This European Standard specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for the microbicidal activity of a defined disinfection process for the treatment of contaminated linen. This procedure is carried out by using a washing machine as defined in Chapter 5.3.2.17 and refers to the disinfection step without prewash.
This European Standard applies to areas and situations where disinfection is indicated. Such indications occur in patient care, for example:
- in hospitals, in community medical facilities and in dental institutions
- in schools, kindergartens and nursing homes
- institutions where patients are accommodated, which could suffer from transmissible diseases
- other applications where hygienic treatment of linen is necessary (e.g. food processing, hotels, workwear e. g. from the pharmaceutical industry, laboratories, foodstuffs area or similar institutions).
The method described is intended to determine the activity of commercial formulations or active substances under the conditions in which they are used.
NOTE This method corresponds to a phase 2 step 2 test (Annex F).