Press releases

Black virus seal commends laundry machines and commercial dishwashers from Miele for top-class hygiene

Gütersloh/Nuremberg, April 25, 2023 No. 042/2023
  • Machines achieve 'Hygiene Quality Excellence' status

  • Safety functions and disinfection programmes convince jury

Following hard on the heels of the coveted golden virus seal of approval for meeting above-average hygiene standards outside the healthcare sector, the Institute for Integrative Hygiene and Virology has once again commended Miele technology intended for commercial operations: Washing machines and commercial dishwashers from the most recent generations now also receive the seal in black as a testimony to even higher standards.

This is awarded by experts as part of an independent survey on hygiene excellence by the Institute for Integrative Hygiene and Virology – InFluenc_H, for instance to Miele's Little Giants washing machine series with load capacities of between 6 and 8 kg and the new Benchmark Machines for loads of 12 to 20 kg. These machines deactivate more than 99.9% of all viruses at temperatures of 70°C or 75°C. To cater for applications in hygienically sensitive areas, these machines also feature thermal and chemo-thermal disinfection programmes offering a large margin of safety. These programmes for example lock once started in order to prevent the premature termination of the wash process. After the disinfection phase, no further water is taken in via the detergent dispenser, thereby significantly reducing the risk of recontamination.

The parameters crucial to disinfection are monitored continuously: If the water temperature drops on account of defective heater elements, the programme is immediately terminated and the display indicates an error. The temperature chart can also be monitored via the Miele MOVE online portal – and, depending on requirements, also includes the documentation of relevant data. If a washing machine is connected to a Miele dispensing system, correct volumes of process chemicals are guaranteed and early warnings are issued when canister levels are low.

A door lock also protects fresh water dishwashers from the MasterLine generation to prevent unauthorised access while a programme is running. Information on the parameters reached are displayed at the end of a programme. One model from this series already awarded the seal in gold has now additionally been granted the seal in black: The PFD 407 with its Vario TD programme offers thermal disinfection only otherwise familiar from the medical sector and even removes more than 99.99% of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses (including Corona, influenza and the Norovirus).

 

Company profile: Miele is the world's leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floor care products. Their product portfolio also includes dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications. Founded in 1899, the company has eight production plants in Germany, one each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China, Romania and Poland as well as two production plants belonging to its Italian medical technology subsidiary Steelco. Sales in the 2022 business year amounted to around € 5.43 bn. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries/regions. Throughout the world, the family-run enterprise, now in its fourth generation, employs a workforce of around 23,300, of which approx. 11,900 employees work in Germany. The company has its headquarters in Gütersloh in Westphalia.

 

Download as PDF Download incl. media (zip)
Your contact

Anke Schläger
+ 49 5241 89-1949
anke.schlaeger@miele.com

Media information

Description Download

With high wash temperatures and further functions, these machines provide maximum protection against all types of viruses: Washing machines from the current generation of Benchmark Machines have now been awarded the Virus Seal of Approval in Black. (Photo: Miele)

High Resolution JPG

This virus seal in black is awarded by the Institute for Integrative Hygiene and Virology – InFluenc_H to products which excel by offering the highest standards of hygiene. (Photo: Miele)

High Resolution JPG

Hygienically clean crockery protects against infection. The PFD 407 fresh water dishwasher has been awarded the Virus Seal of Approval in Black. It removes more than 99.99% of all enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. (Photo: Miele)

High Resolution JPG