{"id":9414,"date":"2025-07-25T16:53:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T06:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/latest-news\/\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T11:18:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T00:18:10","slug":"understand-sporicidal-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/latest-news\/understand-sporicidal-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Sporicidal Claims: What You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"992\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/07\/Understanding-Sporicidal-Claims-What-You-Should-Know-Image-1-992x305.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10861\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1000px;height:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/07\/Understanding-Sporicidal-Claims-What-You-Should-Know-Image-1-992x305.png 992w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/07\/Understanding-Sporicidal-Claims-What-You-Should-Know-Image-1-768x236.png 768w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/07\/Understanding-Sporicidal-Claims-What-You-Should-Know-Image-1-320x98.png 320w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/07\/Understanding-Sporicidal-Claims-What-You-Should-Know-Image-1-576x177.png 576w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/07\/Understanding-Sporicidal-Claims-What-You-Should-Know-Image-1-1200x369.png 1200w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/07\/Understanding-Sporicidal-Claims-What-You-Should-Know-Image-1.png 1221w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-h-5-font-size\">In healthcare, the ability of a disinfectant to eliminate spores, especially&nbsp;<em>Clostridioides difficile<\/em>, is critical. Bacterial endospores are among the most resilient forms of microbial life, and their persistence in the hospital environment presents a serious infection risk<sup>1,2<\/sup>. One way to reduce this risk is by implementing an effective decontamination procedure utilising a sporicidal disinfectant<sup>3<\/sup>. But how do you know if a disinfectant is truly sporicidal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-are-sporicidal-claims-governed-in-europe\">How are sporicidal claims governed in Europe?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>EN 14885<\/strong> provides a framework, outlining the mandatory test standards required to support specific antimicrobial claims, including sporicidal claims. According to the EN 14885, for a product to be classed as sporicidal, the following test must be demonstrated<sup>4<\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>EN 17126<\/strong>: The quantitative suspension test that proves the disinfectant contains sporicidal properties. This test is the foundation of any sporicidal claim.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As of May 2025 a new practical test became mandatory for a wiping product, and this includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>EN 17846<\/strong>: The quantitative surface test using wipes, demonstrates that the disinfectant, when applied under more practical conditions, via a wipe, retains sporicidal performance on a surface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Both EN 17126 and EN 17846 tests are required<\/strong> to credibly and compliantly support a wiping product that claims sporicidal activity<sup>4,5<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-not-all-chemistries-can-be-sporicidal\">Not all chemistries can be sporicidal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is accepted and evidenced in healthcare that oxidising substances are capable of being sporicidal, however this is not the case for other types of disinfectants<sup>6<\/sup>. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are widely used in healthcare for their bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal properties, particularly against enveloped viruses. However, they are <strong>not capable of inactivating spores<\/strong><sup>7<\/sup>.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201c<em>They are not sporicidal and generally not tuberculocidal or virucidal against hydrophilic (nonenveloped) viruses.<\/em><sup>8<\/sup>\u201d \u2014Chemical Disinfectants | Infection Control | CDC<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason lies in their mode of action: QACs disrupt microbial membranes. However, spores lack active membranes and are encased in a highly resistant spore coat, making them inherently impervious to QACs\u2019 primary mode ofaction<sup>9<\/sup>. While some studies suggest <strong>sporostatic <\/strong>effects (inhibiting germination), this is not the same as <strong>sporicidal <\/strong>activity &#8211; the ability to eliminate the spore itself<sup>7<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-does-this-mean-for-you\">What does this mean for you?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Claims of sporicidal efficacy based solely on EN 17846, without evidence from EN17126, <strong>are incomplete and potentially misleading<\/strong>. A surface test alone is not sufficient to indicate true sporicidal activity<sup>4<\/sup>, and variable conditions can affect the products effectiveness<sup>10<\/sup>.This is about more than just passing a test, it\u2019s about ensuring patient safety through the correct application of science and regulation. Disinfectant performance must be grounded in evidence, not marketing spin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sporicidal claims must be verified with both <strong>EN 17126<\/strong> and <strong>EN 17846<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>QACs are not sporicidal<\/strong>, per CDC and peer-reviewed literature.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be wary of <strong>partial test claims<\/strong> presented as comprehensive proof.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like to know more about how Tristel test our disinfectants, please contact one of our sales representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because in infection prevention, <strong>clarity matters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-our-sporicidal-disinfection-solutions-for-surfaces-in-healthcare\">Our sporicidal disinfection solutions for surfaces in healthcare:<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"tristel-products gutenberg wp-block-create-block-tristel-products\"><div class=\"tristel-products__grid\"><a class=\"product-card\" href=\"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/product\/tristel-jet\/\">\n\t<div class=\"product-card__image-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Jet-Foam-AUS-NZ_-WEB-576x576.jpg\" class=\"product-card__image\" alt=\"Disinfectant spray Tristel Jet FOAM creates sporicidal foam for surfaces and equipment\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Jet-Foam-AUS-NZ_-WEB-576x576.jpg 576w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Jet-Foam-AUS-NZ_-WEB-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Jet-Foam-AUS-NZ_-WEB-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Jet-Foam-AUS-NZ_-WEB.