Introduction to the Type of Microorganisms in the Microorganism Killing Tests in China

In accordance with the requirements of Measures for the Administration of Disinfection as well as the Regulation on the Health and Safety Evaluation Report of Disinfection Products (2014), the disinfection products produced shall be inspected, and complete the health and safety evaluation by enterprises themselves or by a entrusted third party before the initial launch. Disinfection products that the health and safety evaluation is qualified can be put on market. Meanwhile, in accordance with the requirements of Technical Standard for Disinfection (2002), all the disinfectants must complete the microorganism killing tests. CIRS will briefly introduce the type of microorganisms in the microorganism killing tests.

As different disinfectants have different disinfection objects (skin, mucous membrane, tableware, medical devices, etc.), they may kill different types of microorganisms. But generally speaking, all the representative microorganisms in China are as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), as a representative of streptococcus pyogenes in vegetative bacteria; Escherichia coli (8099), as a representative of intestinal bacteria in vegetative bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), as a representative of the most commonly isolated vegetative bacteria in nosocomial infections; Staphylococcus albus (8032), as a representative of bacteria in air; Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404), as representatives of pathogenic fungi; Poliovirus-Ⅰ, as a representative of virus; Mycobacterium chelonae subsp. Abscessus (ATCC 93326), as a representative of mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis ; and Bacillus subtilis var.niger (ATCC 9372), as a representative of bacterial spore.

If the products have the killing effect to the corresponding microorganisms mentioned above, enterprises may mark ‘the product can kill this specific microorganisms’ or ‘the product can kill this specific microorganisms it represents’ in the label. For example: If the killing rate of staphylococcus aureus is over 99.999%, then enterprises may mark ‘ the product can kill staphylococcus aureus’ or ‘the product can kill streptococcus pyogenes’ in the label; If the killing rate of candida albicans is over 99.99%, then enterprises may mark ‘the product can kill candida albicans’ or ‘the product can kill pathogenic yeasts’ in the label. It is worth mentioning that if enterprise completes the mandatory microorganism killing tests according to the use scope of a disinfectant product, and then thinking it is necessary to indicate that the product can kill an extra specific microorganism, the enterprises have to complete the microorganism killing test for this specific microorganism. For example, if enterprises need to mark that the products can kill salmonella enterica in the label, then the enterprises have to complete the salmonella enterica killing test as well.

If you would like to know more about the disinfectants notification, please feel free to contact us at service@cirs-group.com.