Antiseptics and disinfectants are antimicrobial drugs with special uses. Since they have high toxicity properties, they are not applied systemically. The main difference between the two is the application areas. Antiseptics are generally antimicrobial drugs applied to the skin in living things. Disinfectants are, in general, antimicrobial drugs that are applied to inanimate objects, for example medical devices or hospital environments. These drugs are used to eliminate or reduce the number of undesirable microorganisms in the environment.

Antiseptics are used for the treatment and prevention of skin infections, cleaning microorganisms in areas where medical intervention is required, or cleaning hands before medical interventions.

The greatest effect of antiseptics and disinfectants is that they disrupt the nature and DNA structure of microorganism proteins. In addition, microorganisms oxidize structural and functional molecules and disrupt the chemical structure.

The inorganic compounds used for antiseptics and disinfectants are: acids and alkalis, oxidants, heavy metals and salts and chalky substances. Organic compounds used for antiseptics and disinfectants are: organic metal compounds, denlloers and alcohols, detergents, gas disinfectants and paints.

Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics are also analyzed in authorized laboratories within the scope of microbiology tests. Authorized laboratories comply with the standards published by domestic and foreign organizations in these studies. The standards on which chemical disinfectants and antiseptics are based are as follows:

• TS EN 1276 Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension assay for the assessment of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, household and institutional areas - Test method and specifications (step 2, step 1)
• TS EN 1650 Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Evaluation of fungal growth or fermentation in chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and industrial areas - Test method and properties (phase 2, step 1)

These standards include minimum properties and test methods for bactericidal and fungal action of chemical disinfectants and antiseptic products that are homogeneous and physically stable when diluted with water.