Hygienic design testing at the Centre for Hygienic Design

Enable manufacturers to evaluate hygienic design and cleanability of process equipment at an EHEDG-authorised testing laboratory.

The Centre for Hygienic Design provides hygienic design testing and technical knowledge related to the cleanability of process equipment used in the food, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Testing is conducted in an EHEDG-authorised testing laboratory, where the hygienic design and cleaning performance of components can be evaluated under defined conditions.

Testing, validation and knowledge sharing

Testing is typically relevant during equipment development or when manufacturers need documented insight into how equipment performs during cleaning procedures. The centre also supports customer-tailored cleanliness validation, provides knowledge on food contact materials (FCMs), and offers courses on hygienic design and product safety.

Target group and benefits

Support manufacturers, engineers and quality teams with documented hygienic design testing of process equipment

Equipment manufacturers

The Centre for Hygienic Design works with manufacturers of process equipment to be used in hygienic production systems. Activities include evaluation of component cleanliness, cleanliness testing and testing for EHEDG certification of process equipment. The centre can also provide technical input during the design phase, for example, through CFD analysis of closed process systems and consultancy on requirements specifications and project flows.

Food products and biotechnology

Companies producing food products or working in biotechnology often require identification of requirements for the hygienic design of production equipment and process systems. The centre supports cleanliness validation and evaluation of hygienic operation and maintenance practices, as well as technical assessments related to product safety.

Pharmaceutical production

In pharmaceutical production environments, hygienic design principles support aseptic processing and controlled cleaning procedures. The Centre for Hygienic Design can contribute to testing related to cleanliness validation and evaluation of hygienic operation and maintenance practices used in pharmaceutical process systems.

Consultants and system suppliers

Engineering consultants and system suppliers may use the centre when hygienic design considerations must be incorporated into project planning and process system design. Testing and technical input can support validation of hygienic design principles during equipment development or system implementation

Expert Hygienic Design Support

Book a meeting with our experts to discuss your hygienic design needs—from equipment testing and validation to design support and certification.

Use cases

Pre-evaluation of hygienic equipment design

Testing may be performed during the development of process components to evaluate how design features influence cleanability. Observations from testing help development teams understand how equipment performs during industrial cleaning procedures.

Documentation of cleanability

Cleanability testing can provide technical documentation describing how equipment behaves during cleaning operations. Test reports describe testing conditions and observations that may be included in internal documentation, technical evaluations or certification.

Investigation of cleaning performance

Testing can be used when companies need to investigate the cleaning behaviour of specific components and eqipment details. Controlled evaluation allows organisations to examine whether residues remain after cleaning procedures.

Evaluation of modified components

When process equipment is modified, hygienic design testing can be conducted to assess whether the updated design maintains comparable cleanability characteristics.

Facility specifications

Hygienic design testing in an EHEDG-authorised laboratory under controlled conditions to evaluate the cleanability of process equipment

Cleanability testing of process equipment

Testing focuses on evaluating how process equipment responds to defined cleaning procedures. Controlled tests allow observation of whether residues remain after cleaning and whether design features influence cleaning behaviour.

Monitoring of cleaning-in-place (CIP) procedures

The facility can evaluate the efficiency of cleaning-in-place (CIP) processes used in closed process systems. Observations from evaluation activities describe how cleaning parameters influence equipment cleaning performance. It's part of the expertise area Food safety, hygienic design and regulation.

Evaluation of materials in contact with food

The centre provides technical knowledge related to materials in contact with food and their interaction with hygienic design and cleaning processes.

Facility setup

Configure hygienic design testing, based on equipment type and defined cleaning procedures

Testing arrangements can be configured to match the design and function of the equipment being evaluated. Components such as valves, fittings, and pipe sections can be installed in test setups that represent their intended use in process systems.

Cleanability testing according to EHEDG principles

Testing setups are arranged according to EHEDG cleanability testing approaches where applicable. This ensures that testing conditions align with recognised hygienic design evaluation methods.

Evaluation during development or investigation

Testing configurations can support evaluation of both prototype components and existing equipment requiring investigation of cleaning behaviour.

Standards

Supports EHEDG guidance and testing methods as well as ASME BPE recommendations for hygienic process equipment.

EHEDG – European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group

EHEDG is an international organisation that develops guidelines and testing methods for hygienic design of process equipment. At the Centre for Hygienic Design, testing is conducted in an EHEDG-authorised laboratory following these principles to evaluate the hygienic design and cleanability of hygienic process equipment under defined test conditions.

ASME BPE guidance for hygienic process equipment

Evaluation activities may reference guidance from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Bioprocessing Equipment standard (ASME BPE), particularly regarding components used in hygienic process systems. This includes evaluating gaskets and coupling functionality in relation to steam sterilisation (SIP) and cleaning (CIP).

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Reach out to Alan Friis for more information.