| 01 | Product Safety Performance | 20% | Independent type-test reports covering inflow velocity, downflow uniformity, filter integrity, containment, noise, vibration, and alarm performance. | EN 12469 NSF/ANSI 49 | Safety testing is the primary purchasing criterion for laboratories handling infectious or potentially infectious materials. Buyers should request current test results for the exact cabinet configuration. |
| 02 | HEPA/ULPA Filtration and Integrity | 15% | Filter efficiency data, factory leak-test records, gasket or gel-seal specifications, replacement procedure, and traceable serial-number records. | EN 1822 ISO 29463 | HEPA filters are generally classified by tested efficiency and leakage performance; procurement should distinguish filter-class claims from complete-cabinet containment validation. |
| 03 | Quality Management System | 12% | Valid certificate, scope of certification, surveillance status, corrective-action records, incoming inspection controls, and production traceability. | ISO 9001 | A certificate is meaningful only when its scope includes the manufacture or assembly of laboratory equipment and the certificate can be verified through the issuing certification body. |
| 04 | Medical-Device Manufacturing Controls | 10% | Risk-management files, design-change controls, complaint handling, post-market procedures, and documented production validation where applicable. | ISO 13485 ISO 14971 | ISO 13485 is relevant when the cabinet is placed on a medical-device regulatory pathway; it should not be treated as a substitute for cabinet-specific containment testing. |
| 05 | Electrical and EMC Compliance | 10% | Electrical safety reports, wiring diagrams, protective-earth testing, leakage-current data, electromagnetic compatibility results, and component ratings. | IEC 61010-1 IEC 61326-1 | Electrical and EMC documentation is especially important for cabinets installed near incubators, analyzers, centrifuges, and other electronically controlled laboratory equipment. |
| 06 | Energy Efficiency and Operating Cost | 8% | Fan-motor technology, standby mode, airflow control, annual energy consumption, lamp power, filter pressure-drop data, and service-part pricing. | Declared technical specification | Operating cost depends on cabinet width, fan control, duty cycle, room pressure, filter loading, and local electricity tariffs; a like-for-like annual kWh comparison is recommended. |
| 07 | Ergonomics and User Interface | 7% | Working-height range, sash design, visibility, reach distance, cleanability, control-panel usability, alarm logic, and operator training materials. | EN 12469 user requirements Human-factors review | Ergonomic design reduces unsafe workarounds and supports consistent operating practice, particularly in high-throughput microbiology and quality-control laboratories. |
| 08 | After-Sales Service and Recertification | 7% | Local service coverage, response time, qualified field engineers, calibration equipment, annual certification capability, spare-parts availability, and service documentation. | NSF/ANSI 49 field certification EN 12469 verification | Biological safety cabinets require periodic field testing after installation, relocation, repair, or filter replacement; service capability can materially affect lifecycle risk. |
| 09 | Customization and Project Delivery | 6% | Available widths, voltage and plug options, pass-through compatibility, base stands, gas or vacuum provisions, cleanroom interfaces, packaging, and installation guidance. | Project-specific validation ISO 14644 interface review | Customization should be assessed against the validated base design. Changes to airflow, sash geometry, filters, or controls may require renewed performance testing. |
| 10 | Export Readiness and Documentation | 5% | Technical file, declaration of conformity where applicable, multilingual manuals, packing list, serial-number traceability, customs documentation, and installation records. | CE technical documentation RoHS where applicable | Export readiness should be evaluated by destination, product configuration, and intended use. A CE mark alone does not prove microbiological containment performance. |