BS EN 13610:2002 — Virucidal Claim Verification
Airmid Healthgroup conducts BS EN 13610:2002 virucidal testing for manufacturers of chemical disinfectants used in food and industrial applications. Testing is performed in our ISO 17025-accredited microbiology laboratory, with third-party validation documentation issued on passing the standard.

Scope of BS EN 13610:2002
Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity against bacteriophages of chemical disinfectants used in food and industrial areas.
Products That Can Be Tested
Chemical disinfectants that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation in hard water and are used in food and industrial areas — excluding areas where disinfection is medically indicated and excluding products used on living tissues.
How the BS EN 13610:2002 Test Works
- Test Organism Preparation: A predetermined concentration of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bacteriophage P001 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bacteriophage P008 are used as the test microorganisms. Both are propagated on the host strain Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis F7/2.
- Product Exposure: The organisms are exposed to a virucidal concentration of the test product at a concentration suitable for practical use, in the presence of an interfering substance.
- Contact Time: The suspension is maintained at 20±1°C for 15 minutes ±10 seconds. At the end of the contact time, portions are taken and immediately neutralised.
- Virucidal Activity Calculation: Virucidal activity is calculated as a function of the viability of bacteria at the start of the contact time — expressing results as a log reduction in viable phage.
BS EN 13610:2002 Testing Protocol
Third-Party Validation
On passing this test, your product can be labelled as tested by Airmid Healthgroup to BS EN 13610:2002 in support of any claim relating to the test data received. Independent third-party validation by an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory provides the evidential foundation required for regulatory submissions and consumer-facing efficacy claims.
Testing Options Sized for Your Needs
We scope every engagement to your product, timeline, and regulatory goals. These tiers serve as a starting framework.
Exploratory Screen
For teams assessing product suitability
- Product classification review
- Recommended test standard(s) report
- Interfering substance selection guidance
- Feasibility & sample requirements brief
- 1 technical consultation (60 min)
Full BS EN 13610:2002 Test
End-to-end virucidal validation
- Everything in Exploratory Screen
- Testing against phages P001 & P008
- Full suspension test at 20°C / 15 min
- Neutralisation & viability quantification
- Comprehensive GLP test report
- Airmid Healthgroup certification label
- 4-week turnaround from sample receipt
Regulatory Partner
Ongoing disinfectant compliance support
- Dedicated testing lead
- Multiple concurrent product submissions
- Extended standard portfolio coverage
- Post-market reformulation support
- Label claim verification & review
- Priority access to Airmid tools & data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BS EN 13610:2002 and what does it test?
BS EN 13610:2002 is a European standard specifying a quantitative suspension test for evaluating the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants against bacteriophages — specifically Lactococcus lactis bacteriophages P001 and P008. It is designed for disinfectants used in food and industrial settings and provides a standardised, reproducible method for demonstrating virucidal efficacy.
Why are bacteriophages used as test organisms rather than human viruses?
Bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) are used as safe surrogates for human viruses in disinfectant testing. Lactococcus lactis bacteriophages P001 and P008 are non-pathogenic and can be handled safely in standard laboratory conditions, while providing a biologically relevant model for evaluating virucidal efficacy. Their use allows testing to be conducted without the biosafety restrictions required for human pathogenic viruses.
What sectors require BS EN 13610:2002 testing?
The standard is specifically designed for chemical disinfectants used in food and industrial areas — including food processing facilities, beverage production, dairy processing, and industrial manufacturing environments where viral contamination control is a regulatory or quality requirement.
Can BS EN 13610:2002 data support BPR regulatory submissions?
Yes. BS EN 13610:2002 data generated by an ISO 17025-accredited, GLP-compliant laboratory is accepted for EU Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) dossier submissions for products claiming virucidal activity in food and industrial settings. Airmid’s reports meet the technical documentation requirements for product registration and market claims.
What will I receive after BS EN 13610:2002 testing?
You will receive a full GLP-compliant test report detailing the methodology, test conditions, virucidal activity calculations, pass/fail conclusion, and all raw data — along with the right to label your product as independently tested by Airmid Healthgroup to BS EN 13610:2002. This supports virucidal claims in marketing materials and regulatory submissions.
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