On July 12, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticides Programs (OPP) signed a five year contract to continue its working relationship with AOAC INTERNATIONAL. The purpose of this program is to improve the quality of existing regulatory methods, such as AOAC Method 966.04 (Sporicidal Activity of Disinfectants), and to validate new quantitative procedures to determine the performance of antimicrobial pesticides. In addition, the contract provides for the update to AOAC methods found in Chapter 6 (Disinfectants) of the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL (OMA) through editorial revision and for other special projects and assignments related to antimicrobial test methods.

Modifications to Method 966.04, relevant to Bacillus subtilis on a hard surface against liquid sporicides, were approved as a First Action Official Method^SM in July, 2006. A collaborative study to evaluate a second test organism, Clostridium sporogenes, on a hard surface against liquid sporicides is scheduled to begin in the 3rd quarter of 2008. Future work will evaluate the remaining aspects of Method 966.04, including modifications for both test organisms on hard surfaces against gas sterilants, and both test organisms on porous surfaces against liquid and gas sterilants.

Concurrent to the SAT modifications, the Three Step Method (TSM) is being assessed as a quantitative replacement method for efficacy testing of liquid sporicides. A collaborative study was performed, and the manuscript submitted to AOAC is currently in the final stages of review. To further enhance the success of the TSM, AOAC worked with the EPA to coordinate the production of a Training Video for the Three-Step Method which will be housed on the AOAC website. A series of video clips will highlight the important steps outlined in the TSM Method. The suitability of the video will be determined as part of the review process.

Three Use-Dilution test methods (955.14, 955.15 and 964.02) have been revised editorially and updated in the online and print versions of the Official Methods of Analysis. Additional revisions including an inoculum enumeration procedure and standardized carrier counts based on historical data have been submitted to AOAC for review. Editorial changes to the Tuberculocidal Activity Test 965.12 have been reviewed and approved by the AOAC Methods Committee on Antimicrobial Efficacy Testing. The Committee will review the changes to Germicidal Spray Products Test 961.02 in the next quarter.

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