SMTL is proud to announce that it has become the first laboratory to offer accreredited testing to EN 13726 Test Methods for Wound Dressings - Aspects of absorption, moisture vapour transmission, waterproofness and extensibility.

The long-awaited revision of the wound dressing standard EN 13726:2023 has recently been published replacing EN 13726 parts 1-4.

Since the original EN 13726 parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 were published, dressings technology has changed significantly. Test method parameters which, seemed reasonable when the standard was first drafted, are now causing operational difficulties for test houses, manufacturers and purchasers. During the same period, European procurement legislation has also changed, and it is increasingly common for contracts to specify that data be provided in compliance with EN 13726. However, the technical issues now inherent in the standard mean the usefulness of some of these data is questionable, and in fact can be misleading. 

To address these issues, all the existing test methods have had their testing parameters amended and in many cases the test equipment has also been modified. New test methods have also been included that more closely simulate clinical practice, such as the inclusion of fluid retention capacity and absorbency under compression, which measures the absorbency of dressings that are designed to be used under compression bandages or hosiery. 

To aid manufacturers and procurement organisations in requesting pertinent data on specific types of wound dressings, the standard provides a suggested list of test methods for each of the main categories of wound dressings.

For more information please reach out to our dedicated team via our website or email directly to info@smtl.co.uk.