ISO 18184-2025 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 18184-2025 — Textiles — Determination of antiviral (virucidal) activity of textile products. This edition (2025) defines standardized laboratory methods for assessing the reduction of infectious virus on treated and untreated textile materials (woven, knitted, non‑woven, yarns, fibres and related articles) under specified test conditions.

Abstract

This standard specifies quantitative test procedures to determine the antiviral activity of textile products by exposing material specimens to a defined viral inoculum, holding for specified contact times, neutralizing and recovering surviving virus, and calculating log reduction compared with control specimens. Results are reported as viral titre reductions; the standard also notes that efficacy against one virus cannot be automatically extrapolated to other viruses.

General information

• Status: Published / Current (replaces ISO 18184:2019).
• Publication date: March 2025 (edition published March 2025).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) / ISO/TC 38 (Textiles).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 (Textiles).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2025).
• Number of pages: 56–57 pages (published formats list 56 pages; ISO catalogue shows 57 pages depending on format).

Scope

ISO 18184:2025 specifies laboratory methods to evaluate antiviral (virucidal) activity of finished textile products and textile materials. The scope covers test specimen preparation, choice of test virus(es), inoculation procedures, contact times, neutralization and recovery, viral titration and calculation of antiviral activity (log reduction). The standard applies to a wide range of textile forms (woven, knitted, non‑woven, fibres, yarns) and is intended for comparative performance testing rather than direct prediction of clinical performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized inoculation procedures and specimen preparation for different textile types.
• Selection and use of representative test viruses and cell‑culture assays to quantify infectious virus.
• Defined contact times and temperature/humidity conditions for exposure.
• Neutralization and recovery steps to stop antiviral action and recover surviving virus for accurate titration.
• Calculation and reporting of antiviral activity as log10 reduction and percent reduction relative to control specimens.
• Guidance on interpretation and limitations — results for one virus are not automatically transferable to others; laboratory competence and biosafety requirements are implied.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of antiviral or treated textiles, independent testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies, research and development teams (product formulation, coatings, finish developers), procurement specialists specifying antiviral performance, and regulatory or healthcare quality teams use this standard to validate and compare antiviral claims and to demonstrate product performance under standardized laboratory conditions.

Related standards

Commonly referenced alongside ISO 18184 are other textile microbiology standards such as ISO 20743 (determination of antibacterial activity of textile products) and industry test methods like AATCC TM100 (antibacterial/antimicrobial assessment methods). ISO 18184:2025 formally replaces ISO 18184:2019. Users should also consider applicable regional or sector-specific test methods and biosafety standards when selecting test protocols.

Keywords

antiviral, virucidal, textile testing, viral reduction, log reduction, ISO 18184, textiles, test method, neutralization, contact time, ISO/TC 38.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18184:2025 is an international laboratory test standard that specifies how to measure the antiviral (virucidal) activity of textile products under controlled conditions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, inoculation with a test virus, defined contact conditions, neutralization and recovery of surviving virus, quantification (cell culture/titration) and calculation/reporting of antiviral activity (log reductions). It also describes limitations on interpretation (e.g., results are virus‑specific).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile manufacturers, independent test laboratories, R&D and product development teams, procurement and quality/regulatory professionals, and conformity assessment bodies use this standard to substantiate antiviral performance claims and to compare treated textiles.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 18184:2025 is the current published edition (March 2025) and replaces ISO 18184:2019, which has been withdrawn.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within ISO/TC 38 (Textiles) microbiological testing work and is used alongside related textile hygiene standards such as ISO 20743 (antibacterial testing) and various national/regional test methods (AATCC methods, national adoptions). It is not a multi‑part series but is part of the broader family of textile performance and safety standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Antiviral, virucidal, textile, viral titre, log reduction, neutralization, contact time, test method, ISO 18184.