The Importance of ISO 23907-1:2019 - Sharps Injury Protection
The Importance of ISO 23907-1:2019 - Sharps Injury Protection
The ISO 23907-1:2019 is a globally recognised standard that provides comprehensive guidelines for the design, construction, and performance of single-use sharps containers. Sharpsafe® was among the first manufacturers to achieve compliance with this standard when it was first introduced in 2012 and played a pivotal role in updating it in 2019.
Sharps management is critical for ensuring safety in healthcare and community settings, particularly where needles, syringes, and other sharps are frequently used. ISO 23907-1:2019 sets the minimum safety requirements for sharps containers, addressing essential features such as puncture resistance, leak prevention, and clear labelling. By choosing sharps containers that adhere to this standard, healthcare facilities and waste management providers can significantly reduce the risk of needlestick injuries, which expose workers and patients to over 20 potential bloodborne pathogens1.
With increasing pressures on healthcare procurement teams to lower costs of consumable products combined with a need for more sustainable options there is a problematic trend of new containers emerging in the market place without these standards. This blog explores the importance of ISO 23907-1:2019 in promoting safe sharps management and risks of having equipment that doesn’t meet this standard.
What is ISO 23907-1:2019?
Sharps management plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment, especially in healthcare settings where the use of needles, syringes, and other sharps is prevalent. To address the need for standardised procedures and safety measures, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed ISO 23907 in 2012.
The primary objective of ISO 23907 is to enhance sharps safety by setting specific minimum requirements for sharps containers. These requirements include features such as puncture resistance, leak resistance, and appropriate labelling. By adhering to these guidelines, healthcare facilities can significantly minimise the risk of accidental needlesticks and sharps injuries.
By 2019, the standard was split into two parts. Part 1, ISO 23907-1:2019 was designed specifically for the conditions a single-use container should meet. Part 2, ISO 23907-2:2019 was designed specifically for reusable sharps containers and highlights the additional cleaning standards and additional penetration resistance to ensure the container is safe throughout its lifetime.
The Growing Concern of Non-Certified Products
When originally introduced in 2012, the ISO standard superseded the BS 7320 Specification for Sharps containers. This standard is now classified inactive2. Unfortunately, there are still containers within healthcare that celebrate conforming to this inactive standard. This standard has a considerably lower penetration resistance and was never intended for reusable containers. It is a concerning sign that manufacturers are not meeting containers that will guarantee the best possible safety for healthcare workers.
In a 2015 study, Dr. Terry Grimmond identified that there were 500 container penetration injuries to healthcare workers in the USA per year3. These containers met the BS 7320 standard for penetration resistance which was 12.5N. Due to this research, the ISO 23907-1:2019 rose the minimum penetration resistance to 16N, with an average of 18N.
The healthcare sector is witnessing a rise in non-certified sharps containers marketed as cost-effective or environmentally friendly. However, these products often fail to meet the rigorous safety standards set by ISO 23907-1:2019, potentially putting healthcare workers, patients, and waste handlers at significant risk.
Why ISO Certification Matters for Sharps Containers
ISO 23907-1:2019 is more than just a guideline—it is a safeguard. It represents a consensus among global experts, ensuring that sharps containers meet stringent safety requirements to protect users in every healthcare setting, regardless of location. Without this certification, containers may lack critical features like puncture resistance or secure labelling, leading to potential hazards.
Globally, needlestick injuries are one of the most common occupational hazards healthcare workers face4 and as a result it is critical that ISO certified containers are utilised.
ISO 23907-1:20195 outlines specific conditions that sharps containers must meet to comply with the standard. Here are some key requirements mentioned in the standard and how Sharpsafe® containers comply with them:
· Puncture Resistance: Under ISO 23907 the force needed to penetrate sharps containers shall be a minimum of 16 N (Newtons of force) and an average of 18 N or greater for single-use containers. Through rigorous internal testing our average puncture resistance exceeds 20 N across our entire range. We have engineered our containers to meet all sharps containers standards across the world and as some standards require higher puncture resistance, we’re proud to say we exceed the minimum puncture resistance for ISO.
· Resistance to leakage after dropping or toppling – Sharps containers should be designed to prevent leakage of fluids or hazardous materials, even if they are dropped or knocked over. Thanks to our additional features like our safety shield, our containers have added protection in the event of an accident that stop the contents from escaping and potentially causing harm.
