Test methods for safe & sustainable healthcare products

The healthcare sector accounts for 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If it was a country, it would be among the five largest emitters. When there is a need to develop sustainable products and packaging for healthcare, RISE supports with expertise and tests that ensure both functionality and safety – from early prototype to finished solution.

Manufacturers of products for healthcare play a crucial role in ensuring that manufacturing and material choices are made with consideration for both chemical safety and sustainability from a life cycle perspective.

Today, the healthcare sector worldwide produces large amounts of waste, averaging 2 kg per care place per day. By designing with a holistic approach from the start, manufacturers can reduce the amount of packaging material, simplify recycling, and support the transition from single-use to reusable products. When making changes in manufacturing processes, material choices, or recycling methods, it is important to carefully evaluate different options. The safety of both patients and healthcare staff must always be the primary consideration in all decisions.

Our offer

To ensure that both functionality, safety, and environmental impact are considered from a life cycle perspective, we at RISE are inspired by the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) method. This method helps us evaluate several sustainability aspects of a product or process, from design to the end of the life cycle, where we strive to minimize negative effects and optimize both functionality and sustainability.

We offer testing according to standards and can also tailor test packages specifically suited to your product, as well as adapted to the phase of product development you are in.

For example, we can assist with the evaluation of:

Function

Absorption capacity: Tests according to EN 13726 and EN ISO 9073 for nonwoven products.
Abrasion resistance: Tests according EN ISO 12947.
Antimicrobial efficacy: Tests according to e.g. EN 17854, ISO 20743 or AATCC TM100.
Comfort: Tests for friction, thermal insulation, bending stiffness, draping, permeability, and Moisture Management.
Personal tests in climate chambers: Ability to record moisture and temperature at various locations in garments and products on or near the human body during activity or rest in climate rooms.
Aroma analysis: Tests according to SNV 195 651 (Panel odour test).
Aging: Accelerated aging in controlled chambers.
Cleanability: washing and drying of textiles and reprocessing of medical devices, including simulated use with test soil.
Tensile properties of textile materials: Tests according to ISO 13934-1 and -2.