Everything you need to know about British cleaning standards EN 1276 and EN 14476

Whether it’s a small B&B, a large hotel or a variety of self-catering lets, cleaning is an integral part of running an accommodation business. For many business owners and housekeepers trying to wrap their head around best cleaning practices for their accommodation, one of the biggest grey areas is knowing exactly what products to use.

 

Not only is it essential to thoroughly plan what, where and how frequently you will be cleaning in accordance with your risk assessments – which is where a deep cleaning checklist comes in handy – but also to assess how powerful the cleaning products you use are. 

 

Opting for BS EN 1276 or BS EN 14476 certified products, is an easy way to guarantee that the cleaning products you use are suitable for the rigorous cleaning in your guest rooms, bathrooms, communal areas and receptions to give you that extra peace of mind that your accommodation is safe and sanitised. 

 

When it comes to understanding cleaning standards, it can seem somewhat overwhelming, so we’ve created this user-friendly guide should help you understand what these cleaning standards mean, as well as the products we supply that have full certification for these standards.

 

What is BS EN 1276 and why is it important? 

 BS EN 1276 certification means that a cleaning product is antibacterial. It is a European standard used in the hospitality industry and food preparation environments that standardises the effectiveness of chemical disinfectants.

 

To qualify for this standard, the product must effectively kill 99.999% of bacteria, most specifically MRSA, within 5 minutes of use. It is heavily recommended to choose products that adhere to this standard for efficient cleaning in catering environments by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). 

 

What is BS EN 14476 and how is it different to BS EN 1276? 

 While BS EN 1276 pertains to being bactericidal, in other words prevents the growth and spread of harmful bacteria, BS EN 14476 certification means the cleaning product contains antiviral ingredients and is required to kill viruses including Poliovirus, Norovirus, Influenza A and adenovirus. 

 

It is highly recommended by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) that “to be sure of killing viruses you should use a disinfecting agent certified for EN 14476.” 

 

Do high street cleaning products meet British Cleaning Standards?

 The simple answer to this is no. While standard cleaning products may claim to kill 99.9% of germs, BS EN 1276 and BS EN 14476 certification guarantees that the product you are using will kill up to 99.999% of germs within 5 minutes of use. 

 

Cleaning product ranges with BS EN 1276 or BS EN 14476 certification 

 

JANSTAR - The Professional Choice

Janstar offer a range of highly effective solutions designed for commercial environments. Despite their powerful formulations, all Janstar cleaning chemicals are biodegradable as well as made in the UK. 

 

Janstar Multi-Surface Cleaner Dissolvable Tablets are certified BS EN 1276, killing 99.999% of bacteria in 30 seconds making them perfect for all waterproof hard surfaces including kitchens, bathrooms and dining areas. Available in 2-packs, each tablet dissolves in 750ml to create a fast-action cleaning product that require very little storage space, is plastic-free and multipurpose too!

 

Janstar Hotel Hero is certified antibacterial BS EN 1276 and antiviral BS EN 14476 both with a 5-minute contact time. It’s effective against coronavirus and SARS, killing bacteria, viruses and bad odours on hard surfaces. Great for using across all areas of your accommodation business, it really is a hero cleaning product your team will appreciate in their cleaning kit.

 

Janstar Speedy Spray Food-Safe Cleaner is certified antibacterial and sanitising as per BS EN 1276 with a 30-second contact time and antiviral as per BS EN 14476 with a 1-minute contact time. The quick-cleaning action of this product has been specifically designed for commercial kitchen spaces, killing 99.999% of bacteria in just 30 seconds.

 

Janstar Bathroom Blitzer works on all bathroom surfaces including sinks, baths, tiling and mirrors and rinsing is not required. Certified antibacterial BSEN 1276 and antiviral BSEN 14476 both with a 5-minute contact time, housekeeping teams and business owners can clean private guest bathrooms, en-suites and public washrooms with confidence.  BRIGHT EARTH - Ethical & Eco-Friendly

The eco-friendly cleaning brand, Bright Earth, offers cruelty-free cleaning products which are made in the UK using naturally derived, plant based, vegan and biodegradable ingredients. All Bright Earth bottles and containers are made using post-consumer recycled plastic.

 

Bright Earth Multi-Purpose Cleaner is suitable for all non-porous hard surfaces. Certified to BS EN 1276 and BS EN 14476 standards, simply spray on to a surface, leave for 60 seconds and wipe with a clean damp cloth. Infused with orange oil, it removes grease and grime and kills 99.999% of bacteria.

 

Quick Tips for Effective Cleaning Around Your Business

• Use products that are suitable for the task and always follow manufacturer’s instructions.

• Use a cleaning schedule to manage tasks.

• Provide clear instructions and thorough training for all your staff members.