EN standards for disinfection: what EN 14476 and others mean
When a product label states an EN standard with a number, it references a specific laboratory test confirming efficacy against a particular group of microorganisms. Here are the most common ones.
What the numbers mean
- EN 14476 — virucidal activity (against viruses);
- EN 13727 — bactericidal activity in the medical area;
- EN 13624 — fungicidal / yeasticidal activity;
- EN 14348 — activity against mycobacteria (tuberculocidal);
- EN 1500 — hygienic hand disinfection;
- EN 14561 — bactericidal activity for instruments.
Why it matters when buying
Compliance with an EN standard is independent confirmation of the claimed efficacy, not a marketing promise. For tenders and clinic protocols it is often a mandatory requirement.
What to look at
Not only the presence of a standard matters, but also the test conditions: concentration, contact time, "dirty" or "clean" conditions. These determine how the product is used in practice.