EN 13727:2012+A2:2015
(Main + Amendment)Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity in the medical area - Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1)
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with hard water, or - in the case of ready-to-use products - with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80 % or less (97 % with a modified method for special cases) as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and interfering substance.
This European Standard applies to products that are used in the medical area in the fields of hygienic handrub, hygienic handwash, surgical handrub, surgical handwash, instrument disinfection by immersion, and surface disinfection by wiping, spraying, flooding or other means.
This European Standard applies to areas and situations where disinfection or antisepsis is medically indicated. Such indications occur in patient care, for example:
- in hospitals, in community medical facilities and in dental institutions;
- in clinics of schools, of kindergartens and of nursing homes;
and may occur in the workplace and in the home. It may also include services such as laundries and kitchens supplying products directly for the patients.
NOTE 1 The method described is intended to determine the activity of commercial formulations or active substances under the conditions in which they are used.
NOTE 2 This method corresponds to a phase 2 step 1 test.
NOTE 3 This method cannot be used to evaluate the activity of products against Legionella in watersystems and against mycobacteria.
EN 14885 specifies in detail the relationship of the various tests to one another and to 'use recommendations'.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 27-Oct-2015
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 216 - Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 216/WG 1 - Human medicine
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 02-Sep-2023
- Completion Date
- 02-Sep-2023
- Directive
- Not Harmonized93/42/EEC - Medical devices
Overview
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 - published by CEN - defines a quantitative suspension test (phase 2, step 1) to evaluate the bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the medical area. The standard covers laboratory procedures, minimum performance requirements and test conditions for products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with hard water (or for ready‑to‑use products, with water). It is intended to determine practical activity under defined contact times, temperatures and interfering (soiling) conditions.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope & limitations: Applies to products for hygienic handrub/handwash, surgical handrub/handwash, instrument immersion disinfection and surface disinfection. Not suitable for testing activity against Legionella in water systems, mycobacteria or bacterial spores.
- Performance criteria: The product must demonstrate at least 5 log (lg) reduction in viable bacteria (minimum spectrum), except hygienic handwash where ≥3 lg reduction is acceptable.
- Concentration limits: Products are tested at concentrations up to 80% (with a modified method permitting up to 97% for special ready‑to‑use cases) because dilution occurs during test setup.
- Test organisms: Core test organisms include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae and Escherichia coli K12 for certain applications.
- Test principle: A defined bacterial suspension with an interfering substance is exposed to the product for a specified contact time and temperature. Surviving organisms are enumerated after immediate neutralization or suppression of the product’s activity.
- Neutralization methods: The standard prefers dilution‑neutralization; if a validated neutralizer cannot be used, membrane filtration is prescribed.
- Validation & reporting: Methods for verification, precision, control counts and required test report elements are specified to ensure reproducibility and traceability.
Practical applications
- Used by disinfectant and antiseptic manufacturers to substantiate product claims for medical and healthcare use.
- Employed by independent testing laboratories for conformity testing, and by regulatory bodies and procurement teams to assess product efficacy.
- Relevant to infection prevention professionals in hospitals, dental clinics, nursing homes, schools and other healthcare settings when selecting products for hand hygiene, instrument reprocessing and surface decontamination.
Related standards
- EN 14885 - describes the relationship between European test standards and clarifies “use recommendations” for disinfectants and antiseptics.
- EN 12353 - for preservation of test organisms used in efficacy testing.
Keywords: EN 13727:2012+A2:2015, chemical disinfectants, antiseptics, quantitative suspension test, bactericidal activity, medical area, phase 2 step 1, dilution-neutralization, membrane filtration, handrub, surface disinfection.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 18-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 22-Jul-2015
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity in the medical area - Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1)". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with hard water, or - in the case of ready-to-use products - with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80 % or less (97 % with a modified method for special cases) as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and interfering substance. This European Standard applies to products that are used in the medical area in the fields of hygienic handrub, hygienic handwash, surgical handrub, surgical handwash, instrument disinfection by immersion, and surface disinfection by wiping, spraying, flooding or other means. This European Standard applies to areas and situations where disinfection or antisepsis is medically indicated. Such indications occur in patient care, for example: - in hospitals, in community medical facilities and in dental institutions; - in clinics of schools, of kindergartens and of nursing homes; and may occur in the workplace and in the home. It may also include services such as laundries and kitchens supplying products directly for the patients. NOTE 1 The method described is intended to determine the activity of commercial formulations or active substances under the conditions in which they are used. NOTE 2 This method corresponds to a phase 2 step 1 test. NOTE 3 This method cannot be used to evaluate the activity of products against Legionella in watersystems and against mycobacteria. EN 14885 specifies in detail the relationship of the various tests to one another and to 'use recommendations'.
