GB/T 45204-2025Guideline for environmental cleaning and disinfection in pet business premises (English PDF)

1 Scope

This document gives guidance on the management of the system, the basic rules, the preparatory work, the implementation and the special circumstances for environmental cleaning and disinfection in pet business premises.

This document applies to the cleaning and disinfection of the premises of pet shops, pet play areas, pet clinics, pet training establishments, pet shows and other pet businesses.

2 Normative references

This document has no normative references.

3 Terms and definitions

The following terms and definitions apply to this document.

3.1 pet business premise: place used for the conduct of business by an operator whose main object of service is pets, or for whose business activity pets are a necessary condition.

3.2 environment: walls, floors and the surfaces of articles, utensils, instruments and installations in pet business premises.

3.3 cleaning: process of removing soil by physical or chemical means. Note: soil includes inorganic and organic matter, such as dirt, dust and organic material.

3.4 cleaner: preparation used for cleaning the environment, having a soil-removing action.

3.5 disinfection: process of killing pathogenic micro-organisms by physical, chemical or biological means so that they are rendered harmless.

3.6 disinfectant: preparation used to kill pathogenic micro-organisms so that the requirements for disinfection are met.

4 Management of the system

The following are given for the management of the system for cleaning and disinfection work: a) establish and maintain an organizational management structure and a set of rules for environmental cleaning and disinfection, with the responsibilities of departments and staff made clear; b) set out the cleaning and disinfection requirements for the different zones of the premises according to the nature of the business and the risk level of environmental contamination; c) draw up a suitable work plan, choose and use cleaners and disinfectants correctly, and state the working requirements clearly; d) organize induction training and regular and occasional training for staff, so that they can carry out and implement the work plan effectively; e) organize quality audits of cleaning and disinfection and supervise them effectively, so that the quality of cleaning and disinfection continues to improve; f) have a contingency plan for cleaning and disinfection in the event of an incident, and be able to implement it effectively when an incident occurs.

5 Basic rules

5.1 Draw up standard operating procedures and a work plan according to the nature of the premises and the requirements of the business, covering the workflow for cleaning and disinfection, the times and frequencies of work, the names of the cleaners and disinfectants, their working concentrations, how they are made up, their contact times and how often they are replaced.

5.2 Take personal protective measures when carrying out cleaning and disinfection, attend to hand hygiene throughout, and attend to personal hygiene when the work is finished.

5.3 Follow the principle of cleaning first and disinfecting afterwards, and use wet cleaning methods.

5.4 Choose a suitable cleaner according to the state of the environment and the type and degree of contamination, and use it in accordance with its instructions.

5.5 Use cleaning tools zone by zone and mark them by colour. Cloths and floor mops of microfibre material are advised.

5.6 Choose an effective disinfectant according to the kinds of pathogen that may be present and their resistance, and use disinfection products in accordance with their instructions.

5.7 Where there is no visible contamination, disinfectant wipes may be used for cleaning and disinfection together.

5.8 Disinfectants at high concentration are not advised for routine disinfection.

5.9 Where body fluids, blood, excreta or secretions from pets contaminate the environment during the work, spot cleaning and disinfection are to be carried out at once.

5.10 For surfaces that are touched frequently, are easily contaminated or are hard to clean and disinfect, such as computer keyboards and treatment tables, barrier protection may be used; the covering used as a barrier, such as plastic film, is to be replaced after each use.

5.11 The user of a piece of equipment or instrument is responsible for its routine cleaning and disinfection after use, and is to instruct the cleaning staff in the cleaning and disinfection of clinical equipment and instruments.

5.12 When cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces of precision instruments and equipment, refer to the instructions for the instrument, pay attention to the compatibility of cleaners and disinfectants, and choose suitable cleaning and disinfection products.

6 Preparatory work

6.1 Division into zones. The different parts of the premises are divided into zones according to the level of contamination: a) zones of low contamination, in which pets essentially do not pass through or stay only briefly, such as staff areas, the pharmacy and administrative areas; b) zones of medium contamination, through which ordinary pets pass and where their body fluids, excreta and secretions may contaminate the environment, such as the reception area, the grooming area and the boarding area; c) zones of high contamination, through which sick pets pass, and zones where a high degree of cleanliness is required, such as the treatment area, the surgical area, the inpatient area and the isolation area.