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<article class=\"product-card__article\">\n\t\t<h6 class=\"product-card__headline\">Tristel Jet FOAM<\/h6>\n\t\t<span class=\"product-card__hover-effect hover-effect\"\n\t\t\t  style=\"background-color:#20b062\"><\/span>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"product-card\" href=\"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/product\/tristel-fuse-for-surfaces\/\">\n\t<div class=\"product-card__image-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Tristel-Fuse-for-Surfaces-Box-and-Sachet-1600x1180-1-576x425.jpg\" class=\"product-card__image\" alt=\"Surface disinfection solution combines the powerful biocidal efficacy of chlorine dioxide with cleaning action.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Tristel-Fuse-for-Surfaces-Box-and-Sachet-1600x1180-1-576x425.jpg 576w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Tristel-Fuse-for-Surfaces-Box-and-Sachet-1600x1180-1-768x566.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Tristel-Fuse-for-Surfaces-Box-and-Sachet-1600x1180-1-992x732.jpg 992w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Tristel-Fuse-for-Surfaces-Box-and-Sachet-1600x1180-1-320x236.jpg 320w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Tristel-Fuse-for-Surfaces-Box-and-Sachet-1600x1180-1-1200x885.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Tristel-Fuse-for-Surfaces-Box-and-Sachet-1600x1180-1-1400x1033.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/Tristel-Fuse-for-Surfaces-Box-and-Sachet-1600x1180-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<article class=\"product-card__article\">\n\t\t<h6 class=\"product-card__headline\">Tristel Fuse for Surfaces<\/h6>\n\t\t<span class=\"product-card__hover-effect hover-effect\"\n\t\t\t  style=\"background-color:#0d5d3e\"><\/span>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-references\"><strong>References:<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>1 <\/strong>Kramer, A., Lexow, F., Bludau, A., K\u00f6ster, A.M., Misailovski, M., Seifert, U.,Eggers, M., Rutala, W., Dancer, S.J. and Scheithauer, S. (2024). How long do bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses retain their replication capacity on inanimate surfaces? A systematic review examining environmental resilience versus healthcare-associated infection risk by \u2018fomite-borne risk assessment\u2019. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1128\/cmr.00186-23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>2<\/strong> Assadian, O., Harbarth, S., Vos, M., Knobloch, J.K., Asensio, A. and Widmer, A.F. (2021). Practical recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in healthcare institutions: a narrative review. Journal of Hospital Infection, [online] 113. doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jhin.2021.03.010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>3 <\/strong>Soroush Borji, Mosayeb Rostamian, Sepide Kadivarian, Kooti, S., ShirinDashtbin, Somayeh Hosseinabadi, Ramin Abiri and Amirhooshang Alvandi (2022).Prevalence of Clostridioides difficile contamination in the healthcare environmentand instruments: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Germs, 12(3), pp.361\u2013371.doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18683\/germs.2022.1340.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>4 <\/strong>British Standards Institution (BSI). EN 14885: Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics &#8211; Application of European Standards for Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics. Brussels: European Committee for Standardisation (CEN); 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>5<\/strong> Bolten, A., Schmidt, V. and Steinhauer, K. (2022). Use of the European standardization framework established by CEN\/TC 216 for effective disinfection strategies in human medicine, veterinary medicine, food hygiene, industry, and domestic and institutional use &#8211; a review. DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), 17, pp.Doc14\u2013Doc14. doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3205\/dgkh000417.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>6<\/strong> Russell, A.D. (1990). Bacterial spores and chemical sporicidal agents. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 3(2), pp.99\u2013119.doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1128\/cmr.3.2.99.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>7<\/strong> Arnold, W.A., Blum, A., Branyan, J., Bruton, T.A., Carignan, C.C.,<br \/>Cortopassi, G., Datta, S., DeWitt, J., Doherty, A.-C., Halden, R.U., Harari, H.,Hartmann, E.M., Hrubec, T.C., Iyer, S., Kwiatkowski, C.F., LaPier, J., Li, D., Li, L.,Mu\u00f1iz Ortiz, J.G. and Salamova, A. (2023). Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Chemical Class of Emerging Concern. Environmental Science &amp; Technology,57(20). doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.est.2c08244.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>8<\/strong> Rutala, W.A. and Weber, D.J. (2008). Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, 2008. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology,18, pp.240\u2013264.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>9<\/strong> Sharma, G. (2024). Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants: Current Practices and Future Perspective in Infection Control: Review Article. Biomedical&amp; Pharmacology Journal, 17(2), pp.677\u2013685.doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.13005\/bpj\/2895.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>10<\/strong> Rabenau, H.F., Steinmann, J., Rapp, I., Schwebke, I. and Eggers, M.(2014). Evaluation of a Virucidal Quantitative Carrier Test for Surface Disinfectants. PLoS ONE, 9(1), p.e86128.doi:https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0086128.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; In healthcare, the ability of a disinfectant to eliminate spores, especially&nbsp;Clostridioides difficile, is critical. Bacterial endospores are among the most resilient forms of microbial life, and their persistence in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":9416,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[117,1],"tags":[],"media_type":[5],"portfolio":[],"discipline":[15,16,17,18,19],"class_list":["post-9414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-news","media_type-blog","discipline-airway-management","discipline-cardiology","discipline-ear-nose-throat","discipline-endoscopy","discipline-gastrointestinal-gi-physiology"],"acf":[],"featured_media_global":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9414"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9414\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9414"},{"taxonomy":"media_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media_type?post=9414"},{"taxonomy":"portfolio","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio?post=9414"},{"taxonomy":"discipline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/discipline?post=9414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}