What ISO standard is relevant to the validation of steam sterilization processes?

ISO 17665, "Sterilization of health care products – Moist heat," is the primary ISO standard relevant to the validation of steam sterilization processes. ISO 17665 consists of two parts: ISO 17665-1 specifies the requirements for the development, validation, and routine control of moist heat sterilization processes for medical devices, and ISO 17665-2 provides guidance on the application of these requirements. This standard covers various aspects of steam sterilization validation, including equipment qualification, process development, performance qualification, and routine monitoring. It also addresses the use of biological indicators, temperature mapping, and other methods to demonstrate the effectiveness of the sterilization process. Compliance with ISO 17665 is often required by regulatory agencies to ensure that steam sterilization processes are reliable and effective in sterilizing medical devices.