6.2 Preparation of cleaning supplies. 6.2.1 Cleaners: choose the appropriate cleaner according to actual needs. 6.2.2 Cleaning tools: these include cloths, floor mops and mop handles, water containers, rubber gloves and cleaning trolleys.

6.3.1 Disinfectants. The choice of the common disinfectants is given in Table 1. That table sets out, for each class of disinfectant, its disinfection level and its activity against vegetative bacteria, tubercle bacilli, spores, fungi, lipophilic (enveloped) viruses and hydrophilic (non-enveloped) viruses. Chlorine-based disinfectants and peroxides are classed as high level and are marked as effective against all six groups. Iodine compounds and alcohols are classed as intermediate level; both are marked as effective against vegetative bacteria, tubercle bacilli, fungi and lipophilic viruses and as ineffective against spores, and alcohols are in addition marked as ineffective against hydrophilic viruses. Quaternary ammonium compounds are classed as low level, marked as effective against vegetative bacteria, fungi and lipophilic viruses and as weak or ineffective against tubercle bacilli, spores and hydrophilic viruses. A note explains that a plus sign means that the chemical disinfectant at its normal concentration and in normal use achieves killing of the micro-organism and a minus sign means weak or no killing action, and that some double long-chain quaternary ammonium compounds are intermediate level disinfectants.

6.3.2 Disinfection tools: these include spray bottles, disinfection guns, disinfection trolleys and disinfectant wipes.

6.4 Preparation of protective equipment. Protective equipment is chosen according to the contamination zone, as given in Table 2. That table sets out, for each of the three contamination levels, whether working clothes, gloves, dedicated shoes or overshoes, a mask, an isolation gown or waterproof apron, goggles or a face shield, and a cap are needed, using marks that stand for required, optional or according to the requirements of the zone, not required, and, for masks, a surgical mask or an N95 mask. A second note states that all of the above personal protective items are to be worn when handling contaminated material such as body fluids, blood, excreta and secretions from pets, when handling medical waste and when making up disinfectant solutions.

7 Implementation

7.1 Management of cleaning and disinfection in zones of different contamination. Cleaning and disinfection are managed at different grades according to the contamination zone, as given in Table 3. Zones of low contamination are given the cleaning grade, worked by wet cleaning and disinfection once or twice a day, with the criterion that the zone is clean, dry, free of dust, soil, debris and odour. Zones of medium contamination are given the hygiene grade, worked by wet cleaning and disinfection twice a day, with a cleaner used as an aid, and the criterion that the total colony count in the zone is below 10 colony forming units per square centimetre, or that the natural flora is reduced by at least one log. Zones of high contamination are given the disinfection grade, worked by wet cleaning and disinfection more than twice a day, with a cleaner used as an aid, and the same acceptance criterion. A first note requires spot cleaning and disinfection to be carried out at once wherever body fluids, blood, excreta or secretions from pets contaminate a zone. A second note requires environmental cleaning and disinfection to be carried out immediately after clinical activity in each area of a veterinary establishment.

