EN 1500 Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics - Hygienic Hand Scrub - Test Method and Requirements

A European standard, EN 1500, provides a test method for hygienic handrub that simulates practical conditions to determine whether a product reduces the release of transient microbial flora from hands when artificially contaminated with volunteers' hands. This standard has been published in our country by the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) with the following title: EN 1500 Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Hygienic hand rub - Test methods and properties (stage 2, step 2).

Tests performed on volunteers are subject to legal regulations. This European standard applies to hygienic handrub products for use in areas and situations where disinfection is medically indicated. Such indications arise in patient care. For example, in hospitals, health institutions, dental treatment centers, school clinics, kindergartens, nursing homes, workplaces and homes.

Meanwhile, the EN 14885 standard explains the relationship between the various tests and offers detailed recommendations (TS EN 14885 Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Application of European standards for chemical disinfectants and antiseptics).

In short, the EN 1500 standard is a test method that evaluates the effectiveness of a hygienic hand scrub by measuring the number of viable bacteria left on the fingertips after contamination and exposure to the hand rub. Hand rub is defined as a treatment that involves rubbing the hands without adding water. This method simulates the conditions for determining whether a hygienic handrub reduces the temporary release of flora from the hands.

During the test, a sample of hygienic handrub is randomly used in subjects with healthy hands. After the first cleaning wash with mild soap to remove natural transient microorganisms, the subject's hands are thoroughly dried with a paper towel. In these tests, a non-pathogenic escherichia coli strain culture is generally used as a vaccine. Subjects spread their fingers apart, soak their hands in the strain for five seconds, and then allow them to air dry for three minutes. Then, the sample is taken over the fingers.

With the experience gained over many years, our organization also provides EN 1500 Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics, hygienic hand rub test services to the demanding enterprises within the framework of laboratory services of the materials with a trained and expert staff.