Final answer:
The term 'sterilization efficacy' refers to the ability of a sterilizer, such as an autoclave, to achieve complete sterilization under actual conditions of use.
Step-by-step explanation:
With respect to rigid sterilization container testing, the term that defines the sterilizer's ability to sterilize under actual conditions is sterilization efficacy. This term encompasses the overall effectiveness of a sterilization process, including an autoclave's ability to eradicate all forms of microbial life, such as bacteria, viruses, and especially endospores, under the specific conditions that it will be used in practice.
Autoclaves use moist-heat sterilization, elevating temperatures above the boiling point to ensure complete sterilization. The testing of sterilization efficacy ensures that the equipment meets the necessary standards to be used safely in medical, laboratory, and food industry settings, where sterile conditions are imperative.