TS 13085

TS 13085 is a service standard that addresses the general rules for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical tools and materials used in inpatient and outpatient health enterprises, together with the workplaces that provide these services. It brings different material groups under one operational framework, from textiles to PVC, glass, porcelain and metal items, so that reprocessing before reuse can be organised in a controlled and hygienic way.

Why the material distinction matters

The subject of the standard is not one single device category but several materials with very different behaviour in service. Textiles, plastics such as PVC, glass, porcelain and metal respond differently to heat, chemicals and mechanical cleaning. In general technical terms, cleaning removes visible soil and residues, disinfection reduces microbial load, and sterilization aims to eliminate viable microorganisms by an appropriate process. In medical workflows these steps are distinct, because the suitable method depends on the item’s use, construction and material compatibility.

Workplace rules in a healthcare setting

The document also covers the general rules for the service workplace itself. In healthcare practice, the effectiveness of reprocessing depends not only on the treatment method but also on how the workflow is arranged, how items move between contaminated and clean areas, and how services are organised as a whole. As a general service standard, it provides a common framework for workplaces involved in these operations, without turning every technical detail into a separate product rule.

• Applies to a broad range of medical materials used in healthcare enterprises.
• Focuses on the general rules for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization services.
• Also covers the workplace where these services are carried out.
• Treats inpatient and outpatient health enterprises together.