Antibacterial products - How do they work?

Because bacteria are invisible to us, the controlling action of antibacterial products is imperceptible to the consumers. We takes the responsibility of selling the unseen benefit of germ control very seriously. Our researchers make sure that our products have the expected efficacy against microbes and that they will meet efficacy requirements in the countries where they are sold.

In short, P&G researchers formulate products to meet high standards by first using stringent screening assays in the laboratory. Next, the selected formulations are subject to more stringent laboratory-based tests, as recommended by the European Normalization Commission [Comit Europen de Normalisation, CEN)]. Next, products are subjected to more realistic in-use tests, to confirm product efficacy against microbes and to guarantee effectiveness under real-life conditions. Such tests are routinely performed with P&G' s antimicrobial products, in a dedicated laboratory which like the "Experimental Kitchen".
 

The efficacy test of choice depends on the actual claim made on the product. In general, P&G follows the European guidelines for evaluating the efficancy of antimicrobial products. This involves testing of the product in the laboratory, using microbes in suspension, to assess their intrinsic biocidal  potential. If a satisfactory test result is obtained in the laboratory, the product is subjected to a more stringent test, using microbes  that are added to and then dried onto the appropriate carrier surface(s).
 

The CEN TC 216 Committee accepted the classical laboratory-based European Tiered Test Approach.
 

supportable claims
If product passes, it qualifies for further testing
Step 1
If product passes, it qualifies for generic disinfectancy claims
(an in trinsic property)
Step 2
If product passes, it qualifies for disinfectancy claims on surfaces or
"Surface disinfectant"