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.

1. What percentage purity is your hypochlorous acid?

Answer: Our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid has a purity greater than 95%
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 7.6. The accurate measurement of the HOCl content should be undertaken using a UV spectrophotometer, where the spectral peak (λmax) for the HOCl species is ~235 nm (compared to ~ 290 nm for the OCl species, which is the common impurity). 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 SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid made via an electrolytic or chemical synthesis process?

Answer: Our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid is manufactured using a Proprietary Chemical Synthesis method.
Why it’s important: HOCl that is manufactured using an “electro-chemically activated” (electrolytic or electrolysis) process often faces challenges such as instability, inconsistent concentration and improper pH balance; which can lead to unreliable claims and high corrosion profiles. Most of these electrolytically produced products contain stabiliser compounds to increase shelf-life.

Supra Perfecta has the world’s only proprietary chemical synthesis process capable of producing high-purity, stable HOCl 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?

Answer: Yes, both our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid and our ActaPure™ Disinfecting Handrub has passed this certification.

 

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

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

Answer: Our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid has been tested and shown to be effective against: adenovirus, norovirus, poliovirus, human coronavirus (229E), influenza A H1N1 (swine flu), influenza A H5N1 (avian flu) and vaccinia. Our ActaPure™ Disinfecting Handrub (which contains SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid) has been tested and shown to be effective against: norovirus, adenovirus, poliovirus and vaccinia.
Why it’s important: It is 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. Our products are fully compliant.

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

Answer: Yes, our ActaPure™ Disinfecting Handrub (which contains SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid) has passed this certification against norovirus.
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.

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

Answer: We test our products at independent UKAS accredited laboratories to ensure scientific rigour to our product certifications.
Why it’s important: Due to 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?

Answer: Individual EN tests specify the contact time that must be used, and it varies between tests and microorganisms. However, most tests are either 30 seconds or 1 minute contact times.
Why it’s important: Whilst the EN tests are specific and must be followed, the faster that a product can kill a pathogen, the better.

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

Answer: We test our products at independent UKAS accredited laboratories to ensure scientific rigour to our product certifications.
Why it’s important: Using an independent laboratory signals that an organisation operates with proven competence, impartiality and adherence to internationally recognised standards.

9. Does the product have proven anti-fungal and yeasticidal efficacy using the EN 13624:2021 standard?

Answer: Yes, our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid has been tested and shown to be effective against: Aspergillus brasiliensis, Candida albicans and Candidozyma auris (Candida auris). Our ActaPure™ Disinfecting Handrub (which contains SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid) has been tested and shown to be effective against: Candida albicans and Candidozyma auris (Candida auris)

10. Does the product have antibacterial and yeasticidal efficacy as a chemical disinfectant in the medical area using the standard test pathogens AND additional test pathogens?

Answer: Yes, our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid has been tested to EN 17387:2021 and shown to be effective against: Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae and Listeria monocytogenes.

11. Has the product passed EN 17126:2018 for sporicidal efficacy in the medical area in one minute?

Answer: Yes, our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid has been tested to EN 17126:2018 with a one-minute contact time and was shown to be effective against: Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridioides difficile (spores). Our ActaPure™ Disinfecting Handrub (which contains SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid) has also been shown to be effective against B. cereus, B. subtilis and C. difficile with a one-minute contact time.

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

Answer: Our ActaPure™ Disinfecting Handrub has been tested under clean conditions – as this is the recommended protocol for hand rubs. It is normal for hand sanitising products to only be applied to “visibly clean” hands. Our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid has been tested using clean conditions, however, dirty conditions are currently being tested to add to our overall data package.
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 surface 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?

Answer: Yes, we have done various Phase 1 & Phase 2 testing with both our SPT95™ Hypochlorous Acid and ActaPure™ Disinfecting Handrub products.
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?

Answer: Yes, all of our products have been tested for ppm, pH and antimicrobial efficacy in both real-time and accelerated conditions to ensure they meet applicable guidelines when aged.
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At Supra Perfecta, we adhere to the highest standards and only say what we can 100% prove.

As the above questions show, when hypochlorous acid (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 hypochlorous acid (HOCl) customers a clear reference point for what safe, effective and responsible disinfection looks like.

So, have you asked your hypochlorous acid supplier these questions?