References & evidence
Sterilwave references and independent evidence
Independent microbiological testing, measured emissions and real-world implementations for healthcare institutions and laboratories, brought together in one transparent evidence overview.
Independent evidence and real-world references
Tested microbiology, measured emissions and international validation
The Sterilwave family uses the same core principles of shredding and microwave heat treatment across its capacity range. SimpleComply maps independent laboratory evidence and real-world references to the selected model, waste matrix and site conditions.
Independent microbiology
The Microbiological Research Institute tested Sterilwave under Appendix A of NF X 30-503 using Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis spores, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Candida albicans and Aspergillus brasiliensis. Reported reduction values ranged from 7.41 to 8.68 log10. Four regrowth series recorded 0 colony-forming units per gram on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28.
Netherlands: UMC Utrecht
SGS Netherlands measured Sterilwave exhaust on 17 September 2021 before and after high-efficiency particulate air and carbon filtration and concluded that all examined substance classes met the then-applicable Dutch emission requirements. On 30 March 2022, the City of Utrecht granted an environmental permit for the specified laboratory waste stream. The decision records no process water, approximately 80% volume reduction and approximately 20% weight reduction. For this UMC case it also records about 2 tonnes less heavy packaging material per year and an expected annual reduction of 14 tonnes in waste weight. New Dutch projects are assessed against the current Circulair Materialenplan.
United Kingdom: Whipps Cross Hospital
A 2016 UK permit-validation report for two Sterilwave installations at Whipps Cross Hospital in London reports testing with 36 biological-indicator carriers containing 6 log10 Bacillus atrophaeus. Every reported carrier achieved 6 log10 inactivation and the report concluded that the greater-than-4-log10 Level III criterion was met. Measured fugitive emissions also remained well below the limits applied in that permit validation. The test used 440 configurations and supports the process principles applied across the Sterilwave family.
France and Europe
A 2012 French interministerial circular approved the Sterilwave pretreatment method for infectious healthcare waste and cited technical and microbiological trials performed under NF X 30-503. Hôpital Foch in Suresnes is also publicly documented as a French hospital reference using on-site Sterilwave treatment for infectious healthcare waste. In 2024, the European Commission’s Green Assist programme supported an environmental-benefit assessment of Sterilwave and work on higher-value use of treated residue within European and national environmental frameworks.
Evidence dossier: Microbiological Research Institute test series 100/0112-1 to 100/0112-141 (2013); SGS Netherlands report EZEM-2021-08-00009 (2021); City of Utrecht permit HZ_WABO-21-46662 (2022); UK validation report 16/0691 (2016); French interministerial circular DGS/EA1/DGPR/2012-335 (2012); European Commission Green Assist (2024). SimpleComply maps this evidence to the selected Sterilwave model, waste matrix, site conditions and current project requirements.
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