7.2 Disinfection methods. The common disinfection methods are given in Table 4, which sets out for each product the working concentration of the active ingredient, the contact time, the method of application, the range of application and the points requiring attention. Sodium hypochlorite is given at 400 mg/L to 700 mg/L for more than 10 min, applied by wiping and mopping, against vegetative bacteria, tubercle bacilli, fungi and lipophilic viruses, and at 2000 mg/L to 5000 mg/L for more than 30 min against all bacteria including spores, fungi and viruses; it is irritant to people and pets, corrosive to metal, bleaches fabric and fur, and its killing effect is much reduced by organic soil. Chlorine dioxide is given at 100 mg/L to 250 mg/L for 30 min against the first group and at 500 mg/L to 1000 mg/L for 30 min against all bacteria including spores, fungi and viruses, applied by wiping and mopping; it is corrosive to metal and much affected by organic soil. Peracetic acid at 1000 mg/L to 2000 mg/L for 30 min by wiping, and hydrogen peroxide at 3 % for 30 min by wiping, both act against all bacteria including spores, fungi and viruses, and both are irritant, corrosive to metal and bleaching to fabric and fur. Povidone iodine at 0.2 % to 0.5 % for 5 min by wiping acts against bacteria other than spores, and against fungi and viruses; it is used mainly on sampling bottles and on the surfaces of some medical instruments, is corrosive to articles of divalent metal, and is not to be used on silicone urinary catheters. Medical alcohol at 70 % to 80 % for 3 min by wiping acts against vegetative bacteria, tubercle bacilli, fungi and lipophilic viruses; it evaporates readily and is flammable, and is not advised over large areas. Benzalkonium bromide at 1000 mg/L to 2000 mg/L for 15 min to 30 min by wiping and mopping acts against vegetative bacteria, fungi and lipophilic viruses, and is not advised for use together with anionic surfactants such as soap or washing powder. Automated hydrogen peroxide fogging equipment, applied by fogging, and ultraviolet irradiation are both used according to the product instructions against contamination by drug-resistant bacteria and other pathogenic micro-organisms, and ultraviolet irradiation is not advised where people or pets are present. Disinfectant wipes are used according to the product instructions for routine disinfection, the disinfectant being chosen according to the characteristics of the pathogen, and a wipe is advisedly discarded once it is soiled or leaves no wet trace.

7.3 Routine maintenance of the premises. The following are given as the main management objectives for routine maintenance: a) the storage area for cleaning and disinfection tools is defined and clearly marked, is well ventilated and is kept dry; b) articles, utensils, instruments and equipment are put away as soon as they are used, are stored in order, are clean and tidy, and can be cleaned and disinfected at any time; c) staff maintain good hygiene habits and follow the requirements for personal hygiene and personal protection.

7.4 Work records. Cleaning and disinfection records include the date, the place, the method, the name of the disinfectant, its manufacturer, its approval number, its batch number, its concentration and the quantity used, the method of disinfection and the signature of the person carrying out the work. Cleaning and disinfection records are kept for more than two years.

8 Cleaning and disinfection measures in special circumstances

8.1 Routine measures. The measures for cleaning and disinfection are as follows. a) Articles, utensils, instruments and equipment that come into direct contact with pets during business activity, and in particular during clinical activity, such as examination tables, infusion tables, treatment tables and grooming tables, are cleaned and disinfected after each use. b) Articles, utensils, instruments and equipment that come into indirect contact with pets during business activity, and in particular during clinical activity, such as tool boxes, storage cabinets and material bins, are cleaned and disinfected regularly; soaking solutions are changed regularly, and items in use are clearly separated from those not in use and are clearly marked. Used medical instruments are first decontaminated, then sorted, soaked, washed, rinsed and dried, and then disinfected or sterilized. c) When cleaning and disinfecting areas that are in deep contact with pets, such as boarding areas, inpatient areas and walking areas, the work proceeds from top to bottom, from inside to outside and from lightly contaminated to heavily contaminated. Where several pets share an area, the work is carried out unit by unit. d) Where the environment has been contaminated by body fluids, blood, excreta or secretions from pets, the contamination is first removed with an absorbent material and then disinfected with a disinfectant chosen according to the characteristics of the pathogen involved. e) Waste produced during clinical activity is disposed of promptly. Used single-use medical items, waste water discharged and waste material are rendered harmless promptly in accordance with the relevant provisions. f) Quality assessment of environmental cleaning and disinfection is carried out, with attention to contamination by pathogens capable of causing an outbreak of infection.

8.2 Reinforced measures. 8.2.1 Reinforced cleaning and disinfection measures are advised in the following cases: after a pet suffering from an infectious disease such as feline panleukopenia or canine distemper has been received for treatment; and where multidrug-resistant organisms, such as resistant Staphylococcus aureus or resistant Escherichia coli, are detected in the environment. 8.2.2 The reinforced measures are as follows: put in place isolation measures against contact, droplet and airborne transmission; and increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection, choosing the disinfectant and the disinfection method according to the type of pathogen.