Label consumables in the cleanroom clearly

The industrial consortium CSC is working on establishing a fixed set of rules for the cleanliness specifications of consumables in cleanrooms. (Source: Fraunhofer IPA, Photo: Rainer Bez)

Consumables such as special clothing, gloves, cleaning cloths, or packaging films are essential in cleanrooms. However, there are currently no uniform international regulations on how manufacturers test and label their products regarding cleanroom suitability. Led by the Fraunhofer IPA, the industry consortium "Cleanroom Suitable Consumables" (CSC) aims to develop a comprehensive specification and, building on that, establish an international regulatory framework. The next meeting will take place on December 15, 2015, in Stuttgart.

"Consumables in the cleanroom are part of the operating resources, come into contact with humans, and are often used only once," explains project manager and IPA scientist Frank Bürgen. This includes clothing such as coveralls, hoods, masks, or gloves, but also packaging and cleaning cloths. If particles or other contaminants are introduced into cleanrooms through these materials, it can have serious consequences. Industries where products come into contact with personnel and consumables are particularly affected. "For example, during manual handling, particles or germs can transfer to medical devices, or organic film substances can cause damage to satellites," the expert explains.

Assessment criteria and testing methods urgently needed

So far, there is no internationally recognized framework for uniform cleanliness specifications. "There are neither testing methods nor assessment criteria," criticizes Bürgen. Although VDI 2083 Part 9.2, as a national guideline, contains numerous recommendations for the first time, these need to be further refined and supplemented. Such a framework is urgently needed by the industry, as a survey of IPA scientists from 2014 shows. "The evaluation clearly indicated that end users demand greater comparability. Manufacturers and suppliers need this information to demonstrate the quality of their products," Bürgen summarizes the results.

In the CSC industry consortium, manufacturers, end users, and suppliers of consumables aim to jointly define measurement methods and evaluation systems with IPA experts. Furthermore, the consortium plans to develop new testing techniques with high practical relevance, enabling users to better select consumables based on technological processes. Subsequently, it is planned to submit an application for an international regulatory framework. "Since most manufacturers and end users operate worldwide, an ISO guideline is also needed in the long term," Bürgen explains.

Consortium aims to establish VDI and ISO standards

At the first working meeting on September 30, 2015, it already became clear which topics are particularly important to the consortium. "The companies want to include particulate, fibrous, film-forming, biological, and ionic contaminants and establish practical testing methods," reports the project leader. The next industry consortium meeting will take place on December 15, 2015. Companies involved as users or manufacturers of consumables in cleanrooms can join the alliance at any time and participate in the meeting.