ISO 23907-1:2019

Overview

ISO 23907-1:2019 - "Sharps injury protection - Requirements and test methods - Part 1: Single‑use sharps containers" sets design, performance and test requirements for single‑use sharps containers used to collect potentially hazardous medical sharps (e.g., hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpels, trocars). It applies to containers supplied complete by the manufacturer or as user‑assembled components. It does not apply to reusable sharps containers or to outer transport containers for filled single‑use units.

Keywords: ISO 23907-1, single-use sharps containers, sharps injury protection, sharps disposal, needle safety, medical waste.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and intent: Protect healthcare workers and waste handlers by specifying construction, closure, labelling and testing requirements for single‑use sharps containers.
• Aperture and closures: Containers must have integrally attached closure features, include both a temporary and a permanent closure, be safe to use without a second hand, and clearly indicate permanent vs temporary closure engagement.
• Resistance to penetration: Test methods (Clause 5.3) require a minimum penetration force of 16 N and an average of 18 N or greater against test specimens.
• Drop and toppling resistance: Specified drop (5.4) and toppling (5.5) tests ensure no leakage or breach of the sharps containment area; inspections are performed at least five minutes after each test.
• Container stability and handles: Containers intended for horizontal surfaces must not topple (5.1); handles (except for pocket collectors) must remain functional and not detach under test (5.2).
• Fill line and volume: A visible fill line is required and must be set at ≤ 85% of the container’s total volume to reduce overfilling risk.
• Design considerations: Base dominant colour should be yellow (unless local regulation dictates otherwise). Human factors and risk assessment (e.g., ISO 14971 principles) are recommended in design.
• Special cases: Pocket collectors (≤ 0.6 L) have limited exemptions for some requirements.

Applications and practical value

• Use ISO 23907-1 for product design, engineering and quality control of single‑use sharps containers.
• Helps manufacturers demonstrate compliance with internationally recognized safety performance and test methods.
• Guides procurement teams and healthcare facilities when selecting safe sharps disposal products.
• Enables testing laboratories and regulatory bodies to assess containment performance, penetration resistance, drop/topple robustness and labelling.

Who uses this standard

• Medical device manufacturers, R&D and design engineers
• Quality assurance and compliance teams
• Healthcare safety officers, infection control and procurement professionals
• Testing laboratories and accreditation bodies

Related standards

• ISO 7864 (sterile hypodermic needles)
• Guidance references human factors and risk assessment principles (ISO 14971)

By following ISO 23907-1:2019, stakeholders improve sharps disposal safety, reduce occupational sharps‑injury risk, and support regulatory and procurement requirements for medical waste containment.