Detailed information on products
In hygienic risk areas, disinfectants are indispensable and thus also part of public procurement in hospitals, nursing homes, but also kindergartens or schools. The WIDES database is an industry-independent information system and is (further) developed and operated within the framework of the ecological procurement programme “ÖkoKauf Wien”. WIDES offers comprehensive guidance for the whole of Austria and beyond in the procurement of effective disinfectants that are as gentle as possible for users and the aquatic environment. Detailed information on individual products can be accessed free of charge on the Internet. Only disinfectants that have undergone testing and certification by independent institutions and whose sufficient effectiveness is given are listed. A hazard-based colour code makes it possible to make particularly problematic substances and formulations visible at a glance. This labelling makes it possible to quickly and easily select products that have a minor impact on health and the environment.
The WIDES database also has international resonance:
In 2017, the WIDES project received an “Honourable Mention” at the Procura Plus Awards of the global city network ICLEI and the EU Commission published information on the database as a positive case study for responsible procurement.
The European Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) has awarded WIDES as a case study for optimal employee protection. It is also officially recommended in a handbook by the WHO and ILO.
And finally, the database was used in the SAICM 2.0 project to advise 40 hospitals internationally on the purchase of disinfectants or to select specific products for substitution. The Bureau for Chemical Engineering TB-Klade has been advising the working group from the beginning and has played a major role in the consultation.
The WIDES assessment is based on the precautionary principle, it is most comparable to assessment models for occupational health and safety and does not compete with risk assessments. The aim is to compare products with identical application. For example, products for hand disinfection, wiping surface disinfection or manual instrument disinfection are compared with each other.