Soaps and Cleaners
Soap, detergent, and cleaning solutions standards are published primarily by ASTM. The topics compiled here cover many facets of creating cleaners for many different applications, including soaps, laundry detergent, and industrial cleaners. Topics include manufacturing safety and potential hazards related to certain chemicals, ingredients, and content.
ISO 685:1975
Analysis of soaps -- Determination of total alkali content and total fatty matter content
The method consists in decomposition of the soap by a known volume of standard volumetric mineral acid solution, extraction and separation of the liberated fatty matter with light petroleum and determination of a total alkali content by titration of the excess of acid contained in the aqueous phase with a standard volumetric sodium hydroxide solution. After evaporation of the light petroleum from the extract, dissolution of the residue in ethanol and neutralization of the fatty acids with a standard volumetric potassium hydroxide solution. Evaporation of the ethanol and weighing of the soap formed to determine the total fatty matter content.
DIN EN 1276:2010
Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas - Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1); German version EN 1276:2009
This document specifies a test methode and the minimum requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation iwhen diluted with hard water or - in case of ready-to-use products - with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80% or less, as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and interfering substance.
DIN EN 1276:2019
Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas - Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1); German version EN 1276:2019
This European Standard specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with hard water or - in the case of ready-to-use products -with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80% or less, as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and interfering substance.This document applies to products that are used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas excluding areas and situations where disinfection is medically indicated and excluding products used on living tissues except those for hand hygiene in the above considered areas.
BS EN 1276:2009
Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. Test method and requirements (phase 2, s (British Standard)
This European Standard specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with hard water or - in the case of ready-to-use products - with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80 % or less, as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and interfering substance.
This document applies to products that are used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas excluding areas and situations where disinfection is medically indicated and excluding products used on living tissues except those for hand hygiene in the above considered areas. The following areas are at least included:
a) processing, distribution and retailing of:
1) food of animal origin:
- milk and milk products;
- meat and meat products;
- fish, seafood, and related products;
- eggs and egg products;
- animal feeds;
- etc.
2) food of vegetable origin:
- beverages;
- fruits, vegetables and derivatives (including sugar, distillery, etc.);
- flour, milling and baking;
- etc.
b) institutional and domestic areas:
- catering establishments;
- public areas;
- public transports;
- schools;
- nurseries;
- shops;
- sports rooms;
- waste containers (bins, etc.);
- hotels;
- dwellings;
- clinically non sensitive areas of hospitals;
- offices;
- etc.
c) other industrial areas:
- packaging material;
- biotechnology (yeast, proteins, enzymes, etc.);
- pharmaceutical;
- cosmetics and toiletries;
- textiles;
- space industry, computer industry;
- etc.
EN 14885 specifies in detail the relationship of the various tests to one another and to “use recommendationsâ€.
BS EN 1040:2005
Chemical disinfectants and antispetics. Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of basic bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. Test method and requirements (phase 1) (British Standard)
This European Standard specifies a test method and the minimum requirements for basic bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectant and antiseptic products that form a homogeneous, physically stable preparation when diluted with water. Products can only be tested at a concentration of 80 % or less as some dilution is always produced by adding the test organisms and water. This European Standard applies to active substances (antibacterial biocides) and to formulations under development that are planned to be used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional, medical and veterinary areas. It applies also to the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical antiseptics and disinfectants when appropriate standards are not available. NOTE 1 This European Standard does not evaluate the activity of a product for an intended use. NOTE 2 This method corresponds to a phase 1 test (Annex F).
SAE AMS 1450B-2018
Disinfectant (Insecticide), Aircraft
This specification covers insecticides for use in disinsection of aircraft as required on international passenger flights.
AAMI TIR67: 2018
Promoting safe practices pertaining to the use of sterilant and disinfectant chemicals in health care facilities
This technical information report (TIR) provides additional guidance to sterile processing managers and others regarding compliance with occupational safety and environmental regulations.
