Antiviral Efficacy Testing

Introduction 

Virucidal activity testing is a fundamental part of product evaluation used to determine whether a chemical formulation or treated material can effectively inactivate viruses under controlled laboratory conditions. These tests are essential for supporting antiviral claims, regulatory compliance, and product performance validation across healthcare, veterinary, and textile industries. 

Antiviral evaluation is not limited to disinfectants alone. It also extends to textile products such as fabrics, nonwovens, masks, and protective clothing, where virus–material interactions play a key role in performance. Standardized methods ensure reliable, reproducible, and comparable data across laboratories and industries. 

At METS Lab, we perform virucidal and antiviral testing using internationally recognized standards to support product development and regulatory submissions. 

What is Virucidal Activity Testing? 

Virucidal activity testing evaluates the ability of a product to: 

• Inactivate viruses under defined laboratory conditions 
• Achieve measurable reduction in viral infectivity (log10 reduction) 
• Demonstrate efficacy within specified contact times 
• Provide standardized and reproducible performance data 
• Support regulatory claims for antiviral and disinfectant products 

These evaluations ensure that antiviral products and materials perform effectively before realworld application. 

EN 14476: Virucidal Activity in the Medical Area

EN 14476 is the key European standard for evaluating virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in healthcare environments. 

Purpose and Scope 

EN 14476 determines whether disinfectants can inactivate viruses in suspension under standardized conditions representative of medical settings such as hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. 

Test Principle 

Viruses are directly mixed with the disinfectant solution in a liquid suspension. After a defined contact time, the disinfectant is neutralized, and the remaining infectious virus is quantified using cell culture methods. 

Key Technical Features 

• Phase 2 / Step 1 quantitative suspension test 
• Standardized viral load and test conditions 
• Evaluation under clean and dirty conditions 
• Controlled temperature and exposure time 
• Log10 reduction measurement of viral infectivity

Applications 

• Hospital disinfectants 
• Hand sanitizers and antiseptics 
• Healthcare surface disinfectant formulations 
• Infection control products 

EN 14476 is widely accepted as the reference standard for general virucidal claims in the medical sector. 

EN 14675: Virucidal Activity in Veterinary Applications 

EN 14675 is designed for evaluating disinfectants used in veterinary and agricultural environments. 

Purpose and Scope 

This standard ensures that disinfectants used in animal-related environments—such as farms, veterinary clinics, and livestock facilities—are effective in controlling viral contamination. 

Test Principle 

EN 14675 uses a quantitative suspension method where viruses are exposed to disinfectants under controlled laboratory conditions. The reduction in infectious viruses is measured after a defined exposure period. 

Key Technical Features 

• Phase 2 / Step 1 suspension-based test method 
• Inclusion of organic load to simulate farm conditions 
• Defined contact time and temperature conditions 
• Quantitative measurement of viral infectivity reduction 
• Designed for veterinary biosecurity applications

Applications 

• Livestock and poultry farm disinfectants 
• Veterinary clinic hygiene products 
• Animal transport sanitation systems 
• Agricultural biosecurity solutions 

EN 14675 ensures disinfectants are effective in preventing viral spread in animal health environments. 

ISO 18184: Antiviral Activity of Textile Products 

ISO 18184 is the primary international standard used to evaluate antiviral performance of textile materials. 

Purpose and Scope 

ISO 18184 specifies a quantitative laboratory method for determining antiviral activity in textile products, including: 

• Woven fabrics 
• Nonwoven materials 
• Coated or treated textiles 
• Medical textiles and PPE materials 
• Functional and protective clothing 

It evaluates how effectively a textile material reduces infectious viruses after direct contact. 

Test Principle 

A known viral suspension is applied to a textile specimen. After a defined contact time under controlled conditions, the virus is recovered and quantified using cell culture techniques. The reduction in viral infectivity is then calculated by comparing treated and untreated samples. Key Technical Features 

• Quantitative antiviral efficacy measurement 
• Defined virus–textile contact time 
• Controlled temperature and humidity conditions 
• Comparison with untreated control materials 
• Log10 reduction of infectious viral titer 

Applications 

• Antiviral face masks and respirators 
• Medical gowns and protective clothing 
• Hospital textiles (bed linens, curtains) 
• Functional antimicrobial fabrics 
• Air filtration materials 

ISO 18184 is the global benchmark for antiviral textile performance evaluation. 

Importance of Standardized Testing 

Standardized virucidal and antiviral testing ensures that products: 

• Deliver scientifically validated performance 
• Provide reproducible and comparable results 
• Support regulatory approval and global acceptance 
• Demonstrate effectiveness in real-world applications 
• Build trust in antiviral and disinfectant claims

These standards form the foundation of antiviral product development across healthcare, veterinary, and textile industries.