BS EN 13697:2015 Non-Porous Surface Bactericidal and Fungicidal Activity Testing
Airmid Healthgroup provides independent, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited BS EN 13697:2015 testing services — delivering quantitative bactericidal and fungicidal efficacy data for disinfectant manufacturers seeking European regulatory compliance, BPR submissions, and third-party validated surface disinfectant claims.
The Key Standard for Surface Disinfectant Claims in Europe
BS EN 13697:2015 is the European standard for quantitative non-porous surface testing — evaluating how effectively a disinfectant product kills bacteria and fungi on hard, non-porous surfaces such as floors, worktops, tiles, and equipment. It is a Phase 2 Step 2 test, simulating real-world surface disinfection under both clean and dirty conditions.
Scope of BS EN 13697:2015
BS EN 13697:2015 specifies a quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas.
Unlike suspension tests (such as BS EN 1276), which evaluate efficacy in liquid suspension, BS EN 13697 simulates the real-world scenario where a disinfectant is applied to a contaminated hard surface — making it the most relevant test for products marketed as surface disinfectants or hard surface cleaners.
BS EN 13697:2015 Testing Protocol
How the BS EN 13697:2015 Test Works
- Surface Contamination: A defined volume of the test organism suspension — combined with the appropriate interfering substance — is applied to a non-porous test surface carrier and allowed to dry under controlled conditions.
- Product Application: The disinfectant product is applied to the contaminated surface at the intended use concentration and left for the specified contact time.
- Neutralisation: After the contact period, the surviving microorganisms are recovered from the surface and the disinfectant activity is immediately neutralised to prevent further killing during analysis.
- Enumeration: The recovered organisms are serially diluted and plated on appropriate agar. Colony forming units (CFUs) are counted after incubation to determine the number of viable organisms remaining on the surface.
- Log Reduction Calculation: The reduction in viable organisms on the treated surface is calculated as a log₁₀ reduction compared to the untreated control — with separate results reported for bactericidal and fungicidal activity as applicable.
Why BS EN 13697:2015 Matters
Real-World Surface Simulation
Unlike suspension tests, BS EN 13697 tests efficacy directly on a contaminated hard surface — providing data that genuinely reflects how the product performs in real-world use.
BPR Regulatory Compliance
BS EN 13697:2015 data supports EU Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) dossier submissions for surface disinfectants — a legal requirement for products claiming bactericidal or fungicidal activity on hard surfaces.
Professional Procurement
Healthcare facilities, food processors, and professional cleaning buyers specify BS EN 13697 validation for procurement decisions — making this data essential for B2B market access.
Combined Bactericidal & Fungicidal Claims
BS EN 13697 can evaluate both bactericidal and fungicidal surface activity in a single study — supporting “kills bacteria and fungi” claims from one test programme.
Products That Can Be Tested
- Hard surface disinfectant sprays and wipes
- Floor and surface cleaners with bactericidal claims
- Kitchen and bathroom disinfectants
- Food contact surface sanitisers
- Healthcare and hospital-grade surface disinfectants
- Industrial and manufacturing surface disinfectants
- Multi-surface disinfectant products
- Ready-to-use and concentrated surface disinfectant formulations
Third-Party Validation
On passing BS EN 13697:2015 testing, products can be labelled as independently tested by Airmid Healthgroup to BS EN 13697:2015 standards — supporting bactericidal and/or fungicidal surface disinfection claims in marketing materials, regulatory dossiers, and professional procurement specifications.
Request a Quote for BS EN 13697:2015 Testing
Contact Airmid Healthgroup to discuss your surface disinfectant testing requirements and receive a tailored quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BS EN 13697 and BS EN 1276?
BS EN 1276 is a suspension test — it measures bactericidal activity when the product is mixed with bacteria in a liquid suspension. BS EN 13697 is a surface test — it measures efficacy when the product is applied to bacteria or fungi dried onto a non-porous hard surface. BS EN 13697 is therefore more representative of real-world surface disinfection and is the standard specifically required for products making surface disinfectant claims.
What types of surfaces are used as test carriers?
BS EN 13697 uses standardised non-porous surface carriers — typically glass or stainless steel discs — to represent the range of hard, non-porous surfaces that disinfectant products are designed to treat, such as worktops, floors, tiles, and equipment surfaces.
Can both bactericidal and fungicidal activity be tested in the same study?
Yes. BS EN 13697 covers both bactericidal and fungicidal surface activity. Airmid can conduct both within a single testing programme — generating data to support combined “kills bacteria and fungi on surfaces” claims efficiently and cost-effectively.
What log reduction is required to pass BS EN 13697:2015?
For bactericidal claims, a ≥4 log₁₀ reduction (99.99% kill) against all specified bacterial test organisms is required. For fungicidal claims, a ≥3 log₁₀ reduction (99.9% kill) against Candida albicans is required.
What will I receive after BS EN 13697:2015 testing?
You will receive a full GLP-compliant test report detailing the methodology, surface test conditions, log₁₀ reduction calculations for all test organisms, pass/fail conclusions, and all raw data — suitable for BPR dossiers, regulatory submissions, and marketing claims.
Related Tests and Services
- BS EN 1276:2019 — Bactericidal Activity (Suspension Test)
- BS EN 1040:2005 — Basic Bactericidal Activity
- BS EN 1275 — Fungicidal / Yeasticidal Activity
- BS EN 13704 — Sporicidal Activity
- BS EN 13610 — Virucidal Activity
- BS EN 13727 — Bactericidal Activity in the Medical Area
- Microbiology Laboratory Services
- Claims Verification Services
- Customised Testing Projects