ISO 673:1981
Soaps -- Determination of content of ethanol-insoluble matter
The soap is dissolved in ethanol, filtrated and the undissolved residue is weighed. The constituents not dissolved correspond to the additives and foreign matter, of low solubility or insolubility in 95 % (V/V) ethanol, added to soaps and also to substances in all soap formulations, such as alkali carbonates and chlorides, borates, perborates, suphates, silicates, phosphates etc. It also may consist of organic substances like starches, dextrins, caseins, sugars, cellulose derivatives, alginates, etc.
ASTM D4009-92(2017)
Standard Guide for Foam Stability of Hand Dishwashing Detergents
1.1 This guide provides guidelines for several techniques of measuring the foam stability of light-duty hand dishwashing detergent products in the presence of artificially applied test-food soils. It is intended as a laboratory screening test to aid in the formulation of products, for quality control and as a basis between the formulator and supplier in standardizing foam stability of the detergents.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM D8179-18
Standard Guide for Characterizing Detergents for the Cleaning of Clinically-used Medical Devices
1.1 Detergents play a critical role in the cleaning of clinically-used medical devices, but there are few consensus methods for describing the key characteristics of these detergents. This guide identifies consensus standards, ASTM and others, used to characterize detergents in other applications, which can also be used to characterize detergents used to clean clinically-used medical devices.
1.2 In identifying these test methods, manufacturers of detergents can reference this guide to characterize their detergents.
1.3 By identifying applicable test methods, gaps may be identified where development of new standardized test methods need to be developed to characterize detergents intended to clean medical devices.
1.4 By identifying applicable test methods that are used and results reported by detergent manufacturers, test results can be shared and may lead in the future to development of performance criteria for the key characteristics of detergent.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 Exclusions:
1.6.1 This guide is not intended for detergents formulated to remove residues as a result of the manufacturing process.
1.6.2 This guide does not provide information related to disinfection or disinfecting agents that might be part of a detergent formulation.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM E2614-08
Standard Guide for Evaluation of Cleanroom Disinfectants
1.1 This guide identifies important factors to consider when selecting a disinfectant for use in a cleanroom or similar controlled environment and recommends test methods suitable for evaluating disinfectants. The proper selection of disinfecting agents combined with in-house qualification testing is a key element to a successful disinfection program. Recent publications of regulatory guidance/standards such as Chapter <1072>, “Disinfectants and Antiseptics” in the United States Pharmacopoeia address the issue of disinfectant testing but there is very little published guidance on what criteria and test methods should be used for selection and efficacy testing of disinfectants that will be used in cleanrooms and controlled environments.
1.2 An understanding of microbiology and microbiological techniques is essential. Knowledge in the following areas is recommended: microorganisms, antimicrobial products (disinfectants, sporicides, and decontamination agents), and the chemistry of disinfection, mechanism of activity of disinfectants on cells, application procedures, cleanroom surfaces, and environmental conditions within a cleanroom. This information is available in several published texts listed in the bibliography.
1.3 The theoretical basis for disinfectant activity is not addressed in this guide. An understanding of the effect of disinfectant concentration on microbial reduction (concentration exponent) and kinetics is desirable in determining the use-dilution of different disinfectants and in using dilution to neutralize a disinfectant for efficacy testing. USP chapter <1072> provides further information on this topic.
1.4 Although the information in this guide is written for the cleanroom environment, many of the principles outlined in this standard are applicable to manufacturing/processing environments outside of the cleanroom.
1.5 Evaluation of disinfectants for biofilm control is outside the scope of this document. The reader is referred to Guide E 1427
1.6 The values state in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
ASTM D1172-95(2007)
Standard Guide for pH of Aqueous Solutions of Soaps and Detergents
1.1 This guide covers the preparation of aqueous solutions of soaps and detergents and the determination of their pH.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.
ASTM D1172-95(2007)
Standard Guide for pH of Aqueous Solutions of Soaps and Detergents
1.1 This guide covers the preparation of aqueous solutions of soaps and detergents and the determination of their pH.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.
ASTM D1172-95(2001)
Standard Guide for pH of Aqueous Solutions of Soaps and Detergents
1.1 This guide covers the preparation of aqueous solutions of soaps and detergents and the determination of their pH.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.