· Clearly visible fill line – All containers must have one visible fill line to prevent overfilling and injury. On the majority of our containers our fill line is printed onto the lid of the container. This ensures consistency across every single container per size that we manufacture. If the fill line is printed on a label, there is a chance that a sticky label could be placed in the incorrect place.
· Capacity – The ISO state that the capacity of the container “shall be at a level no greater than 85%.” This is to create a safe space between the aperture of the container and the fill line to further reduce the risk of injury should a hand go inside the aperture. With the design of Sharpsafe® containers, the fill line is on the base of our lids giving users a clearly visible dead space to further prevent overfilling.
· Handle – The ISO state that all containers, except pocket size containers, should have one or more handles. Unlike our competitors our containers are moulded into the design of our products. We’ve also created accessories like our SafeClip bracket to help utilise space and further aid the stability of our sharps bins.
· Labelling – All sharps containers must have adequate labelling and the ISO outline what must be printed on the label. This information includes warnings, clearly stating the container is single-use only, an indication of the fill line and information on where the product is manufactured. To ensure our labels can never be removed, we use in-mould labels on the majority of our containers. This manufacturing process completely secures the label, making it virtually impossible to remove or damage.
· Instructions for use – Finally the ISO guidelines emphasizes the importance of training healthcare personnel in sharps management and safe disposal practices. It encourages organisations to provide comprehensive training on the proper use of sharps containers, sharps handling techniques, and waste disposal protocols. We provide a range of free training posters, CPD-accredited courses on both sharps prevention and waste management and face to face training through our key account managers.
Safeguarding Healthcare Workers with ISO 23907-1:2019
The ISO 23907-1:2019 standard is more than a benchmark—it is a vital safeguard for healthcare workers, patients, and waste management personnel. By establishing stringent minimum requirements, it ensures that sharps containers perform effectively under real-world conditions, minimising the risk of needlestick injuries and the potential transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
As pressures mount to cut costs or prioritise sustainability, the importance of adhering to ISO-certified containers cannot be overstated. Non-certified products may seem like attractive alternatives but often fall short of the rigorous standards needed to ensure safety. Substandard containers compromise the wellbeing of healthcare professionals and the wider community, undermining efforts to maintain the highest standards of care.
At Sharpsafe®, we are committed to exceeding ISO 23907-1:2019 standards to provide reliable, innovative solutions for sharps disposal. With advanced design features like superior puncture resistance, secure labelling, and user-friendly training resources, our containers lead the way in promoting safety and compliance.
Choosing certified products is not just a regulatory decision—it is a responsibility. By opting for ISO-compliant sharps containers like those in the Sharpsafe® range, healthcare facilities affirm their commitment to protecting their staff, patients, and the environment. Together, we can build a safer future, ensuring that safety and sustainability go hand in hand without compromising on quality.
References
1 - HSE (no date) Gov.uk. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/needlesticks/overview.htm (Accessed: January 22, 2025).
2 - British Standards Institution [BSI] (1990) BSI – BS7320 Specification for Sharps Containers, BSI [online]. Available at: BSI - BS 7320 - Specification for Sharps containers | GlobalSpec (Accessed: 22 January 2025)
3 – Grimmond, T. (2015) Too many sharp injuries from punctured containers – why?, Terry Grimond. [online]. Available at: container penetration | Terry Grimmond (Accessed: January 22, 2025)
4 - Hosseinipalangi Z, Golmohammadi Z, Ghashghaee A, Ahmadi N, Hosseinifard H, Mejareh ZN, Dehnad A, Aghalou S, Jafarjalal E, Aryankhesal A, Rafiei S, Khajehvand A, Ahmadi Nasab M, Kan FP. Global, regional and national incidence and causes of needlestick injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. East Mediterr Health J. 2022 Mar 29;28(3):233-241. doi: 10.26719/emhj.22.031. PMID: 35394056.
5. International Organisation for Standardisation [ISO] (2019) ISO 23907-1:2019 Sharps Injury Protection – Requirements and Test Standards – Part 1 Single-use Sharps Containers, ISO [online]. Available at: ISO 23907-1:2019 - Sharps injury protection — Requirements and test methods — Part 1: Single-use sharps containers (Accessed 22nd January 2025).
