A Guide to The Society of Internationalsustaining growth for Antimicrobial Articles

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The Society of International Sustaining Growth for Antimicrobial Articles website
The Society of International Sustaining Growth for Antimicrobial
Articles (SIAA) has created an oﬃcial website that presents
accurate antibacterial, antifungus, and antivirus information; theantibacterial, antifungus, and antivirus products that play anactive role around us; and information about SIAA activities, inan approachable format. The website also provides useful
information for living a safe and healthy life.
Access the website here:

https://www.kohkin.net/en̲index.html
SIAA en̲home“KOHKIN”

Made in Japan, becames a global standard

Antibacteria
is safety
Ｓociety ofＩnternational sustaining growth for
Ａntimicrobial
ＡrticlesA Guide to The Society of International sustaining growth for Antimicrobial Articles

How are Antibacteria,
Sanitization, and Bacteriocide
diﬀerent?

Why antibacteria issafety for people
and the environment

Do you know the diﬀerences between bacteriocide, sanitization, andantibacteria?
A bacteriocide kills a speciﬁc bacterium, while a sanitization removes or
reduces the number of bacteria. In contrast, an antibacterial stops thegrowth of bacteria, neither killing nor removing them. Whatʼs importantis to have an approach that uses each according to the purpose andusage situation. If bacteria need to be removed immediately, then abacteriocide or sanitization product will be eﬀective, but antibacteriathat donʼt remove or kill bacteria are easy on humans and theenvironment, and are playing important roles in our everyday lives.

Antibacteria quietly protect
our lives while coexisting wellwith bacteria in nature.
The more we ﬁnd out about them,the more we realize that
antibacteria is

The role of indigenous
bacteria that protect
the skin and body
There are actually various bacteria, called indigenous
bacteria that exist inside the human body and on the skinsurface. However, it is not the case that these are all
harmful to health or hygiene. For example, the epidermal
staphylococcus and acne bacillus that inhabit the poresin the skin play important roles by suppressing themultiplication of highly pathogenic staphylococcus aureus
by maintaining the slight acidity of the skin. Cleaning theskin excessively with chemicals containing strong
sterilizing capacity reduces the epidermal staphylococcus
bacteria in the scaly layer of the skin, and brings about
the multiplication of staphylococcus aureus in their place.
The important thing is not to remove (disinfect) the
bacteria, but to maintain balance in the bacterial habitat.

human-and eco-friendly.

“Coexisting with bacteria”
The SIAA concept is that antibacteria only suppresses the growth ofbacteria, not kills them. The idea rooted in Japanese culture ofcoexistence with bacteria and the long track record in Japan are widely
accepted overseas, and it is expected that “antibacteria” transmitted
from Japan will contribute to a safe, secure and comfortable life. I will.

Considerthe relationshipbetween people
and bacteria
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Antibacteria is deeply rooted in Japanese culture

What is Kohkin?
Inhibiting bacteria for a long period is referred to as antibacteria.
It is distinguished from pasteurization and eradication, which
temporarily kills and eliminates bacteria.

“Antibacteria” means “suppresses the multiplication of bacteria on the surfaces of products.” Inrecent years, the term itself is starting to be used anew, but you can trace back through Japaneseculture to ﬁnd an antibacteria example in the wisdom of our ancestors. A representative example is theworldʼs oldest wooden structure -- Horyuji Temple. The Japanese cypress used in the building has an
antibacterial eﬀect that has been a major factor protecting the structure from microorganisms inJapanʼs high-temperature, high-humidity climate for 1,200 years. Japanese culture has protected thehealth and livelihoods of its people while skillfully exploiting, and sometimes controlling, the naturalenvironment, including microorganisms and bacteria. Based on this culture, and guided by the concept
of coexistence with bacteria, the Society of International Sustaining Growth for Antimicrobial Articles(SIAA) is working to disseminate antibacterial products that people can use with peace of mind and to
distribute information.
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A Guide to The Society of International sustaining growth for Antimicrobial Articles

Theyʼre here, too

Antibacterial
products
in our lives［Appliances］
Antibacterial treatment is applied todiﬃcult-to-clean parts of air conditioners,
humidiﬁers, ventilation fans and electric
fans, where bacteria are likely to
proliferate, as well as items that tend to be
touched by people on a daily basis, such as
remote controls for televisions and lights.

