EN 13726 — Test methods for wound dressings
EN 13726 defines standardized laboratory test methods for wound dressings, covering key functional properties such as absorption, moisture vapour transmission (WVTR), waterproofness and extensibility. The 2023 revision consolidates the previous part-series into a single, updated standard.
Overview
The standard specifies test set-ups, specimen preparation, environmental conditions and evaluation procedures so that results are comparable between laboratories and meaningful for product development, quality control and regulatory documentation.
Purpose and scope
EN 13726 is intended to provide in-vitro test methods for primary wound dressings and related products when manufacturers or testers claim properties such as absorbency, vapour permeability, water resistance or stretch behaviour. The 2023 edition replaces the older EN 13726 part series and gathers the methods in one document.
Test aspects and methods
The standard contains specific methods to evaluate: free-swell absorptive capacity and fluid retention, moisture vapour transmission for permeable films and fixation dressings, waterproofness (breakthrough / penetration tests) and mechanical/extensional tests for deformability and conformability. Many procedures use simulated wound fluids, controlled temperature/humidity and mass-change or pressure-based measurements.
Application Areas of EN 13726
The EN 13726 standard is important in many areas, including:
Absorption and fluid handling
Absorption and retention tests show how much exudate a dressing can take up and hold — essential for matching dressings to wound type and exudate level, and for comparing product performance.
Moisture control and vapour transmission
WVTR measurements help assess whether a dressing enables adequate vapour exchange to avoid maceration while maintaining a moist healing environment. These data support material selection and product claims.
Waterproofness, extensibility and product development
Waterproofness tests verify barrier properties against external fluids, while extensibility tests evaluate conformability and mechanical stability. Both are used in R&D, batch QA and to substantiate marketing or regulatory statements.
Machines Compliant with EN 13726
Here are machines suitable for testing in accordance with EN 13726:
- With GraviTest the determination of water vapour transmission rates of polymeric films and other sheet materials by gravimetric method becomes mere child’s play.
- The new Automatic Gravimetric WVTR Tester GINTRONIC GraviTest 6250 comes with a 0.01mg balance as a standard feature. The 0.01 mg balance makes WVTR measurements of low perm materials 2-3 times faster than the previous generation systems.
- The same instrument like GINTRONIC GraviTest 6300/6400, but with 10 sample places with 30cm2 / 28,3cm2. Conforms to ASTM E96, JIS L1099 A1+A2 and many others.
- The same instrument like GINTRONIC GraviTest 6300/6400, but also for samples with a thickness up to 50mm.
