The Standard

The hypochlorous acid (HOCl) category is crowded. Multiple players, multiple claims – often carefully worded and presented in ways that make comparison and verification difficult.

Supra Perfecta stands apart.

We’re the world’s only producer of stable, 95% pure HOCl at scalable and commercial volumes. One of the ways we prove our unimpeachable science is through trusted certifications, like our extensive EN test portfolio. But we wanted to go a step further and create our own benchmark of quality.

The Standard comprises 14 questions that hold us accountable to our commitment to protecting people and the planet, without compromise. The Standard not only shows what’s possible, but what should be expected from every HOCl supplier.

It’s time to ask the questions others hope you won’t.

1. What percentage purity HOCl is your solution or product?

Why it’s important: The benchmark of purity is that >95% of the free available chlorine present must specifically be as HOCl and that it should maintain this >95% in a pH range of 2.6 to 10.1. The accurate measurement of the HOCl content (234–294nm) should be undertaken using a UV spectrometer. Any product purporting to be HOCl or pure HOCl that does not meet these criteria falls short of being able to substantiate claims of being HOCl.

2. Is the solution made via an electrolytic or chemical synthesis process?

Why it’s important: Electro-chemically activated (ECA) manufactured HOCl often faces challenges such as instability, inconsistent concentration and improper pH balance, leading to unreliable claims and high corrosion profiles. Some products therefore contain stabilisers like sodium chloride, acetic acid, adipic acid, sulphamic acid along with chlorine itself.

Supra Perfecta has the world’s only proprietary chemical synthesis process capable of producing high-purity, stable HOCl (liquid and gel) in commercially viable volumes without the addition of any stabilisers.

3. Can the product prove ‘full virucidal activity’ under the EN 14476:2013+A2:2019 standards?

Why it’s important: Full spectrum virucidal efficacy is the highest tier of the three main levels of virucidal activity defined in European Standard EN 14476 for medical disinfectants. It means the product is effective against highly resistant non-enveloped viruses, including poliovirus, adenovirus, murine norovirus and enveloped vaccinia virus.

4. Has the product passed EN 17430 as a ‘full spectrum virucidal’ handrub?

Why it’s important: This is another key test for virucidal activity of handrub products, using norovirus as the test standard pathogen. Having a full virucidal pass using EN 14476 as well gives added peace of mind.

5. Which test organisms (pathogens) have been tested under EN 14476?

Why it’s important: It’s possible to make a (carefully worded) virucidal claim for EN 14476 by using the test method against selected non-standard test pathogens. While this would not meet the definition of ‘full EN 14476 virucidal activity’, it could appear to suggest full compliance.

6. What assurance can you provide that your HOCl meets or exceeds the necessary standards across all relevant use environments?

Why it’s important: Because of the high-level test requirements, passing Medical area EN testing implies that the relevant EN test standards for chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas have also been achieved.

7. What contact times were used in the testing?

Why it’s important: Contact time needs to reflect the product in real-life use situations. Supra Perfecta products have been tested against EN tests using 30-second and one-minute contact times. In healthcare environments, the speed of pathogen kill is critical to saving lives.

8. Was the testing conducted in house or by independent accredited UKAS laboratories?

Why it’s important: Using a UKAS-accredited lab signals that an organisation operates with proven competence, impartiality and adherence to internationally recognised standards.

9. Does the product have proven anti-fungal and anti-yeasticidal efficacy using EN 13624:2021 in one-minute contact time?

EN 13624:2021 covers Candida albicans and Aspergillus brasiliensis.

10. Does the product have anti-bacterial, anti-sporicidal and anti-yeasticidal efficacy as a chemical disinfectant in the medical area using the standard test pathogens under EN 17387:2021?

EN 17387:2021 covers Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus aureus and Candida albicans.

11. Does the product also have anti-bacterial, anti-sporicidal and anti-yeasticidal efficacy as a chemical disinfectant in the medical area using EN 17387:2021 for non-standard test pathogens?

Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli.

12. What are the soiling conditions used for these tests?

Why it’s important: This relates to testing under ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ conditions and refers to the addition of organic load (interfering substances) at different levels as part of the testing procedure. Medical standards require disinfectants to work in the presence of challenging test soils and often specify a higher log-reduction to prove product efficacy.

13. Have phase one and phase two tests been conducted?

Why it’s important: Phase one tests are conducted in suspension (testing the product efficacy against the specific pathogen in a test tube-liquid format). Phase two is the next level of laboratory testing, where a hard surface is exposed to the pathogen, then treated with the test product and then tested for the required level of reduction of surface microbes.

14. Are there suitable stability test results to make the EN test results meaningful?

Why it’s important: All Supra Perfecta HOCl formulations have been tested for ppm, pH and antimicrobial efficacy in both real-time and accelerated conditions to ensure they meet applicable guidelines when aged.

Get in touch

The Standard isn’t a checklist. It’s the benchmark.

At Supra Perfecta, we adhere to the highest standards and only say what we can 100% prove.

As the above questions show, when HOCl suppliers mention EN testing, it can look very impressive, but if you know what specific wording you should be looking for, certain claims can be less compliant than they initially seem.

By creating The Standard, we’re giving HOCl customers a clear reference point for what safe, effective and responsible disinfection looks like.

So, have you asked your HOCl supplier these questions?

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