［Toilet, sink］
Antibacterial treatment is applied to toilet
items, including toilet seats and sanitaryware in general, as well as shower toilets,
paper wrappers, hand dryers, jet towels,and handrails.

［IT, smartphones］
Many products, including glass protectiveﬁlms for smartphones and tablets,
smartphone cases, mobile batteries, andLAN cables, undergo Antibacterial
treatment.

［Building materials］
A wide range of antibacterial products,
such as ﬂooring, wallpaper, tiles, decorative
boards, and other building materials, door
handles and handrails, carpets, ﬂoor mats,washing machine pans, racks and storage
cabinets, are being provided.

［Other uses］
Antibacterial products in the kitchen

A wide range of antibacterial processing is applied to kitchen utensils that areprone to bacterial growth and have a direct relation to human health.
Antibacterial products are used extensively for such familiar items as cuttingboards, accessories around the sink and sponge products, tableware andchopsticks, wrapping ﬁlms and foils, lunch boxes, storage containers, and gloves.

Correctly understanding antibacterial products

Antibacterial agents are classiﬁed into two main groups: organic antibacterial agents (hinokitiol,
catechin, etc.) and inorganic antibacterial agents (silver, titanium, activated charcoal, etc.). Organic
antibacterial agents and inorganic antibacterial agents each have their own marked characteristics̶
the former are quick-acting but only active for short durations, while the latter are slow-acting but
remain active semi-permanently. Currently, a variety of antibacterial products exist in our lives, fromthe kitchen/sanitary area to stationery, building materials, IT products, and vehicles. To date, theexpansion of the ﬁeld of antibacterial products to this extent was driven by the creation of inorganic
antibacterial agents.
Inorganic antibacterial agents were developed in the early 1990s. The main features of inorganic
antibacterial agents are low irritation and high safety. Furthermore, they are not only highly heat-resistant, but also do not lose their antibacterial properties even after undergoing resin processing forming
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In addition, antibacterial products arebeing provided for a wide range of oﬃce
supplies such as ballpoint pens,
calculators, and bar code scanners;
escalator belts; ink for printed materials
such as books and pamphlets; petproducts; and medical and nursing careproducts.

under intense heat, and therefore, they have rapidly expanded the ﬁelds of use for
antibacterial products.
At the same time, while from the standpoint of the ordinary consumer, increasing needs
for antibacteria and sanitization are bringing about a boom, that fact is that understanding of antibacteria and sanitization is vague. It is diﬃcult to understand what kinds ofpart are antibacterial treated. Furthermore, since “bacteria” are invisible, how muchantibacterial eﬀect they have. SIAA, which was launched in 1988, called for proper
recognition of antibacteria (an approach aimed at suppressing bacterial growth andcontrolling the bacterial environment at an appropriate level), as well as setting guidelines for eﬃcacy and safety, and brought about the use of the SIAA Mark, which recognizes products that meet certain criteria. The SIAA Mark is a symbol of safety and reliability
that consumers can understand.

Images of bacteria growth
on antibacterial andnon-treated products
E. coli (non-treated) ‒After 24 hours

E. coli(immediated after contact)
E. coli（treated）-After 24 hours

5A Guide to The Society of International sustaining growth for Antimicrobial Articles

Mold grows in places
we canʼt see

What are antifungus products?

