Overview
ISO/TR 7655:2022 - "Corrosion of metals and alloys - Overview of metal corrosion protection when using disinfectants" is a technical report that summarizes the corrosivity of disinfectants and practical approaches to metal corrosion protection during disinfection. The document is generic and applicable to organizations of all sizes, across industries, as well as to families and individuals. It provides guidance on corrosivity, test methods (Annex A) and a catalogue of commonly used disinfectants and their properties (Annex B). Security aspects of disinfectant use are outside its scope.
Key topics
- Classification of disinfectants by active ingredients and use (e.g., halogens, peroxides, alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds, aldehydes).
- Corrosivity characteristics: the report explains that corrosivity generally increases with oxidizing power and acidity and highlights which disinfectant families are typically more aggressive to metals.
- Corrosion protection principles: recommended good practices for reducing corrosion risks when disinfectants are used, including reliance on product data and industry guidance.
- Test methods overview (Annex A): a descriptive summary of laboratory and application-relevant methods that can determine disinfectant corrosivity to metals.
- Disinfectant properties (Annex B): physical/chemical properties, mechanisms, application scope and typical uses of common disinfectants.
- Terminology and context: the report references ISO terms and related definitions to support consistent understanding.
Practical applications
ISO/TR 7655:2022 is useful for:
- Facility and maintenance managers assessing corrosion risk in hospitals, public transport, food processing, HVAC, and communal areas.
- Corrosion engineers and materials specialists selecting compatible metals, coatings and protective strategies where disinfectants are used.
- Disinfectant manufacturers and suppliers documenting and communicating product corrosivity and recommended precautions.
- Cleaning and disinfection service providers for training and operational procedures to avoid equipment or surface damage.
- Regulatory bodies and public health agencies wanting a technical overview to complement infection-control guidance.
- Households and small organizations seeking basic guidance on safe disinfectant use to prevent metal damage.
Practical measures promoted by the report include following product specifications, using manufacturer corrosion data, implementing appropriate material selection and coatings, adopting suitable application methods and training personnel in safe use.
Related standards
The report draws on ISO terminology and related ISO documents (e.g., ISO 8044:2020 for corrosion terms and ISO 15190:2020 for disinfectant definitions) and was prepared by ISO/TC 156 (Corrosion of metals and alloys). For implementation, consult product-specific standards and test-method standards referenced in Annex A.