BS EN 12791:2016+A1:2017

What is BS EN 12791- Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics for surgical hand disinfection about?  

BS EN 12791 is an international standard that focuses on test methods and requirements of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics for surgical hand disinfection.  

BS EN 12791 specifies a test method simulating practical conditions for establishing whether a product for surgical hand rub and handwash reduces the release of residents and eventually presents transient microbial flora on hands when used for the treatment of clean hands of volunteers. 

Who is BS EN 12791-Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics for surgical hand disinfection for? 

BS EN 12791 test methods and requirements of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics for surgical hand disinfection are useful for: 

• Hospitals in community medical facilities and in dental institutions 
• Healthcare workers 
• Clinics of schools, of kindergartens and of nursing homes. 

Why should you use BS EN 12791- Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics for surgical hand disinfection?  

Test methods  specified in BS EN 12791 helps remove most of the transient flora and foreign material, which could otherwise influence the “prevalues”, i.e. the number of microorganisms on the hands before treatment. 

BS EN 12791 includes the instructions for proper use. BS EN 12791- provides guidance on statistical evaluation (significance testing), expression of results and precision in carrying out the prescribed test method. 

A product that has fulfilled the requirements and passed the test method specified in BS EN 12791 is deemed suitable to be used as surgical handrub or handwash. Thus, helps validating their suitability for surgical use.  

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 12791:2016+A1:2017 supersedes BS EN 12791:2016 which has been withdrawn. BS EN 12791:2016+A1:2017 has been editorially revised.