Advancing UV Germicidal Efficacy Measurement: Metrology, Standards, Data and Protocols

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) invite you to their jointly hosted workshop: “Advancing Ultraviolet (UV) Germicidal Efficacy Measurement: Metrology, Standards, Data and Protocols”, March 18 – 20, 2025, in-person, in Washington DC at the American Geophysical Union Conference Center.  

The purpose of this workshop is to advance measurement protocols, data, and standards focusing on UV sensitivity of microorganisms in air and on surfaces. 

Specific goals are to: 

1. review the state-of the-art for determining germicidal UV (GUV) microorganism inactivation behavior,
2. identify sources of variability and gaps in current data, 
3. discuss critical actions needed to achieve repeatable, high confidence data for inactivation behavior, and
4. develop a path towards publishing data and standards for these actions.

A special emphasis throughout the series of invited talks, plenary sessions, moderated panels, and focused breakout sessions will be placed on identifying critical metrology needs and associated action plans for the benefit of pandemic preparedness and response, improved  public health, and enhanced  economic vitality from  healthy communities.

Why have this workshop?

The need for this workshop evolved  from the on-going, strong collaborative effort between NIST and the UV industry, academia, other government agencies, and the public health sector to identify the drivers, challenges, and successes to deploy GUV technologies in the built environment for pathogen abatement.  The event aims to bring experts together to foster collaboration and innovation on the topic of data quality , and performance criteria for the GUV sensitivity of microorganisms.  

Measurements, data, and standards to determine GUV inactivation values with high confidence  are essential.  While this data  is available, confidence and comparability in the results is severely limited by the lack of harmonization in testing protocols. There is a substantial need for a community review, discussion, and consensus building on measurement protocols, results interpretation, and standards for GUV inactivation values.

This meeting offers a chance to refocus our collective vision, strengthen professional bonds, and shape the standards and technologies that will guide our community of practice forward. Please mark your calendars and share this event page with your collaborators.