Antimicrobial Microbiology Testing Services

Navigate complex regulatory requirements with Element's comprehensive testing solutions. From early-stage development through final submission, our GLP-compliant microbiology testing services ensure your products meet global regulatory standards while providing the efficacy data you need for successful registration. One trusted partner for all your antimicrobial testing needs.

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What is antimicrobial microbiology testing at Element?

Antimicrobial microbiology testing evaluates the effectiveness of products designed to kill or inhibit microorganisms. At Element, we provide comprehensive GLP-compliant testing services for disinfectants, sanitizers, and antimicrobial products, helping you generate the data needed for regulatory submissions worldwide. Our testing supports claims for bacterial, fungicidal, tuberculocidal, and sporicidal efficacy.

Element life sciences testing expert in lab

What can Element offer you for antimicrobial microbiology testing services?

Products We Test

Partner with us to test your full range of antimicrobial products. From hard surface disinfectants to complex treated articles, we evaluate food contact and non-food contact sanitizers, residual antimicrobial products, and specialized devices. Our extensive organism library of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts ensures comprehensive testing against relevant organisms to support your specific claims.

Key Tests Offered

Access complete testing solutions from preliminary screening through final submission. We support both early-stage development and GLP testing requirements. We can also develop custom protocols tailored to your specific requirements.

Disinfectant & Sanitizer Testing

Disinfectants reduce, destroy, or inactivate bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses on hard and soft surfaces. Element provides comprehensive testing for bacterial, fungicidal, tuberculocidal, and sporicidal efficacy, as well as laundry, electrostatic sprayer, biofilm, and MIC/MBC testing. We also evaluate antimicrobial preservatives for effectiveness.

C. diff & C. auris Testing

EPA regulations require data on the effectiveness of disinfectants against Clostridium difficile and Candida auris. Element supports developers, manufacturers, and marketers in generating EPA-compliant efficacy data for these claims.

Sanitizer Testing

Sanitizers fall into food-contact and non-food-contact categories. Element ensures compliance with EPA guidelines for both, helping registrants validate their claims.

Residual Efficacy Testing

Residual antimicrobial products provide extended protection between cleaning cycles. Element tests these products to meet EPA criteria, supporting their registration and claims.

Treated Article Testing

Products like textiles, paints, and gloves treated with antimicrobials must meet regulatory criteria. Element helps manufacturers ensure compliance with established methodologies.

Microbiology EN Testing

For biocidal products regulated by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Element conducts microbiology EN testing per Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) standards.

Antimicrobial Device Testing

Devices such as UV sterilizers, steam, ozone, and ionizing devices require complex regulatory compliance. Element’s experts guide clients through FDA and EPA regulations, ensuring data meets efficacy requirements.

Methods and Solutions Offered

Benefit from our extensive testing methodology expertise spanning multiple regulatory frameworks. We offer established methods like AOAC, ASTM, and EN testing protocols, plus custom protocol development for unique products. Element’s staff has years of experience with testing methods and regulatory agencies to deliver high quality results and superior customer service. Our solutions cover everything from basic efficacy testing to complex residual claims validation.

Element’s knowledgeable microbiologists can test to multiple established methods, as well as develop custom protocols. If the method you are interested in is not listed, get in touch with us today to speak with an expert.

High-Level Disinfectants/Liquid Chemical Sterilants
Sporicides
AOAC Method 966.04 Sporicidal Activity of Disinfectants
Biofilm Testing
Single Tube Method for Determining the Efficacy of Disinfectants against Bacterial Biofilm (Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Staphylococcus Aureus)
Disinfectants
Bactericidal and Fungicidal
AOAC Method 961.02 Germicidal Spray Method
ASTM E2362/AOAC Method 961.02 (Modification) Presaturated Towelettes for Hard Surface Disinfection Test Method
AOAC Use Dilution Test for Liquid Disinfectants (Methods 964.02, 955.14 and 955.15)
Electrostatic Sprayer Testing
Tuberculocidal
AOAC Method 965.12 Tuberculocidal Activity of Disinfectants
Clostridium difficile and Candida auris Testing
OECD Quantitative Method for Testing Antimicrobial Products against Spores of Clostridium difficile (ATCC 43598) on Inanimate, Hard, Non-Porous Surfaces
OECD Quantitative Method for Evaluating Efficacy of Liquid Antimicrobials against Candida auris on Hard, Non-Porous Surfaces
Sanitizers
Food Contact
AOAC Method 955.16 Available Chlorine in Disinfectants
AOAC Method 960.09 Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants
Non-Food Contact
ASTM E1153 Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Sanitizers Recommended for Inanimate Non-Food Contact Surfaces
Residual Sanitizers and Disinfects
EPA Residual Self-Sanitizing Activity of Dried Chemical Residues on Hard, Non-Porous Surfaces

Which Labs Offer This Service

Element Eagan is the premier contract antimicrobial testing laboratory and expert partner to the developers, manufacturers and users of antimicrobial pesticide and biocide products. We have more than 30 years of experience generating GLP-compliant data.

Standards we test to and products we test

These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!

AOAC Methods (966.04, 961.02, 964.02, 955.14, 955.15, 965.12, 955.16, 960.09)

ASTM Methods (E2362, E1153)

European Standards (EN) for ECHA compliance

EPA test guidelines and SOPs

OECD test methods

Your Challenges, Our Solutions

Complex Regulatory Requirements

Navigate multiple regulatory bodies confidently with our extensive experience in EPA, FDA, Health Canada, TGA, and ECHA submissions. Our experts guide you through requirements and ensure compliant testing.

Testing Development Uncertainty

Eliminate guesswork with our partnership approach to testing plans. We help determine exactly which tests you need for your claims, from screening through final submission, offering a wide array of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts to support your specific claims.

Time-Critical Market Access

Accelerate your path to market with our comprehensive testing capabilities. Relying on Element as your one trusted partner for all testing needs means faster completion of required validations.

Technical Validation Complexity

Get access to our specialized expertise to validate complex claims. Our testing capabilities cover everything from standard efficacy to specialized requirements like electrostatic spray and biofilm testing.

Why Choose Element

Element scientist in white lab coat working in life sciences testing laboratory

Customized Testing Solutions

Get exactly the testing you need with our flexible approach. Our consultative experts help design testing plans that align with your specific requirements.

Complete Testing Partnership

Full-service support from development through submission, with both GLP and non-GLP capabilities.

Global Regulatory Expertise

Extensive experience with worldwide regulatory bodies ensures compliant submissions.

Technical Leadership

Tests for emerging challenges like C. difficile and C. auris, as well as an extensive library of other organisms.

Frequently asked questions

What types of antimicrobial claims can Element help validate?

We support bacterial, fungicidal, tuberculocidal, sporicidal claims, plus specialized validations like residual efficacy, biofilm effectiveness, and specific pathogen claims including C. difficile and C. auris.

Can Element test products that use new application technologies?

Yes, we offer testing for innovative application methods including electrostatic sprayers, UV devices, sterilizing equipment, steam systems, ozone generators, and ionizing devices. We stay current with the latest EPA testing guidance for these technologies.

What kind of treated article testing do you provide?

We test a wide range of treated articles including textiles, paints, and rubber gloves to establish antimicrobial protection claims for the article itself, following established methodologies.

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