Overview
EN ISO 20342-5:2024 - Assistive products for tissue integrity when lying down - Part 5: Test method for resistance to cleaning and disinfection specifies a laboratory method to evaluate how liquid cleaners and disinfectants affect the protective outer surface of assistive products for tissue integrity (APTIs). The standard targets waterproof coated textiles used as the outer surface and measures loss of waterproof performance caused by chemical contact time (not abrasion or mechanical wear).
Key facts:
- Standard reference: EN ISO 20342-5:2024
- Focus: resistance to cleaning and disinfection of waterproof coated textiles
- Not applicable to outer surfaces that are not sufficiently drapeable
- Failure criterion: loss of waterproofing at 20 kPa (2 000 mm water) hydrostatic pressure
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test specimens: cut two samples (30 cm × 23 cm) from the surface intended to be cleaned/disinfected.
- Conditioning: standardized environmental conditions (temperature 23 °C ± 2 °C, humidity 50 % ± 5 %) per ISO 554.
- Exposure method: “pouching” the specimen over a rigid non‑absorbent vessel and filling with the liquid cleaner or disinfectant to create direct contact with the outer surface.
- Contact cycle: 24 hours per cycle; use fresh solution for each cycle. Repeat until either a predefined number of cycles or material failure.
- Evaluation: measure hydrostatic head according to ISO 811 at 20 kPa after each cycle, record visual changes (delamination, stickiness, leaks) and photograph samples before/after testing.
- Disinfectant types: method accommodates alcohol‑based, quaternary ammonium, active chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, and other liquid cleaners - concentrations must be reported.
- Reporting: include sample description, disinfectant brand and composition, number of cycles to failure (or total cycles without failure), photos, and laboratory details.
Applications and who uses it
- Manufacturers of APTIs and coated textiles use this standard to validate product resistance to routine cleaning and disinfection protocols.
- Independent test laboratories perform reproducible durability testing for product certification and R&D.
- Healthcare procurement teams and infection control professionals use results to compare products for durability under specific cleaning regimens.
- Regulatory bodies and conformity assessors reference test outcomes when assessing lifetime performance and safety of assistive products.
Related standards
- ISO 811 - Textiles: hydrostatic pressure (waterproof test)
- ISO 554 - Standardized atmospheric conditions for testing
- ISO 20342 series - other parts covering APTI performance and requirements
- Clinical guidance referenced in the background: NPUAP/EPUAP/PPPIA pressure ulcer prevention guidelines
This standard helps ensure that APTI outer surfaces maintain tissue-protective performance after repeated exposure to cleaning and disinfection - critical for infection control and product longevity.
