner, or a disinfectant, have set pass requirements.
These often specify minimum log reductions or % kill to meet the requirements of the test. This article will discuss how these tests are conducted, what these terms mean, how they are calculated and how changes in the method used for the testing may lead to variations in the results achieved.
We will also cover changes to the Laboratory Accreditation Standard, ISO 17025 with regards to Measurement of Uncertainty and Statements of Conformity and what impact these changes may have on certificates of analysis issued for Testing.
Antimicrobial active substances may be included in finished goods to provide internal protection from contamination by microorganisms, or to provide an external effect to kill microorganisms on surfaces. The antimicrobial actives that may be used are governed by two main regulations; for personal care products antimicrobial actives, known as preservatives, must be included in Annex V of the Cosmetic Regulations1 whilst those used in other applications, referred to as biocides are covered by the Biocidal Products Regulation.2 Both will be referred to as biocides in this paper.
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