ISO 13125:2013 Testing: Antifungal Activity of Semiconducting Photocatalytic Materials
ISO 13125:2013 specifies the test method for antifungal activity of materials that contain a photocatalyst or have photocatalytic films on their surface – determining the extent of efficacy of light-activated antifungal treatments. Airmid Healthgroup provides independent, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing to this standard for ceramics, textiles, and construction materials.
Products That Can Be Tested to ISO 13125:2013
ISO 13125:2013 is applicable to a wide variety of non-porous flat surfaces in coated, sheet, board, or plate form — including:
- Ceramic tiles and fine ceramic surfaces
- Textiles with photocatalytic antifungal treatments
- Construction and building materials
- Coated architectural and decorative panels
- Any non-porous surface containing a photocatalyst or carrying a photocatalytic film
How the ISO 13125:2013 Test Works
- Fungal Spore Inoculation: A specified concentration of fungal spores is introduced to both the antifungal-coated test surface and an untreated control material — ensuring a direct comparison under identical conditions.
- Light Exposure: Both test and control surfaces are exposed to a defined period of light irradiation under precisely controlled conditions — activating the photocatalytic antifungal mechanism in the treated surface.
- Fungal Spore Enumeration: After the light exposure period, viable fungal spores are recovered from both surfaces by extraction and counted on an appropriate agar medium — providing a direct measure of surviving organisms.
- Efficacy Calculation: The efficacy of the antifungal finish is quantified by comparing the viable spore counts on treated versus untreated surfaces, following the criteria for a valid test as outlined in the standard.
Standard Test Organisms
Aspergillus niger and Penicillium pinophilum — widely recognised as robust and relevant test fungi for photocatalytic antifungal assessment.
Adaptable Organisms
The test can be adapted to include other fungal or bacterial species if your product’s intended use or target claim requires it. Discuss bespoke species requirements with our team at the enquiry stage.
Third-Party Validation & Turnaround Time
On passing this test, the product can be labelled as tested by Airmid Healthgroup to ISO 13125:2013 — supporting any antifungal efficacy claim relating to the test and data received.
Turnaround Time
4 Weeks
From receipt of samples
Accreditation
ISO 17025
GLP-compliant, independently audited
Request a Quote for ISO 13125:2013 Testing
Contact Airmid Healthgroup to discuss your antifungal photocatalytic testing requirements and receive a tailored quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of surfaces and materials can be tested to ISO 13125:2013?
The standard applies to non-porous flat surfaces in coated, sheet, board, or plate form — including ceramics, textiles, and construction materials. The key requirement is that the surface contains a photocatalyst or carries a photocatalytic film. The test is specifically designed to evaluate light-activated antifungal treatments rather than conventional chemical antimicrobial finishes.
Which fungal species are used in the test and can these be changed?
The standard method uses Aspergillus niger and Penicillium pinophilum as the challenge organisms, as these are widely recognised as robust and relevant test fungi. However, the test can be adapted to include other fungal or bacterial species if your product’s intended use or target claim requires it. Please discuss any bespoke species requirements with our team at the enquiry stage.
Why does the test require light exposure and how is this controlled?
Photocatalytic materials only become active in the presence of light — typically UV or visible light depending on the catalyst used. The test exposes both the treated surface and an untreated control to a defined period of light irradiation, after which viable fungal spores are extracted and counted. Controlling the light conditions precisely is essential to ensure results are valid, reproducible, and comparable across laboratories.
How is the antifungal efficacy calculated and what constitutes a pass?
After the light exposure period, viable fungal spores are recovered from both the treated and untreated control surfaces by extraction and counted on an appropriate agar medium. Efficacy is calculated by comparing the two counts. The standard sets out specific criteria that must be satisfied for a test to be considered valid — your full GLP report will detail the results against those criteria.
What certification can I use on my product if it passes?
Products that successfully pass ISO 13125:2013 testing can be labelled as tested by Airmid Healthgroup to ISO 13125:2013, supporting any antifungal efficacy claim you make in relation to the test data. If you require testing against additional standards — such as ISO 27447:2019 for antibacterial activity or ISO 18071:2016 for antiviral activity — these can often be run concurrently to save time.
ISO Standards
- ISO 846:2019 — Plastics: Evaluation of the Action of Microorganisms
- ISO 21326:2019 — Textiles: Determination of the Efficiency of Products Against House Dust Mites
- ISO 13629-2:2014 — Textiles: Determination of Antifungal Activity of Textile Products
- ISO 18071:2016 — Fine Ceramics: Antiviral Activity of Semiconducting Photocatalytic Materials
- ISO 13125:2013 — Fine Ceramics: Antifungal Activity of Semiconducting Photocatalytic Materials
- ISO 18061:2014 — Fine Ceramics: Antiviral Activity of Semiconducting Photocatalytic Materials
- ISO 18184:2019 — Textiles: Antiviral Activity of Textile Products
- ISO 27447:2019 — Fine Ceramics: Antibacterial Activity of Semiconducting Photocatalytic Materials
ASTM Standards
- ASTM C1338-19 — Fungal Resistance of Insulation Materials and Facings
- ASTM G21 — Resistance of Synthetic Polymeric Materials to Fungi
- ASTM D6670 — Full-Scale Chamber Determination of VOC Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products
- ASTM E1053 — Virucidal Activity of Chemicals for Disinfection of Inanimate, Nonporous Surfaces
- ASTM D5116-17 — Small-Scale Environmental Chamber VOC Emissions
- ASTM F608-18 — Carpet Soil Removal Effectiveness of Vacuum Cleaners
- ASTM F2608-15 — Room Air Particulate Counts from Portable Air Cleaners
- ASTM F1977-04 — Initial Fractional Efficiency of a Vacuum Cleaner System
- ASTM F1471-09 — Air Cleaning Performance of a Vacuum Cleaner
BS EN Standards
- BS EN 14683 — Medical Face Masks: Requirements and Test Methods
- BS EN 1276 — Bactericidal Activity of Chemical Disinfectants
- BS EN 1275 — Basic Fungicidal or Yeasticidal Activity
- BS EN 1040 — Basic Bactericidal Activity
- BS EN 20743 — Antibacterial Activity of Textile Products
- BS EN 13727 — Bactericidal Activity in the Medical Area
- BS EN 13704 — Sporicidal Activity of Chemical Disinfectants
- BS EN 13697 — Non-Porous Surface Bactericidal/Fungicidal Activity
- BS EN 13610 — Virucidal Activity of Chemical Disinfectants