This European Standard specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with hard water, or - in the case of ready-to-use products - with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80 % or less (97 % with a modified method for special cases) as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and interfering substance. This European Standard applies to products that are used in the medical area in the fields of hygienic handrub, hygienic handwash, surgical handrub, surgical handwash, instrument disinfection by immersion, and surface disinfection by wiping, spraying, flooding or other means. This European Standard applies to areas and situations where disinfection or antisepsis is medically indicated. Such indications occur in patient care, for example: - in hospitals, in community medical facilities and in dental institutions; - in clinics of schools, of kindergartens and of nursing homes; and may occur in the workplace and in the home. It may also include services such as laundries and kitchens supplying products directly for the patients. NOTE 1 The method described is intended to determine the activity of commercial formulations or active substances under the conditions in which they are used. NOTE 2 This method corresponds to a phase 2 step 1 test. NOTE 3 This method cannot be used to evaluate the activity of products against Legionella in watersystems and against mycobacteria. EN 14885 specifies in detail the relationship of the various tests to one another and to 'use recommendations'.
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 11.080.20 - Disinfectants and antiseptics. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13727:2012+A1:2013/FprA2:2015, EN 13727:2012+A1:2013, EN 12353:2021, EN 14885:2022, EN ISO 15883-4:2018, EN 16616:2022+A1:2025, EN 14885:2018, EN 14885:2015, EN 12791:2016, EN 16615:2015, EN 16616:2022, EN 16616:2015, EN 12791:2016+A1:2017, EN 14885:2006, EN ISO 15883-7:2025. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 93/42/EEC; Standardization Mandates: M/023, M/BC/CEN/89/9. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Chemische Desinfektionsmittel und Antiseptika - Quantitativer Suspensionsversuch zur Bestimmung der bakteriziden Wirkung im humanmedizinischen Bereich - Prüfverfahren und Anforderungen (Phase 2, Stufe 1)Antiseptiques et désinfectants chimiques - Essai quantitatif de suspension pour l'évaluation de l'activité bactéricide en médecine - Méthode d'essai et prescriptions (Phase 2, Étape 1)Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity in the medical area - Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1)11.080.20Dezinfektanti in antiseptikiDisinfectants and antisepticsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13727:2012+A2:2015SIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016en,fr,de01-februar-2016SIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 13727:2012+A2
October
t r s w ICS
s sä r z rä t r Supersedes EN
s u y t yã t r s t ªA sã t r s uEnglish Version
Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics æ Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity in Antiseptiques et désinfectants chimiques æ Essai quantitatif de suspension pour l 5évaluation de l 5activité bactéricide en médecine æ Méthode d 5essai et
Chemische Desinfektionsmittel und Antiseptika æ Quantitativer Suspensionsversuch zur Bestimmung der bakteriziden Wirkung im humanmedizinischen Bereich This European Standard was approved by CEN on
s v October
t r s u and includes Amendment
t approved by CEN on
u August
t r s wä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels
t r s w CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s u y t yã t r s t ªA tã t r s w ESIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016
Referenced strains in national collections . 33 Annex B (informative)
Neutralizers and rinsing liquids . 34 SIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016
Graphical representation of test procedures . 36 Annex D (informative)
Example of a typical test report . 44 Annex E (informative)
Precision of the test result. 48 Annex ZA (informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements of EU Directive 93/42/EEC . 51 Bibliography . 52
P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. hirae, E. coli K12 P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. hirae, E. coli K12 P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. hirae, when temperature is
40 °C or higher: only
E. faecium P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. hirae
additional Any relevant test organism Test temperature according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, but between
20 °C and 20 °C 20 °C and 20 °C 20 °C and 70 °C 4°C and 30 °C Contact time according to the manufacturer’s recommendation
but between but no longer than