Antivirus products

Molds breed everywhere in buildings, including bathrooms and kitchens, furnitureand home appliances, and inside wall fabric and ﬂoors, causing allergic disease andother harm to human health and damaging buildings and furniture. The incidence ofmold is particularly high in condominiums, which are exceedingly airtight, and it isdiﬃcult for the humidity to escape outside. When condensation is seen on a window,
then it's time to suspect unseen mold growth. To maintain a hygienic living environment, it is important to make proper use of antifungus products. In particular,
regarding the strength of the antifungus function, it is necessary to accurately evaluate
safety according to the place of use and use it properly. At SIAA, we carry out authorization via the Antifungus SIAA Mark, while evaluating and inspecting the safety andappropriate usage concentration of antifungus products and antifungus agents, tocontribute to the improvement of hygiene and comfort in living environments.

Interest in Inﬂuenza virus, Norovirus, Coronavirus and other pathogenic viruses thatcause diseases is growing in society at large. At the same time, the fact that many
viruses are spread from person to person through contact and droplets is now widely
recognized, and we now pay closer attention to the familiar things we touch than weused to. As demand for antivirus products increases, antiviral agents that reduce virus
counts are being developed by various companies and research institutions, andantivirus treatment is also on the way for products in our daily lives. In this environment, SIAA is carrying out eﬃcacy evaluations and safety inspections of antivirus
products based on the latest research ﬁndings, and is working to widely promoteawareness through certiﬁcation and registration using the Antivirus SIAA Mark.
Creating guidelines for security and safety required in the age to come is our solemn
obligation.

Products that suppress the growth of speciﬁc molds and meet SIAA
standards are called “antifungus products.” Nowadays, antifungus products
have been created across a variety of categories, including cutting boards
used in kitchens, leather goods, the interiors of air conditioners and air
puriﬁers, house building materials, and even pet products.

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Stopping the spread
before it starts

Products treated so as to reduce viruses on the product are called antivirus
products. They have the eﬀect of reducing the number of speciﬁc viruses andallow the product to maintain a certain level of cleanliness. They are useful inthe creation of hygienic environments and are utilized for public spaces andobjects that are frequently touched by an indeﬁnite number of people.

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A Guide to The Society of International sustaining growth for Antimicrobial Articles

The SIAA Mark is
proof of safety and reliability

Antibacterial Evaluation Test

SIAAʼs Activities〜Working as an interface between the consumer and industry〜

What is the Antibacterial SIAA Mark?

This is an antibacterial symbol established by the Society ofInternational Sustaining Growth for Antimicrobial Articles(SIAA) that is displayed on products recognized as meeting the
SIAAʼs independently established criteria for being “antibacterial,” “safe”, and “appropriately labeled.”

Antibacterial agents
manufacturers

Antibacterial products
manufacturers

Antibacterial productswith the SIAA MarkManagement

Consumers

Antibacterial testing
agencies

Antibacterial: It has been conﬁrmed a bacteria growth rate that is 1/100 orless that of the surface of a product that has not been subjected to
antibacterial treatment, and conﬁrmed as retaining its antibacterial eﬀect
even after a durability test. Antibacterial properties are judged based on the
results of tests conducted according to the international standard ISO22196.

Consumer groups
Experts

Safe: It conforms to safety requirements independently established by SIAA.

AdviceSociety of International sustaining

Information disclosure/Internet

growth for Antimicrobial Articles

Government

Appropriately labeled: The type of antibacterial agents and the area oftreatment are clearly indicated.
* Only SIAA members can use the SIAA Mark. Strict market surveillance is being conducted
regarding proper use of display methods via self-management by the SIAA.

SIAAʼs Activities
SIAA antifungus products

About the Antifungus SIAA MarkAn SIAA-registered antifungus
products. Such a product candisplay the SIAA Antifungus markand is made public on the SIAA
website along with the name of thecompany that manufactures the
product.

