The World Federation of Hospital Sterilization Services (WFHSS) is the meeting place for national and regional non-profit sterilization societies, stimulating cooperation and the exchange of information and best practices.

The 2011 World Sterilization Congress was held in Portugal at the Estoril Congress Centre and was one of the most successful ever, with over 900 participants from 48 countries around the world.

More than 40 companies were present in the approximately 2,000m2 exhibition area, demonstrating the sector's great representativeness.

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The World Sterilization Congress took place in Portugal at the initiative of the National Sterilization Association (ANES).

ANES is a private non-profit association, founded in December 1997, following the sterilization course of the European Sterilization Society, held at the former Institute for Informatics and Financial Management in Health and aimed at nurses from the Sterilization Services.