The advantage of the ÆGIS Microbe Shield® trademark
Quality The “Protected by The ÆGIS
Microbe Shield®” logo is recognized on Other benefits of the ÆGIS Microbe Shield QA Program include: Assurance labels of major brand name manufactur- ers of socks, sporting equipment, • Assures proper use of ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology Program undergarments, clean room environ- ments, building products, medical goods and numerous other consumer goods. • Increases market share and provides higher profit margins Using the “Protected by The ÆGIS • Maintains the credible, high value of Microbe Shield” on your product the ÆGIS Microbe Shield label labeling gives your customer verification of quality that’s missing when you simply • Creates trust between buyer and seller refer to a generic antimicrobial benefit or • Provides product differentiation, ÆGIS Means create a name for the feature. The ÆGIS Microbe Shield trade- assures the quality of the technology by name, and promotes increased demand Solutions mark is granted exclusively to manufac- turers who properly treat their products • Provides proven technology, quality assurance, and support data that with the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technol- protects your company ogy. Following the ÆGIS Microbe Shield Quality Control and Quality Assurance Bromophenol Blue (BPB) binding Programs, this mark is provided to assays. retailers as their assurance that a product has been properly treated. We A unique feature of the ÆGIS offer a standard quality assurance Microbe Shield technology is the standard as outlined here, or we will Bromophenol Blue binding assays. This The mark of work to customize your own standards takes only a few minutes and a sink to verify proper application of the ÆGIS quality, durability according to your specifications. Microbe Shield technology during ÆGIS Environments offers design & excellence. assistance to create a unique product tag production. Also, a buyer can use this assay to see the otherwise invisible or will work in adapting a current tag antimicrobial feature at work on the using the ÆGIS Microbe Shield trade- products they offer. mark/logo. Standard ÆGIS Microbe Shield hang tags are available in limited The BPB binding assays, both direct quantities. stain and extraction, are a quick, qualitative and quantitative color test which visually indicates the presence of Why is the Quality Assurance Program the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology. It important and what are the benefits? verifies that a particular It is important to ensure all treated production lot has been properly treated substrates that bear the ÆGIS trademark and the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technol- or logo pass all Quality Assurance ogy is present. The blue scale used is standards of the Program. Adherance to customized in the qualification process a QA Program will enhance your (step one) and is based on the product, credibility and show a high degree of process, and intended end-use claims. It diligence to your customer. It assures the also verifies the uniformity of a specific manufacturing facility of proper and cost treatment. Our customer will be pro- effective treatment. This assurance of vided instructions required to perform proper treatment and desired perfor- this simple test at the mill or at the retail mance will prevent product loss and location. customer dissatisfaction associated with microbial problems. BPB Test at Manufacturer The applicator is required to MINIMUM RECOMMENDED IDENTIFICATION: perform the Bromophenol Blue (BPB) binding assay on each production lot of antimicrobially treated material. A simple record of these BPB tests on production lots will be maintained and available for an ÆGIS review upon Antimicrobial Finish: AEM 5700 Antimicrobial, request. Additionally, run sheets will EPA #64881-1, ÆGIS Environments, Midland, MI, USA indicate the source of the AEM 5700/ 5772 by lot number and handling Treated with AEM 5700 Antimicrobial, EPA #64881-1, ÆGIS Environments, Midland, MI, USA method (concentrate, diluted material, etc.) quarterly accompanied by the Sample Quality Assurance Program Standards Evaluation Request (Form 6A10). Failure to submit samples for testing will A Quality Assurance Program terminate the ability to use the ÆGIS Step One: assures that application is at correct and trademark or name. at cost effective levels. The quality Qualification assurance standards for the ÆGIS After you have completed your Microbe Shield Program are product production manufacturing trials specific specific and developed in close commu- to Quality Assurance testing, the Sample Step Two: nication with the customer. Focusing on the products, processes, claims, and end- Evaluation Request is to be submitted with samples. It is necessary to submit Property Rights uses provide the minimum criteria that a one treated sample and one untreated sample has to reach to be able to claim sample that will be used as a control. Agreement “Protected by The ÆGIS Microbe Submit 10 grams (minimum) of each Shield”. Qualification plant runs are sample to the laboratory at ÆGIS made after required laboratory testing. Environments. The Sample Evaluation Step Three: These qualification runs provide a basis Request form is to be submitted with the retailer and/or brand name included for for establishing specific quality assurance Submit Samples criteria for the customer. our records. Each sample will be analyzed by the appropriate test methods and include Step Four: Verification, Testing & Step Four: consistent compliance under the follow- Analysis ing test parameters: Verification & • The antimicrobial activity: Production Submitted samples will be analyzed using appropriate industry test methods Analysis samples must achieve a pre-agreed as outlined by the QA criteria. These upon reduction of Escherichia coli test methods include ASTM E2149-01, (70% to 99.99%) under specific testing which verifies the antimicrobial activity of the sample, and BPB direct stain and Step Five: conditions using the ASTM E2149-01 (dynamic shake flask) method or other extraction assays, which confirm unifor- Certification industry appropriate ÆGIS corporate mity and intensity of treatment. Based on the substrate or product, the sample test methods. must pass these test methods after five • The uniformity and level of the (5) washings. The samples will be treatment: Every part of the sample classified as pass or fail according to the must be treated at the qualified levels. pre-established criteria. ÆGIS Labora- The uniformity and treatment level tories will provide written notification of must be checked by the Bromophenol results to customer within two weeks of Blue (BPB) direct stain and extraction receiving the samples. The customer assay or other industry appropriate test will have 30 days to take corrective methods. actions, if required. Not taking correc- tive action will revoke the rights to use Step One: Product Qualification the ÆGIS trademark or name. ÆGIS Laboratories International or an ÆGIS Certified Laboratory, performs Step Five: Certification product qualification tests. This allows After successfully passing the ÆGIS to develop and establish quality Quality Assurance standards and criteria assurance criteria that satisfy the claims as established by ÆGIS Environments, a and standards specific to each customer. Certification will be awarded yearly to the qualifying location. This Certifica- Step Two: Property Rights Agreement tion is available to provide a written A trademark license is signed by record of compliance with the Quality ÆGIS Environments and by the cus- Control/Quality Assurance Program. tomer. This agreement grants a personal, nonexclusive license to use the trade- mark, subject to quality assurance and usage requirements.
Step Three: Submit Treated Samples
To insure success of the ÆGIS Microbe Shield treatment, samples of each treated product must be submitted ÆGIS Environments for verification. The customer will 2205 Ridgewood Drive · Midland, MI 48642 USA submit a minimum of 10 gram of a (989) 832-8180 · Fax (989) 832-7572 treated sample and one control (un- www.aegismicrobeshield.com treated) sample to the ÆGIS laboratory Form 4G6 Rev. 052007