This is the antifungus symbol established by SIAA. It can bedisplayed on products that meet the following criteria.
Antifungus: It has been conﬁrmed that the growth of a speciﬁc mold is
suppressed more than the standard, compared to the surface of a productthat has not undergone antifungus treatment. This test complies with JIS andis judged based on the results of the SIAA testing method.
Safe: It conforms to safety requirements independently established by SIAA.
The antifungus agents used can be those listed on a Positive List of
antifungus agents whose eﬀects, safety and usage restrictions have been
examined in advance.
Appropriately labeled: The registration number of the antifungus products or
antifungus agents and the treated part must be clearly indicated. By
searching for the registration number on the SIAA website, one canimmediately see which kind of agent is used.

About the Antivirus SIAA MarkThis is an antivirus symbol established by SIAA. It can bedisplayed on products that meet the following criteria.
Antivirus: It has been conﬁrmed a virus count that is 1/100 or less than that of
the surface of a product that has not been subjected to antivirus treatment,
and conﬁrmed as retaining its antiviral eﬀect even after a durability test.
Antivirus properties are judged based on the results of tests conductedaccording to the international standard ISO21702.

SIAA antifungus agents

Anti Fungus Agents
Listed on
the Positive List

An SIAA-registered antifungus
agents. It is published on the SIAA
Positive List and made public alongwith the companyʼs name.
Application requires maintenanceof safety data, etc.

The Society of International Sustaining Growth for Antimicrobial Articles is an organization that was established by
antibacterial, antivirus, and antifungus agents manufacturers,
various processed product manufacturers, and antibacterial
examination and evaluation bodies for the purpose ofdisseminating antibacterial, antivirus, and antifungus
processed articles that can be used in appropriate and safe
ways.
While listening to a wide range of opinions from not only theindustries involved in antibacterial, antivirus, antifungus
processed products, but also consumer representatives,
experts, and government, we maintain rules related to quality
and safety required of antibacterial products, and grant
approval for the display of the SIAA Mark on products thatcomply with these rules.

We have established the following for the purpose of popularizing excellent antibacterial and antivirus products, andantifungus processed products.
Voluntary standards for quality and safety
Voluntary registration rules for data concerning quality and safety
Regulations concerning labeling and terminology for antibacterial products
and antibacterial agents
Operational regulations for the SIAA markRules for those responsible for the management of antibacterial products andantibacterial agentsRules for antibacterial testing supervisors
Operational regulations for the antifungus agents Positive List

To promote transparency and fair promotion by industry, andto raise awareness among consumers and related industries,
we are developing the following activities.
Establishing an experts' committee for the improvement of antibacterial
products comprised of consumer groups, experts, and government
representatives, and operating a socially open organization
Conducting market research into antibacterial products
Promoting information exchange with industry organizations
Holding lectures, seminars, and social gatherings
Working with the International Biodeterioration Research Group (IBRG)
Disseminating various information through our website

Safe: It conforms to safety requirements independently established by SIAA.
Appropriately labeled: The type of antivirus agents and the treated part areclearly indicated.

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A Guide to The Society of International sustaining growth for Antimicrobial Articles

How to Join the SIAA

To all who agree with the aims of the
SIAA

The Society of International Sustaining Growth for Antimicrobial Articles, which works toward the objectives of sounddevelopment and public awareness among consumers
regarding antimicrobial articles, welcomes the membership ofa wide range of companies and organizations, both in Japanand overseas, who agree with our society's aims. Membershiptypes include regular member (corporate entities that
manufacture or sell antibacterial products or antibacterial
agents), supporting member (antibacterial test evaluation
organizations, industrial associations, etc.), and associate
member (corporate entities that have plans to sell antibacterial products or antibacterial agents and wish to obtainknowledge). To become a member, you need to meet theadmission conditions and submit the admission materials(except for associate members, explained separately).

Advantages of membership
Those who voluntarily register antibacterial agents andantibacterial products are able to display the internationally-recognized SIAA Mark (regular members only).

