Centre for Hygienic Design

The Centre for Hygienic Design provides hygienic design testing and technical knowledge related to the cleanability of process equipment used in the food, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Testing is conducted in an EHEDG-authorised testing laboratory, where the hygienic design and cleaning performance of components can be evaluated under defined conditions. 

Testing is typically relevant during equipment development or when manufacturers need documented insight into how equipment performs during cleaning procedures. The centre also supports customer-tailored cleanliness validation, provides knowledge on food contact materials (FCMs), and offers courses on hygienic design and product safety.  

Equipment manufacturers 

The Centre for Hygienic Design works with manufacturers of process equipment to be used in hygienic production systems. Activities include evaluation of component cleanliness, cleanliness testing and testing for EHEDG certification of process equipment. The centre can also provide technical input during the design phase, for example, through CFD analysis of closed process systems and consultancy on requirements specifications and project flows. 

Food products and biotechnology 

Companies producing food products or working in biotechnology often require identification of requirements for the hygienic design of production equipment and process systems. The centre supports cleanliness validation and evaluation of hygienic operation and maintenance practices, as well as technical assessments related to product safety. 

Pharmaceutical production 

In pharmaceutical production environments, hygienic design principles support aseptic processing and controlled cleaning procedures. The Centre for Hygienic Design can contribute to testing related to cleanliness validation and evaluation of hygienic operation and maintenance practices used in pharmaceutical process systems. 

Consultants and system suppliers 

Engineering consultants and system suppliers may use the centre when hygienic design considerations must be incorporated into project planning and process system design. Testing and technical input can support validation of hygienic design principles during equipment development or system implementation

Cleanability testing of process equipment 

Testing focuses on evaluating how process equipment responds to defined cleaning procedures. Controlled tests allow observation of whether residues remain after cleaning and whether design features influence cleaning behaviour. 

Monitoring of cleaning-in-place (CIP) procedures 

The facility can evaluate the efficiency of cleaning-in-place (CIP) processes used in closed process systems. Observations from evaluation activities describe how cleaning parameters influence equipment cleaning performance. 

Evaluation of materials in contact with food 

The centre provides technical knowledge related to materials in contact with food and their interaction with hygienic design and cleaning processes. 

Testing arrangements can be configured to match the design and function of the equipment being evaluated. Components such as valves, fittings, and pipe sections can be installed in test setups that represent their intended use in process systems. 

Cleanability testing according to EHEDG principles 

Testing setups are arranged according to EHEDG cleanability testing approaches where applicable. This ensures that testing conditions align with recognised hygienic design evaluation methods. 

Evaluation during development or investigation 

Testing configurations can support evaluation of both prototype components and existing equipment requiring investigation of cleaning behaviour.