DGSV guidelines instead of DIN – Your competitive advantage through modern water technology
Guidelines of the DGSV | Water treatment ambulatory clinics Shop
Why are DGSV Guidelines 17 and 18 superior to DIN EN 285?
-
Timeliness and Practical Relevance
The DGSV guidelines reflect the current state of technology – scientifically sound and practice-oriented. They consider the latest developments in water treatment and consistently align with the real requirements of modern CSSD, clinic, and practice environments. DIN EN 285 dates from its last edition in 2015 and has not been adapted to technological advances since then. Furthermore, it was originally written for central steam generator systems in boiler houses – not for the requirements of decentralized reprocessing units in healthcare. Its application to modern medical device reprocessing processes is therefore often technically inappropriate and technically outdated.
-
Focus on Application in Medical Device Reprocessing
Unlike DIN EN 285, which primarily formulates requirements for steam sterilizers, the DGSV guidelines specifically address the entire process chain of medical device reprocessing – with particular focus on water quality. This enables early identification of weak points and appropriate adjustment of water treatment. The decisive advantage of the DGSV guidelines also lies in their clear orientation toward patient care safety. By focusing on valid water quality throughout the entire reprocessing process, they actively contribute to risk minimization regarding infection transmission through damaged instruments or contaminated equipment technology. Thus, designing water treatment according to DGSV Guidelines 17 and 18 achieves a high standard in protecting patients and personnel. In times of increasing regulatory requirements and growing sensitivity to infection risks, this preventive approach is indispensable.
-
Flexibility and Individual System Assessment
The DGSV guidelines set clear limits where hygiene safety is essential: in medical device reprocessing. The limit values established in DIN EN 285, e.g., for silicate and conductivity, are now considered technically outdated and set too high. The DGSV guidelines define significantly lower maximum values for silicate and conductivity here, which are aligned with current practical insights and requirements for modern medical devices. These stricter guideline values effectively contribute to minimizing corrosion, deposit formation, and hygienic risks – thus placing patient safety and instrument value preservation at the center.
-
Competitive Advantage through Demonstration of State of the Art
By implementing the DGSV guidelines, operators of reprocessing units demonstrate their quality awareness and orientation toward the state of the art – a strong argument vis-à-vis regulatory authorities, auditors, and patients. Especially in times of increasing regulatory requirements, this is a clear competitive advantage.
DGSV Guidelines 17 and 18 enable healthcare facilities to design their water treatment efficiently, safely, and future-proof – far beyond what the outdated DIN EN 285 can achieve. Those investing in modern water technology today should not rely on yesterday’s standards, but on guidelines that meet current scientific and technical requirements.
Why DIN EN 285 is insufficient for water treatment in the CSSD
DIN EN 285 is a European standard that establishes requirements for large sterilizers for steam sterilization – focusing on technical design and performance testing of equipment. While it also contains specifications for the quality of feed water for steam generators, these values are not aligned with the specific requirements of medical device reprocessing in a CSSD.
Practice clearly shows: The limit values mentioned in DIN EN 285 – particularly for parameters such as silicate and conductivity – are set too high and are oriented toward requirements from industrial plant operation, such as in central boiler houses. For the hygienically safe and material-gentle reprocessing of sensitive medical devices, they are not sufficiently differentiated and do not provide an adequate basis for process safety in a CSSD.
In contrast, Guidelines 17 and 18 of the DGSV provide clear, application-oriented recommendations that specifically address the requirements for water treatment in the CSSD. They demand stricter limit values for silicate and conductivity, which demonstrably reduce corrosion risks, deposit formation, and hygienic uncertainties – thus setting the state of the art for water treatment in the medical field.
Relying solely on DIN EN 285 is therefore insufficient to meet the requirements for modern, safe, and validatable reprocessing in the CSSD. For operators, this means: Those who rely exclusively on DIN EN 285 are no longer acting in accordance with the current state of the art – and risk unnecessary deficiencies in hygiene audits and claims for damages in case of incidents.
Sustainability that pays off. Technology that lasts.
With water treatment according to DGSV Guidelines 17/18, you not only rely on the highest standards in water treatment for your CSSD, but also invest in sustainable efficiency. The optimized energy and water consumption, reduced chemical use, and significantly extended lifespan of your medical devices not only reduce your environmental impact – they also noticeably lower your ongoing operating costs. The result: Cost savings potential of 15 – 25% through reduced maintenance effort, extended equipment and instrument lifespan, and optimized energy use.
Your advantages of water treatment according to DGSV Guidelines 17 and 18
Advantage |
Description |
Maximum Equipment Compatibility |
Modern treatment protects against lime, corrosion, and failures |
Hygiene Safety & Standard Compliance |
Water quality meets DGSV Guidelines 17/18 – tested, documented, safe |
Economic Operational Safety |
Less maintenance, higher lifespan, lower risk of operational problems, reduction of costs for instrument management |
Future-proof System |
No retrofitting needed for new requirements – you are immediately presentation-ready and legally compliant |
More than technology: a safe system
With water treatment according to DGSV Guideline 17/18, you offer your customers not simply a product – but a solution with measurable added value. You enable:
- Technical safety, as equipment and instruments are protected, failures minimized, and operating costs (such as energy and maintenance costs) reduced.
- Hygienic safety, through stable, traceable water quality according to the most modern standards.
- Future viability, because your customers are already relying today on standards that will withstand future regulatory requirements.
HeylNeomeris – Your independent partner for safe, economical and sustainable water treatment
In implementing DGSV Guidelines 17/18, it’s not just about the right technology, but about thoughtful future-proof planning, efficient measures, and targeted project support. HeylNeomeris stands by your side as an independent consultant – manufacturer-neutral, solution-oriented, and with many years of experience in water treatment.
We accompany you from analyzing your current situation through measure planning to professional implementation, measure control, and training. Our experts support you in:
- identifying the right technology for your requirements
- integrating standard-compliant systems into existing processes,
- utilizing cost savings potential of 15 – 25% through reduced maintenance effort, extended equipment lifespan, and optimized energy use,
- and ensuring sustainable operation through resource-conserving systems.
Your advantage:
You receive an economically and technically sound solution that not only meets today’s requirements, but also functions safely, efficiently, and environmentally consciously in the long term.