Rijswijk, Netherlands – We at UV Smart, a leading innovator in sustainable UV-C disinfection technology, are thrilled to mark a major milestone for the healthcare sector. Stichting Koninklijk Nederlands Normalisatie‑Instituut (NEN), the Dutch national standards organization responsible for developing and promoting technical standards in the Netherlands, has published for the first time a formal standard for the use of UV-C light in the disinfection of non-critical and semi-critical medical devices.
The new standard, NEN 8281:2025, sets out clear guidance for equipment, application protocols, usage and safety when employing UV-C technology for medical-device disinfection.
“At UV Smart we are proud to see UV-C formally recognized as a validated, effective and sustainable method for High Level Disinfection,” said Daan Hoek, Co-Founder of UV Smart. “This standard gives hospitals a clear framework to safely adopt chemical-free, fast and reliable UV-C technology. It confirms UV-C technology as safe and effective, paving the way for even broader clinical use.”
Why this matters
- For the first time, UV-C disinfection of non-critical and semi-critical medical devices is backed by a national standard, providing clarity, trust and a regulatory benchmark across the supply and use chain.
- UV-C technology now gains stronger recognition as a validated alternative to chemical disinfection methods. As healthcare institutions seek to reduce chemicals, shorten turnaround times, and minimize environmental impact, this standard provides a strong foundation.
- The publication of NEN 8281:2025 supports manufacturers, suppliers and infection prevention in hospitals with actionable guidance, specifying requirements around equipment, validation, protocols and safety for UV-C.
What this means for hospitals and healthcare providers
- Clear criteria: The standard outlines what constitutes safe, effective UV-C disinfection for non-critical and semi-critical devices.
- Chemical-free alternative: Hospitals can now confidently adopt UV-C systems as part of their infection prevention strategies, reducing reliance on chemical disinfectants.
- Sustainable & efficient processes: UV-C offers the possibility of faster turnaround, lower residue/chemical load, and potentially lower environmental footprint.
- Vendor & device clarity: Suppliers and device-manufacturers can align to the standard, ensuring systems are validated, documented and compliant.
- Patient safety: With robust protocols, usage of UV-C for appropriate device categories supports infection control while aligning with modern sustainability and efficiency demands.
About UV Smart
Founded by Thijs Kea and Daan Hoek, UV Smart has pioneered UV-C disinfection solutions designed for hospital-grade workflows. Our mission is to enable healthcare institutions to adopt efficient, safe, chemical-free disinfection technologies that meet clinical standards and modern environmental expectations. With the publication of NEN 8281:2025, the industry now has a roadmap that aligns perfectly with our technology vision.
Looking ahead
With the standard now published, UV Smart is gearing up to support healthcare providers across Europe and beyond in the transition to UV-C disinfection technology that is validated, efficient and future-ready. We are ready to work with hospitals, device-manufacturers and procurement teams to implement compliant systems based on this new standard.
We invite any healthcare institution, procurement team or medical-device supplier to reach out to UV Smart to explore how UV-C technology aligns with NEN 8281:2025can enhance operational efficiency, safety and sustainability.
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