ISO 18184:2019 Antiviral Textile Testing — Frequently Asked Questions

ISO 18184:2019 is the international standard that specifies the test method for evaluating the antiviral activity of textile products. It is increasingly relied upon by manufacturers across healthcare, fashion, hospitality, and consumer goods who need independently validated evidence to support antiviral claims on their fabrics, yarns, and finished textile products.

Below, the Airmid Healthgroup expert team answers the most frequently asked questions about ISO 18184:2019 — what it covers, how the test works, and what manufacturers need to know before commissioning testing.

ISO 18184:2019 is published by the International Organization for Standardization and specifies the method for determining the antiviral activity of textile products. It provides a standardised, reproducible procedure for measuring how effectively a textile material reduces the infectivity of viruses — giving manufacturers a credible, internationally recognised basis on which to make and substantiate antiviral claims.

ISO 18184:2019 applies to a wide range of textile-based products, including:

• Woven fabrics
• Knitted fabrics
• Fibres and yarns
• Braids
• Non-woven textiles

Applications span healthcare and medical textiles, fashion and apparel, hospitality linens, and everyday consumer fabrics — wherever antiviral performance is a relevant product attribute.

During ISO 18184:2019 testing, a specific quantity of virus is inoculated onto the textile sample. After a controlled contact period — typically 2 hours, extendable up to 24 hours depending on the product and claim — the remaining infectious virus is quantified using plaque assay or TCID₅₀ methods. Both are established, highly reliable techniques for measuring virus infectivity.

Antiviral efficacy is then calculated by comparing the viral load on the treated test specimen with that of an untreated reference specimen — producing a quantified reduction rate in viral activity. This figure is what manufacturers use to substantiate their antiviral claims.

The standard specifies two test viruses as default:

Custom testing solutions allow manufacturers to request specific viral strains, ensuring the product is evaluated against the viral threats most relevant to its intended market or application.

Independently validated ISO 18184:2019 test data allows manufacturers to make substantiated antiviral claims on product labelling and in marketing materials. Third-party validation from an accredited laboratory gives those claims the credibility required for consumer, retailer, and regulatory audiences.

In some cases — depending on the product type and jurisdiction — the data can also support regulatory submissions including US EPA and US FDA filings, and 510(k) applications for medical textile products.

Both standards test antiviral activity in textile products using similar inoculation and quantification methodology. ISO 18184:2019 is more widely recognised internationally and covers the broadest range of textile product types. ISO 13629-2 is particularly applicable where extended contact periods are a test requirement.

The right choice depends on the product type, target market, and the specific antiviral claims being made. Airmid Healthgroup can advise on which standard is most appropriate for your product and application.

Antiviral claims on consumer and healthcare products are subject to increasing regulatory and market scrutiny. Self-declared performance data is unlikely to withstand challenge from retailers, regulators, or trade bodies. Independent, third-party testing by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory — conducted under GLP conditions and documented to regulatory-submission standard — provides a level of credibility that in-house testing cannot.

For manufacturers targeting regulated markets such as healthcare, medical devices, or the US market (EPA/FDA oversight), accredited independent testing is not just commercially advantageous — it is often a compliance requirement.

Yes. Airmid Healthgroup’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited virology laboratory provides ISO 18184:2019 antiviral testing for the full range of textile product types, using both standard and custom viral species. Results are typically delivered within four weeks of sample receipt.

Upon passing, your product can be labelled as independently tested by Airmid Healthgroup to ISO 18184:2019 standards — adding verified credibility to your antiviral claims across consumer, retailer, and regulatory audiences.

“The quality of the third-party data we received from Airmid Healthgroup helped us showcase our innovative strategy at the European Innovation Convention. This validation added significant value to our product offerings by focusing on health and indoor air quality.”

— Mr. Robert Hickson, Managing Director, Vitra Ireland