30 s and 60 s 1 min and 5 min 60 min 5 min or
60 min a Interfering substance
clean conditions
0,3 g/l bovine albumin solution (hygienic handrub) b 0,3 g/l bovine albumin solution (surgical handrub) b 0,3 g/l bovine albumin solution and/or 0,3 g/l bovine albumin solution and/or dirty conditions 3,0 g/l bovine albumin solution plus 3,0 ml/l erythrocytes (hygienic handwash) c 3,0 g/l bovine albumin solution plus 3,0 ml/l erythrocytes (surgical handwash) c 3,0 g/l bovine albumin solution plus 3,0 ml/l erythrocytes 3,0 g/l bovine albumin solution plus 3,0 ml/l erythrocytes additional clean or dirty;
any relevant substance clean or dirty; any relevant substance any relevant substance any relevant substance NOTE For the additional conditions, the concentration defined as a result can be lower than the one obtained under the minimum test conditions. a The contact times for surface disinfectants stated in this table are chosen on the basis of the practical conditions of the product. The recommended contact time for the use of the product is within the responsibility of the manufacturer. Products intended to disinfect surfaces that are likely to come into contact with the patient and / or the medical staff and surfaces, which are frequently touched by different people, leading to the transmission of microorganisms to the patient, shall be tested with a contact time of maximum 5 min. The same applies where the contact time of the product shall be limited for practical reasons. Products for other surfaces than stated above may be tested with a contact time of maximum 60 min. b hygienic and surgical handrub shall be tested as a minimum under clean conditions. c hygienic and surgical handwash shall be tested as a minimum under dirty conditions. SIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016
b) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ATCC 15442
c) Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC 6538
d) Enterococcus hirae, ATCC 10541
e) Enterococcus faecium, ATCC 6057
NOTE See Annex A for strain reference in some other culture collections. The required incubation temperature for these test organisms is 36 °C ± 1 °C or 37 °C ± 1 °C (5.3.2.3). The same temperature (either 36 °C or 37 °C) shall be used for all incubations performed during a test and its control and validation. If additional test organisms are used, they shall be incubated under optimum growth conditions (temperature, time, atmosphere, media) noted in the test report. If the additional test organisms selected do not correspond to the specified strains, their suitability for supplying the required inocula shall be verified. If these additional test organisms are not classified at a reference centre, their identification characteristics shall be stated. In addition, they shall be held by the testing laboratory or national culture collection under a reference for five years.
1) The NCTC and ATCC numbers are the collection numbers of strains supplied by these culture collections. This information is given for the convenience of users of this European Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by CEN of the product named. SIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016
2) Disposable sterile equipment is an acceptable alternative to reusable glassware. 3) Vortex® is an example of a suitable product available commercially. This information is given for the convenience of users of this European Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by CEN of this product. SIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016
4) cfu/ml = colony forming unit(s) per millilitre. SIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016
(in °C): The temperatures to be tested are specified in Clause 4, Table 1.
The allowed deviation for each chosen temperature is ± 1 °C . b) contact time t (in min): SIST EN 13727:2012+A2:2016
[5.5.1.1 a)] for 2 min ± 10 s. b) At the end of this time, add 8,0 ml of one of the product test solutions (5.4.2). Restart the stopwatch at the beginning of the addition. Mix [5.3.2.6 a)] and place the tube in a water bath controlled at
for the chosen contact time t [5.5.1.1 b)]. Just before the end of t, mix [5.3.2.6 a)] again. c) At the end of t, take a 1,0 ml sample of the test mixture Na and transfer into a tube containing 8,0 ml neutralizer (5.2.2.5) and 1,0 ml water (5.2.2.2). Mix [5.3.2.6 a)] and place in a water bath controlled at 20 °C ± 1 °C. After a neutralization time of 5 min ± 10 s (in case of contact times of 10 min or shorter only 10 s ± 1 s), mix [5.3.2.6 a)] and immediately take a sample of 1,0 ml of the neutralized test mixture Na (containing neutralizer, product test solution, interfering substance and test suspension) in duplicate and inoculate using the pour plat
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