MICROBIOLOGY

The Biodegradation and Microbiological Testing Laboratory performs microbiological testing for companies operating in the textile, medical, polymer, paper, military, furniture and packaging industries. The laboratory has been certified by the Polish PCA Accreditation Center in the scope of AB 388 since 2002, and is the longest-established unit on the Polish market providing services in the field of microbiological testing of textiles, polymers, paper and cardboard. It is the only one in Poland that performs, within the scope of PCA accreditation, tests of microbiological activity and resistance to mold of textiles and microbiological purity of paper and cardboard. It is also a unique laboratory in the country, performing tests in the field of evaluation of textile medical products: surgical gowns, surgical drapes, disposable and reusable clothing for operating theater personnel – in the section on microbiological testing and dust resistance of these products.

Accredited tests

• PN-EN ISO 20743:2021-12 Textiles Determination of antimicrobial activity of finished products with antimicrobial finish – Absorption method
• PN-EN ISO 20645:2006 Determination of antibacterial activity. Diffusion method
• PN-EN 14119:2005 pt 10.5 (B2) Antifungal activity – Diffusion test on agar – Visual evaluation
• NO-06-A107:2021 p.4.14, p.5.17 Resistance to the effects of mold according to the defense standard for weapons and military equipment
• ISO 8784-1:2014 Pulp, paper and board – Microbiological examination. Total number of bacteria and spores – Plate method.
• ISO 8784-3:2022 Pulp, paper and board – Microbiological examination – Part 3: Total mold and yeast count – plate method

Non-accredited research

Medical devices. Tests for the evaluation of textile medical devices are carried out in accordance with the requirements of standards:

• EN 13795-1:2019-05 “Surgical clothing and drapes. Requirements and test methods. Part 1: Surgical drapes and gowns.”
• EN 13795-2:2019-05 “Surgical clothing and drapes. Requirements and test methods. Part 2: Clothing for operating theaters.”

For the following parameters:

• Resistance to microbial penetration – wet according to PN – EN ISO 22610:2007 “Surgical drapes, gowns and clothing for operating theatres, used as medical devices for patients, medical staff and equipment – Method for the determination of resistance to wet bacterial penetration”
• Resistance to microbial penetration – dry according to PN-EN ISO 22612:2006 “Clothing protecting against infectious agents, Test method for resistance to dry microbial penetration”
• Dusting according to PN – EN ISO 9073 – 10:2006 “Textiles – Test methods for nonwovens, – Part 10: Release of fiber dust and other particles on a dry basis”.
• Microbiological purity according to PN – EN ISO 11737-1:2018-03 “Sterilization of health care products, Microbiological methods, Part 1: Determination of microbial populations on products”

Other non-accredited research

Textiles:

• AATCC TM 100 Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials: Assessment of
• PN-EN 14683+AC:2019-09 Medical masks. Requirements and test methods. Annex D Microbiological purity – Filtration method.
• ASTM E2149 Standard Test Method for Determining the Antimicrobial Activity of Antimicrobial Agents Under Dynamic Contact Conditions
• AATCC TM 147 Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak Method.
• PN – EN 14119 Textile testing. Evaluation of microfungal activity. Method A1

Polymers:

• ISO 22196:2011 Measurement of antibacterial activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces
• ASTM E2180 Standard Test Method for Determining the Activity of Incorporated Antimicrobial Agent(s) In Polymeric or Hydrophobic Materials
• EN ISO 846:2019 Plastics. Evaluation of the action of microorganisms

Paper and cardboard:

• PN-EN 1104:2019 Paper and cardboard intended for contact with food. Determination of permeability of antimicrobial components.
• ISO 8784-1:2005 Pulp, paper and board – Microbiological examination
• T 487 pm-99 Fungus resistance of paper and paperboard
• ISO 8784-2:2023 Pulp, paper and board – Microbiological examination.
  Total bacterial and fungal counts-Surface method

If necessary, we expand the range of tests performed and accreditation. We adapt the tests to the needs of the client and the specifics of the tested material. The Laboratory of Biodegradation and Microbiological Research cooperates with laboratories of domestic and foreign institutions in organizing and participating in proficiency tests and/or PT/ILC interlaboratory comparisons. The laboratory has an extensive collection of strains from the renowned ATCC (American Type Culture Collection).