BS EN 14065 is the standard for controlling biocontamination in laundry-processed textiles. It describes the RABC system — Risk Analysis and Biocontamination Control — which lets a laundry continuously ensure the microbiological quality of processed textiles. It is modelled on HACCP food-safety principles and is central to healthcare linen hygiene.
What is BS EN 14065?
BS EN 14065:2016, "Textiles — Laundry processed textiles — Biocontamination control system", describes the Risk Analysis and Biocontamination Control (RABC) approach. It enables laundries to continuously ensure the microbiological quality of processed textiles — the assurance that linen leaving the laundry is hygienically safe for use.
What is the RABC system?
RABC is modelled on HACCP food-safety principles. It works by identifying the microbiological hazards at each step of the laundry process, assessing and classifying the risk, applying control measures, setting microbiological target levels, monitoring, and taking corrective action when limits are exceeded — all underpinned by a Prerequisite Programme (PRP) of good hygiene practices.
How does RABC link to the NHS?
NHS England's HTM 01-04 (Decontamination of linen for health and social care) references BS EN 14065. This ties laundry biocontamination control into the wider healthcare-hygiene framework, alongside the NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness and CQC infection-control requirements.
Who needs RABC and BS EN 14065?
Any laundry processing healthcare or care-setting textiles — bed linen, towels, workwear — where microbiological quality matters. For care providers, choosing a laundry and linen service that works to BS EN 14065 is part of demonstrating infection-control diligence to CQC and the wider IPC Code of Practice.