Abstract: Indicator (22) for process challenge devices (PCDs) to monitor sterilizing processes, comprising a plurality of indicator areas (50, 54, 58, 62, 66) which react with a sterilizing agent and which are arranged spaced apart on a common carrier element (18) in a longitudinal direction (70) of said carrier element (18), whereby said carrier element (18) is built tapered along its longitudinal direction (70).

Abstract: Process challenge device (2), especially for simulating the worst-case penetration conditions of a load inside a sterilization chamber, comprising a detector volume (90) for housing a biological, chemical or physical indicator (140), whereby said detector volume (90) is arranged at a dead end of a series of gas volumes (110, 14, 118), whereby said process challenge device (2) comprises two parts (6, 14), namely a housing part (6) and an insertion part (14), whereby said insertion part (14) is at least partially insertable into said housing part (6) in such a way that said detector volume (90) is arranged without any seal inside said both parts (6, 14).