4.1.8 The WD manufacturers instructions shall recommend that heat-stable endoscopic accessories to thermo-labile devices should be thermally disinfected and/or sterilized. (see Clause 8 of this standard and ISO/FDIS 15883 1:2004, 4.1.5).
4.1.5 Disinfection is specified by reference to time and temperature for thermal disinfection or as time, temperature and concentration for chemical disinfection. Whenever practicable, thermal disinfection is preferred. Thermal disinfection processes are more easily controlled and avoid the hazards to staff, patients and the environment that can occur through the use of chemical disinfectants. The required disinfection conditions or the minimum microbial reduction factor necessary, i.e. the A0 value, are specified in subsequent parts of ISO 15883. Disinfection performances specified in subsequent parts of ISO 15883 are minimum requirements. Regulatory authorities can specify more stringent requirements within the territories for which they are responsible.