Three important standards have just been published. The TSA took a proactive role in procedures to develop these and believes the industry needs to inform itself of the detail.
1. "Laundry processed textiles - biocontamination control system" (BS EN14065).
This joint British and European Standard is aimed at the provision of textiles to manufacturing and service industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, food and healthcare.
The standard describes a management system for assuring the microbiological quality of laundry-processed textiles.
It is based on the dual principles of identifying biocontamination risks in the laundry process and then designing, validating and monitoring processes to prevent or control such risks in order to assure the hygienic quality of the textiles for reuse. These principles are known as RABC - risk analysis biocontamination control.
Many launderers will already be aware of controls through HACCP (hazard analysis at critical control points) when servicing the food industry.
But the need for the same duty of care in other sectors has recently been highlighted in mainstream press articles in The Times and Daily Mail.
2. "Industrial washing and finishing procedures for testing workwear" (BS ISO 15797).
Garment rental operators should be aware of this standard and garment manufacturers and suppliers should be able to demonstrate that their products meet it before offering them for use in the industry.
3."Surgical drapes, gowns and clean air suits - General Requirements" (BS EN 13795 - part 1).
The TSA's healthcare working party monitored the progress of this highly controversial standard. The standard will be vital for ensuring the continued use of reusable textiles in this application.
Four further parts will follow and the TSA will continue to play a proactive part by contracting Mike Palin, the acknowledged UK expert on the subject, to represent the industry's interests.
International standards benefit business by removing barriers to trade, helping to improve quality and competitiveness.
Now that the standards have been agreed and published it is up to industry to make use of them.
