ASTM E3543-26

1.1 This practice covers bactericidal claims for non-food-contact antimicrobial surfaces.

1.2 This practice is applicable to a wide range of surfaces, including nonporous, semi-porous, and hydrophobic surfaces.

1.3 This practice is also applicable for determining the efficacy of additives containing active ingredients that are incorporated into otherwise non-antimicrobial surface materials, such as paints and coatings, by comparing a surface containing the antimicrobial agent with a surface lacking the antimicrobial additive.

1.4 This practice is intended for antimicrobial surfaces for indoor use only.

1.5 This practice simulates the deposition of wet microbe-containing droplets on a dry surface.

1.6 This practice applies to efficacy testing of antimicrobial claims but may be expanded to include viruses and fungi with appropriate modifications of preparation of inoculum and surface treatment.

1.7 This practice provides a dynamic range of greater than 5 log₁₀ CFU/carrier, depending on the inoculum level and control condition, thereby enabling measurement of a =3 log₁₀ reduction (LR) in culturable bacteria between test carriers and control carriers within a 2 h contact time.

1.8 Initial efficacy testing involves the evaluation of three lots against Staphylococcus aureus (1) (ATCC 6538) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2) (ATCC 15442). The number of lots may be adjusted according to regional regulatory requirements.

1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.11 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

5.1 This practice is used to evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial products for indoor surfaces, including products that gain antimicrobial properties by adding active ingredients, such as in paints and coatings. It bridges the gap between traditional wet tests for sanitizers and disinfectants, and the microdroplet dry test for nonporous hard surfaces as described in ISO 7581 and Refs (3-5). If the coating is a paint, the test is compatible with different sheens and colors. This practice may also be used with organisms not specified herein, with appropriate modifications determined by the user.