Participate in the creation of world-leading rules for antibacteria.

Quickly obtain useful global-scale antibacterial-related
information.

Interact with domestic and overseas antibacterial -relatedcompanies and pick up new business opportunities.

SIAAʼs globally expanding area ofactivities and Antibacterial products
Path to Membership

1

Develop product(s)Antibacterial agents, antibacterial products, antifungus agents, antifungus products, etc.

2Consider membership3

Prepare test data

Contact us from the inquiry contact page on the SIAA website to let us
know that you would like to join. We will tell you in detail how to join.

[Antibacterial agents] Conduct an antibacterial performance test and asafety test.
[Antibacterial products] Conduct an antibacterial performance test
after water resistance and light resistance pretreatment at a JNLA
accredited testing laboratory. Also, please conﬁrm the safety data ofantibacterial agents.
[Antifungus agents] Perform antifungus performance test and safety test.
[Antifungus products] Perform a fungus resistance test. (You must usean antifungus agents listed on the Positive List.)

4

Membership application

5

Screening

Prepare the required application documents, including product registration data and membership application form, and submit them to the
SIAA oﬃce.
Application forms can be found on the application page of the SIAA
website.

After receiving the application documents, the board of directors will
review applications at a membership deliberation meeting. *Screening
takes about one week.

6

Acceptance

SIAA will send the received documents together with notiﬁcations ofacceptance.

Regarding membership types, membership fees, entrance requirements, application procedures, etc., please visit the
SIAA website. Materials required for membership can also be downloaded.

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Use of the SIAA Mark began in 1998. In 2000, the JapaneseIndustrial Standard “JIS Z 2801 antibacterial products-Test for
antibacterial activity and eﬃcacy” was established under theguidance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In
2007, it was approved as the international standard ISO
22196. With the approval of ISO, which has 157 member
countries worldwide from Asia to Europe and the Americas,
the SIAA Mark is ready to spread widely to overseas markets,and antibacterial products, which have become indispensable
in the lives of people who desire hygiene and health, willfurther increase their value to the world.

Initiatives for Globalization

While antibacterial products are products that are developedin Japan, we believe that they will also contribute to qualitative
improvements in living environments and hygiene overseas. At
SIAA, we are actively holding international conferences andseminars covering topics that include the eﬃcacy of antibacterial products, evaluation methods, and our own certiﬁcation
system, in order to educate health institutions, researchers,
and industry
personnel in othercountries. SIAA-sponsored international
exhibitions are also
being enthusiastically held in China,
South Korea,
Vietnam, Taiwan, andExhibit at Cool Japan World Trial Exhibition 2014
other Asianin Vietnam, sponsored by the Ministry of Economy,
countries.
Trade and Industry Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Overview of the Society of International
Sustaining Growth for Antimicrobial Articles
Society of International sustaining growth for
Antimicrobial Articles

5F, NK Bldg. 2-11-14 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
151-0053 Japan
TEL. 03-6302-0021

Access the website here:

https://www.kohkin.net/guide.html

The SIAA Mark is recognized as an ISO
international standard

SIAA guide

FAX. 03-6302-0071

Japan-China-South Korea
trilateral conference (related
to the establishment of aninternational antibacterialorganization)
Shanghai, China

ISO International Meeting
New Delhi, India

Operating Philosophy
SIAA aims at the development of a healthy antibacterial industry, andwith an awareness of improving the safety and lives of consumers
who use antibacterial products, is conducting activities based on thefollowing four concepts.

Contribute to the improvement of quality of life from the consumerʼspoint of view.
Provide antibacterial products that have low environmental impact andenable humans to coexist with microorganisms.
Disclose information on safety and quality.
Work to popularize the correct usage of antibacterial products.

*The above philosophy uses the expression “antibacterial products” but SIAA is also making
eﬀorts to popularize antifungus and antivirus products, and will thoroughly adhere to thesame concept for these as well.

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