Profile
Founded in 2001, MSL is a complete service provider, offering an integrated regulatory and laboratory testing service. Its in-house accredited labs provide a comprehensive range of standard tests, including efficacy testing against bacteria, fungi, spores, viruses, mycobacteria, legionella, and algae. It also offers a tailored solution to specific testing needs, in order to support clients’ individual requirements.
The majority of its microbiology, including virology testing, is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (UKAS Ref 4045).
Disinfectant product testing
Disinfectants are used in a wide variety of situations to reduce the number of microorganisms in the environment and on surfaces. All products need to be tested to prove they are effective against their claimed targets. MSL can assist with testing and regulatory services relating to disinfectant products. Operating internationally from its UK base, MSL has the expertise to assist with regulations across different markets from the UK & EU through to the TGA testing requirements in Australia.
MSL Solution Providers can also help manufacturers and brands of quat-based biocidal products, often used in disinfectants, with BPR dossier preparation. Its support includes compiling safety data sheets, as well as efficacy testing at its in-house laboratories, to substantiate claims against bacteria, yeast, fungi, and enveloped viruses, effectiveness under dirty conditions, and to ensure that residue levels in food areas do not exceed maximum limits.
Hand sanitiser and disinfectant testing
Our full service includes quantitative suspension tests for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity (EN 13624) and bactericidal activity (EN 13727). Plus, surgical hand disinfectant efficacy is tested (EN 12791). This testing is in addition to virucidal testing EN 14476, EN 1499 for hygienic handwashes, and EN 1500 for hygienic hand rubs.
In addition, we test for hygienic hand wash efficacy (EN 1499), hygienic hand rub disinfectant efficacy (EN 1500), plus new standard EN 17430, which tests products against viruses on subjects’ hands. For non-medical uses our quantitative suspension test evaluates bactericidal activity (EN 1276) and fungicidal or yeasticidal activity (EN 1650).
Cleanroom disinfectant validation
Biocidal products will have been tested for efficacy against the standard EU test methods, however, cleanroom inspectors expect to see specific test data relating to the selected disinfectants used against the organisms isolated during routine environmental monitoring.
MSL can work with your environmental monitoring teams to check whether the disinfectants used are effective in each specific situation against the in-house environmental challenges and on each different surface type. This testing should be carried out routinely and specifically when changes to products or cleaning regimes are introduced.
Airborne disinfection by automation process (EN17272)
The EN17272:2020 standard determines the disinfectant activity of processes used in the medical, veterinary, food, industrial, domestic, and institutional areas, using automated processes for distributing chemicals by air diffusion with no operator manually applying the disinfectant. This includes the disinfection of nonporous surfaces but not that of the air. In March 2021, MSL was the UK’s first leading commercial microbiological testing company to introduce this service in-house, performing tests in its new building, specially commissioned for this process. To book or for further information or advice, please contact airbornedisinfection@msl.io.
UV disinfection (BS 8628:2022)
The new BS 8628:2022 standard covers the requirements and methodology for testing the efficacy of UV devices. Largely based on the existing airborne disinfection standard EN 17272:2020, with some minor variations for UV devices, this method standardises a distance for the emitter from a test surface, allowing for an assessment of power vs contact time for the UV unit. It covers the requirements and methodology for testing the efficacy of UV devices, determining bactericidal, mycobactericidal, sporicidal, yeasticidal, fungicidal, virucidal and phagocidal activities.
MSL’s in-house laboratories have bespoke, purpose-built enclosures specifically set up to implement testing to this industry standard to assure companies that the UV disinfection system employed at their facilities is both suitable for use and effective against the organisms that pose the greatest risks. To book or for further information or advice, please contact airbornedisinfection@msl.io.
Efficacy testing
MSL can perform any microbiological test methods (which include ISO, EU.ph. US.ph. JIS) and apply deviations appropriate to the intended use/application, to support disinfectant validation and BPR dossiers.
Auditing
MSL can carry out site audits for cleaning validation, or provide the swabs, plates, and training for this to be carried out by cleanroom operatives themselves.
Bespoke testing
MSL provides not only a comprehensive range of standard tests, but also offers a tailored solution to your specific testing needs.
Technical support & consultancy
MSL customers are appointed with a dedicated technical project manager, who will be their one point of contact from the initial enquiry to the final report, and beyond.
Regulatory services
MSL can provide support for all your biocide regulatory requirements.
Safety Data Sheets & Poison Centre Notifications
MSL’s SDS subscription service enables companies to outsource the responsibility of maintaining these essential documents to its in-house specialist SDS team. The package includes alerts and notifications of upcoming changes, consultancy, an annual review to ensure they remain up to date, and a limited number of revisions, as applicable. In addition, MSL can expertly author new Safety Data Sheets in different languages and complete Poison Centre Notifications.