In healthcare, effective infection prevention depends on more than just claims on a label. Understanding kill claims, contact times, and recognised standards is essential to ensure products perform reliably in real clinical environments. At Uniwipe, our antibacterial wipes are developed to meet NHS standards, combining proven efficacy, regulatory compliance, and UK manufacturing to support safe and effective infection control.
What Kill Claims and Contact Times Mean
Kill claims describe how effectively a product reduces microorganisms, measured using log reductions. A 5-log reduction means 99.999% of bacteria are eliminated, while a 4-log reduction represents 99.99% efficacy against viruses and yeast. These benchmarks are defined within EN standards and underpin infection prevention protocols across healthcare.
Contact time is equally important. It defines how long a surface must remain wet to achieve the stated efficacy. For wipes, the most relevant test is EN 16615, a Phase 2 Step 2 wipe test that reflects real-world use. This standard validates bactericidal claims at a minimum of 60 seconds, ensuring results are both reliable and clinically relevant.
EN Standards and Real-World Testing
EN 14885 sets the framework for disinfectant efficacy in medical environments, outlining which tests support specific claims. While suspension tests such as EN 1276 and EN 13727 demonstrate inherent antimicrobial activity, real-world performance relies on surface testing.
EN 16615 is the NHS minimum requirement for bactericidal claims in wipes, while EN 14476 is used to validate virucidal efficacy. At Uniwipe, all testing is conducted by independently accredited ISO 17025 laboratories and carried out in dirty conditions to replicate non-precleaned surfaces.
Our wipes achieve a 5-log reduction against bacteria and a 4-log reduction against viruses and yeast, including efficacy against enveloped viruses such as Coronavirus and Influenza.
Compliance and NHS Alignment
Uniwipe antibacterial wipes are regulated under the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002, ensuring they meet strict requirements for safety, performance, and clinical use. Manufactured under an ISO 13485 quality management system, every batch is validated for consistency and reliability.
This level of compliance aligns with NHS expectations, where medical device classified wipes are standard for infection prevention.
Designed for Healthcare and Sustainable Supply
Our wipes are made in the UK, supporting resilient supply chains and reliable lead times. They are alcohol free, PHMB-free, non-sticky, and dermatologically tested for safe use in clinical environments.
Sustainability is also embedded in our design, using product lightweighting, recyclable, and recycled materials to support NHS environmental goals.
Available through NHS Supply Chain under NPC codes VEP85108, VEP85023 and VEP85026, Uniwipe delivers trusted antimicrobial wipes that combine efficacy, compliance, and sustainability.
