BS EN 13697:2015 — Quantitative Non-Porous Surface Disinfectant Testing
Airmid Healthgroup conducts quantitative non-porous surface testing to BS EN 13697:2015 for manufacturers of chemical disinfectants and surface sanitisers used in food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas. Testing is performed in our ISO 17025-accredited microbiology laboratory under GLP-compliant conditions, with third-party validation documentation issued on passing the standard.
Scope
BS EN 13697:2015 is a quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Unlike suspension tests, it measures the reduction of test organisms that have been dried onto a non-porous surface — more closely replicating the conditions encountered during real-world surface disinfection.
Products that can be tested
Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted in hard water, intended for use on non-porous hard surfaces in:
- Food preparation and processing areas
- Industrial manufacturing and production environments
- Domestic and household settings
- Institutional environments including offices, schools, and transport
Excludes products intended for medical use on living tissues, and products used in areas and situations where disinfection is medically indicated.
Description of test
- → A known concentration of the test organism is inoculated onto a non-porous surface carrier (stainless steel disc) in the presence of an appropriate interfering substance and dried to form a surface contamination film.
- → The test product is applied to the contaminated surface at the proposed use concentration and maintained at 20 ± 1°C for the defined contact time (typically 5 or 10 minutes; other times may be used).
- → At the end of the contact time, the disinfectant activity is neutralised and surviving organisms are recovered from the surface using an appropriate extraction method.
- → The number of viable colony forming units (CFU) is determined and the log10 reduction calculated relative to a positive control run under identical conditions without the test product.
- → Results are reported as log10 reduction values against each test organism, with pass/fail determination against the standard threshold requirements.
Test organisms and pass criteria
Bactericidal claim
- → Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442
- → Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538
- → Enterococcus hirae ATCC 10541
- → Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 (optional)
- Pass: ≥4 log10 reduction (99.99%)
Fungicidal claim
- → Candida albicans ATCC 10231
- → Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404
- Pass: ≥3 log10 reduction (99.9%)
Test conditions
- → Temperature: 20 ± 1°C
- → Contact times: 5 or 10 min (others available)
- → Interfering substance: clean or dirty conditions
- → Surface: stainless steel non-porous carrier
Third party validation
On passing this test, your product can be labelled as tested by Airmid Healthgroup to BS EN 13697:2015 in support of any bactericidal or fungicidal surface claim relating to the test data received. Independent third-party validation by an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory provides the evidential foundation required for EU BPR dossiers, EPA submissions, retailer compliance, and consumer-facing efficacy claims.
Standard turnaround: 4 weeks from receipt of samples.
Client testimonial
“The quality of the third-party data we received from Airmid Healthgroup helped us showcase our innovative strategy of licensing this novel technology at a prestigious international scientific event, the European Innovation Convention. Ultimately this will allow us to add value and differentiate our customer offerings through a focus on health and indoor air quality.”
Robert Hickson
Managing Director, VitrA Ireland
Testing options sized for your needs
We scope every engagement to your product, claim type, and regulatory timeline. These tiers serve as a starting framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BS EN 13697:2015?
BS EN 13697:2015 is a European standard specifying a quantitative non-porous surface test for evaluating the bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas. It measures the log10 reduction of test organisms dried onto a stainless steel surface after contact with the test product under defined conditions — providing a more realistic assessment of on-surface disinfection performance than suspension tests.
How does BS EN 13697 differ from BS EN 1276?
BS EN 1276 is a suspension test — the disinfectant acts on organisms freely suspended in liquid. BS EN 13697 is a surface test — organisms are dried onto a non-porous carrier before the disinfectant is applied. Surface tests are generally more demanding and are required when the intended claim is specifically about disinfecting contaminated hard surfaces, which is the most common real-world application. Many regulatory submissions require both tests.
What log reduction is required to pass?
For a bactericidal claim, the product must achieve a minimum 4 log10 reduction (99.99%) against the mandatory test organisms. For a fungicidal claim, a minimum 3 log10 reduction (99.9%) is required. Results are calculated relative to a positive control run under identical conditions without the test product.
Does BS EN 13697 support EU BPR submissions?
Yes. BS EN 13697:2015 is a recognised efficacy test method under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) for Product Type 2 (disinfectants for private area and public health use) and Product Type 4 (food and feed area disinfectants). Data generated by an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory can be included directly in BPR dossiers and national authorisation submissions. Airmid Healthgroup can advise on the full test portfolio required for your specific BPR application.
Can clean and dirty conditions both be tested?
Yes. BS EN 13697:2015 specifies both clean condition testing (low interfering substance load) and dirty condition testing (high interfering substance load, simulating a more challenging contamination scenario). The appropriate condition — or both — is selected based on the intended use of the product and the claims being substantiated. We advise on interfering substance selection as part of every engagement.
Related tests
BS EN 1275:2005 — Fungicidal & Yeasticidal Activity
BS EN 13704:2018 — Sporicidal Activity
BS EN 13727:2003 — Bactericidal Activity (Medical)
BS EN 13610:2002 — Virucidal Claim Verification
BS EN 1040:2005 — Basic Bactericidal Activity
BS EN 1650:2008 — Fungicidal Activity
ASTM E2149-10 — Antimicrobial Activity of Immobilised Agents
ISO 22196 — Antibacterial Surface Testing
Toxicological Review
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