The capability of the WD to provide disinfection of the device shall be deemed to have been established if, when the WD is tested as specified in 6.12.6 under the specified conditions of disinfectant concentration, volume, temperature and contact time the required microbial inactivation factor is attained (see 4.4.2.4)
The choice of disinfectant shall ensure that the spectrum of activity is appropriate for the intended use The efficacy of disinfectants may be seriously impaired by residual soiling, inorganic salts etc remaining on the device(s) and therefore an effective cleaning prior to disinfection is required.
NOTE Other process chemicals, e. g. detergents can react with and seriously impair the activity of disinfectants if they are not removed before the disinfection stage.
National regulatory requirements may specify approval procedures for disinfectants to be used in WDs for medical devices. Compliance with these national requirements shall be deemed to meet the requirements of 4.4. within the territory where these requirements apply.