HEALTHCARE HYGIENE
Are your wipes effective against C.difficile?
Megan Barrett, Operations Manager at MSL, explains why EN 17486 is a standard no brand supplying into healthcare can afford to ignore.
Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) continue to challenge healthcare systems, with Clostridioides difficile (C.difficile) remaining one of the most persistent and disruptive. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) surveillance confirms a sustained multi-year rise in C.difficile infections. After significant increases between 2020/21 and 2023/24, the 2024/25 figures climbed again, and early 2025/26 data shows no sign of plateauing.
This upward trend is reshaping expectations around environmental hygiene and the level of evidence required to support product claims. As infection risks evolve, so too must the standards which guide how cleaning and disinfectant products are tested, validated and selected for use in healthcare settings.
C.difficile spores are exceptionally resilient. They survive for extended periods on surfaces and withstand many traditional disinfectants. Disinfectant wipes are one of the most widely used tools for frontline decontamination, yet many products are still tested under laboratory conditions that do not reflect how wipes are actually used in practice. This creates a gap between what a product claims and how it performs in real clinical environments.
Healthcare wipe testing gets real
That’s where EN 17486 comes in. Introduced in 2024, it’s a relatively new standard which bridges this gap. It sets out a robust method for demonstrating sporicidal efficacy, including against C.difficile, under conditions designed to reflect real world wipe use. By assessing products in a way which mirrors practical application, the standard provides a level of assurance that traditional sporicidal tests often fail to capture.
As EN 17486 becomes more widely recognised, NHS trusts and other healthcare providers are placing greater emphasis on proven activity against C.difficile. Many existing test approaches focus on the disinfectant liquid rather than the wipe as a complete product, which means they do not fully reflect how wipes behave in practice, creating a compliance gap. This shift in expectations is increasingly clear, with EN 17486 appearing more frequently in tenders and procurement specifications.
Manufacturers now need to demonstrate that their products deliver sporicidal performance when used exactly as they would be on the frontline, and that their testing aligns with the standards now shaping healthcare procurement. The EN 17486 method provides that assurance.
To meet these expectations, manufacturers need confidence that their testing is robust, relevant and aligned
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with EN 17486. Working with a trusted testing partner who understands the method in depth is essential. They will guide brands through the process and help interpret results in a way that supports clear and credible claims. At MSL, we see how the right testing approach strengthens product assurance and claims, closes compliance gaps, and gives manufacturers the evidence they need when supplying into healthcare.
The continued rise in C.difficile infections is a reminder that infection prevention challenges are evolving. EN 17486 gives manufacturers a clear and clinically relevant way to demonstrate real world sporicidal performance, closing the gap between claim and practice, and meeting procurement demands. Adopting this method is not only a matter of compliance, but a commitment to protecting healthcare teams and patients.
MSL is a leading UK regulatory and laboratory testing house. As well as EN 17486, its expertise includes: product claim support for the BPR (Biocidal Product Regulation), disinfectant and hand sanitiser testing, claims substantiation, safety data sheets, user trials, hygiene auditing, cleanroom validation (UV and airborne disinfection), and tailored solutions for specific testing needs. Its EU & UK Regulatory services are ISO9001 accredited, and it holds UKAS Accreditation No 4045.
www.msl.io
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