How we compare
Every comparison page on SterilWorld — every "X vs Y", every filtered product list — is produced from the same rules, the same sources, and the same public record of what changed and why. This page is that record.
Four commitments
These hold for every comparison on the platform, without exception — it's why a comparison page here can be trusted.
Ranking isn't for sale
A comparison table's order is determined only by the rule-based criteria on this page — it never shifts based on RFQ volume, ad spend, or any commercial relationship with SterilWorld.
Affiliated services are shown separately, never blended in
If a supplier in a comparison is part of the ALF Consulting network, that's called out in its own, differently colored box — it never touches the ranking itself.
Missing data is marked, not hidden
A spec that can't be verified is marked "Awaiting data." It's never left blank and never guessed — a blank cell silently disadvantages a product, which is itself a form of bias.
Every change is on the record
When a criterion's threshold changes, the date and rationale are permanently logged below — nothing is deleted, only added.
Where the data comes from
Every field in a comparison table rests on one of these sources, each carrying its own level of verification.
| Source | Feeds | Typical status |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer technical data sheet | Core specs (capacity, cycle time, dimensions) | Partially verified |
| Third-party certification records | Certification and standards-compliance badges | Verified |
| Published standards (EN / ISO / FDA) | Standards-compliance lines, with direct citation | Verified |
| Unverified manufacturer claim | Any field without independent cross-check | Awaiting data |
How decision-criteria tags are set
Tags like "Fast cycle" or "Compact" are never written by a person or model reaching for persuasive language — they're derived mechanically from raw specs against a fixed threshold.
| Tag | Rule |
|---|---|
| Fast cycle | Standard unwrapped cycle time under 30 minutes |
| Low water use | Water consumption per cycle under 1.5 L |
| Compact | Footprint under 45 × 55 cm |
| Built-in data logging | USB or Ethernet cycle-log output available as standard |
Where ALF Consulting comes in
SterilWorld's editorial and comparison content is produced independently of ALF — here's how the two are kept apart.
If a manufacturer or supplier shown in a comparison is also part of ALF Consulting's Medical Device Export network, that relationship is disclosed in its own box, in ALF's own color — never inside the comparison table itself, and never as a ranking factor.
Changelog
The permanent record of every edit to comparison criteria or weighting — nothing here is ever deleted, only added.
Methodology page published
First publication, alongside the first "X vs Y" comparison template (MELAG Vacuklav 31B+ vs Tuttnauer T-Edge 11).
See how these rules play out in an actual comparison — MELAG Vacuklav 31B+ vs Tuttnauer T-Edge 11.
View the comparison