Advancing the sciences, engineering & applications of ultraviolet technologies to enhance the quality of human life & to protect the environment.

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Healthcare/HAI Working Group

Mission Statement:

In keeping with its mission to “… make the use of Ultraviolet Technology, a leading technology for public health and environmental applications…,” the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) has recognized that the acceptance of GUVI technologies could benefit from having nationally recognized efficacy or methods performance standards, thereby increasing the credibility of GUVI in the Healthcare industry.

In response, IUVA formed a Healthcare/GUVI Working Group, and now a new Task Force to specifically address development of industry-wide, consensus-based efficacy standards for GUVI antimicrobial devices used to attack HAI, MDRO and other significant pathogens impacting the Healthcare sector.

The end goal is to garner industry-wide recognition, implementation and management of nationally recognized standards for GUVI devices used in healthcare facilities, leading to the wide spread adoption of these devices and more effective use of GUVI technologies in the disinfecting protocols used across the healthcare sector.

That, through the efforts of the IUVA Healthcare/GUVI Task Force, the use of GUVI disinfecting technologies will become widely accepted as a credible and valued part of the environmental management and facility cleaning protocols across the Healthcare industry.

This Task Force will use its specific knowledge and experience to provide global guidance and coordinate industry-wide programs and deliverables, in furtherance of this Vision and the IUVA’s outreach to the healthcare industry, both nationally and internationally.

The Task Force is convened by Troy Cowan (troy.cowan@iuva.org) and chaired by Dr. Rick Martinello (richard.martinello@yale.edu).

Meeting Details:

Sub-Groups:

UV-C Standards Coordination (ISO/TC142 WG2):

IUVA is an Affiliated Organization to ISO/TC142, covering “Cleaning equipment for air and other gases” and the Working Group #2 on UV-C Technology. Working through the Committee Manager for TC142, Ms. Anna Martino, and the Convener for WG2, Mr. Yongheng Huang, we have the opportunity to input into any and all ISO related products being reviewed within TC142, such as ISO 15858-2016 “UV-C Devices Safety Information”. A listing of TC142’s Standards can be found here. Contact Troy Cowan (troy.cowan@iuva.org) for more information.

Labeling of UV-C Products (NEMA):

IUVA has partnered with NEMA on an effort to improve the quality and consistency of germicidal UV product labeling. A group of IUVA participants began work on a draft label in fall 2021, and officially partnered with NEMA in fall 2022. The joint group now aims to bring a label to ANSI for further development, as part of the ANSI C137 Lighting Systems Committee. The primary goals of this label are to clearly communicate product capabilities, to increase confidence in germicidal UV products, and to reduce the incidence of product claims that may be vague, false, or misleading. If interested in becoming involved or for general questions, please contact Mairead Smith (msmith@ecri.org) or Mike O’Boyle (mike.oboyle@signify.com).

Whole Room & HVAC Disinfection Standards (ASHRAE):

IUVA and ASHRAE are cooperatively promoting the advancement of research, standards and guidelines related to the application of the UV technology for a more sustainable built environment. This includes several initiatives related to development of ANSI certifiable standards and related guidelines for testing procedures, whole-room disinfection systems, upper-room HVAC applications, permanent installations in new facilities, cooling towers, and more.  Contact Ashish Mathur (ashish.mathur@uvdi.com) for more information.

UV-C Output Measurement Standards (IES):

The IES and IUVA have signed an MOU to assemble experts in the measurement of UV-C emissions to develop American National Standards (ANSI) for the measurement and characterization of UV-C device performance. Through this MOU, two standards have been published: LM-92-2022 (measurement of UV-LEDs) and LM-93-2022 (measurement of excimer lamps). Three additional documents are under development: measurement of low-pressure mercury tubes, measurement of radiant intensity for a UV-C device that is meant to plug into the branch circuit, and a technical memorandum on UV-C radiometer characterization and use.  Contact C. Cameron Miller (c.miller@nist.gov) for more information.

NIST Joint Activities

IUVA and NIST are working collaboratively to develop accurate measurement techniques and models for GUV technologies and facilitate technology transfer. These efforts have included NIST hosting international workshops on UV-C disinfection technologies, and compiling and disseminating the most available, up-to date information, in the open-access Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in a “Special Section on Ultraviolet Technologies for Public Health”. The section describes new applications of UV-C technology and details methods of characterizing how physical and biological materials respond to UV radiation. The section was also recently published by the IUVA as a book. NIST and IUVA have engaged in a number of public webinars, which are archived on the IUVA website, such as Enhancing the New Normalcy with Ultraviolet Disinfection, as well as in-person events such as the special session on GUV at the 2022 IUVA Americas Conference. Contact Dr. Dianne Poster (dianne.poster@nist.gov) for more information.

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