ASTM D2248-01a(2018)
Standard Practice for Detergent Resistance of Organic Finishes
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the resistance to failure, in an accelerated manner, of organic finishes when immersed in a detergent solution.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM D1767-89(2017)
Standard Test Method for Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetate (EDTA) in Soaps or Synthetic Detergents
1.1 This test method covers the determination of ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) in soaps and synthetic detergents. Throughout this test method EDTA represents the hydrated disodium salt containing 2 moles of H2O. In the chemical literature this is frequently abbreviated to Na2H2Y4 · 2H2O.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.
ASTM D1767-89(2017)
Standard Test Method for Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetate (EDTA) in Soaps or Synthetic Detergents
1.1 This test method covers the determination of ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) in soaps and synthetic detergents. Throughout this test method EDTA represents the hydrated disodium salt containing 2 moles of H2O. In the chemical literature this is frequently abbreviated to Na2H2Y4 · 2H2O.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.
ASTM E1874-14
Standard Test Method for Recovery of Microorganisms From Skin using the Cup Scrub Technique
1.1 This test method is designed to recover microorganisms from the skin of human subjects or human subject surrogates (animal skin, isolated porcine skin, human skin equivalents, and other such surfaces).
1.2 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is required for these procedures.
1.3 It is the responsibility of the investigator to determine if Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is required.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ASTM D5806-95
Standard Test Method for Disinfectant Quaternary Ammonium Salts by Potentiometric Titration
This test method covers a potentiometric titration procedure for determining active matter in disinfectant quaternary ammonium salts. This test method is intended for the analysis of quaternary ammonium salts used as disinfectants, and only applies to the following commonly used quaternary ammonium salts: -alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (see Fig. 1), cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, and a blend of -octyldecyl dimethylammonium chloride, di- -octyl dimethylammonium chloride, and di -decyldimethyl ammonium chloride (see Fig. 2). Also, this test method can be applied to the analysis of disinfectant type products where the formula ingredients are known and the quaternary ammonium salt is one of the above. Interferences such as amines oxides and betaines present in disinfectant formulations were not tested. 1.2 This disinfectant quaternary ammonium salt conforms to the structures in Figs. 1 and 2. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary information, see Section 8.
ASTM D4008-95
Standard Test Method for Measuring Anti-Soil Deposition Properties of Laundry Detergents (Not Suitable for Detergent Ranking)
This test method provides guidelines for measuring the ability of detergents to prevent the deposition of soils from detergent solutions onto fabrics. It is intended as a laboratory screening test to aid in the formulation of detergent products, for quality control, and as a basis between the purchaser and seller in standardizing specific products' performance. 1.2 The anti-soil deposition performance of detergent products will vary greatly depending on the type of soils and fabrics used in the test. Therefore, selection of the soils, fabrics, reference detergents, and test conditions shall be made by agreement between the interested parties on the basis of experience. 1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material safety data sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.
ASTM D1681-05
Standard Test Method for Synthetic Anionic Active Ingredient in Detergents by Cationic Titration Procedure
1.1 Direct titration of an anionic surfactant with a standardized cationic reagent is a simple and convenient method for the quantitative determination of the content of active ingredient. The end point is detffected by the transfer of a colored complex from an organic solvent phase to an aqueous phase. The relationship between anionic and cationic agents is not always stoichiometric, and for maximum accuracy the anionic type of interest should first be characterized and then used to standardize the cationic reagent. In most cases, however, the different anionic surfactants likely to be encountered react in the same proportions. That is, a cationic titrating solution standardized against a characterized anionic agent can be used to analyze other anionics of known molecular weights.
1.2 This test method is applicable to alkylaryl sulfonates and fatty alkyl sulfates. Low results are obtained with alkylbenzene sulfonates having the alkyl chain length less than eight carbon atoms. Low results are also obtained for alkyl sulfates with the alkyl chain length of less than twelve carbon atoms. The anionic surfactants characterized in accordance with Sections should be the sodium salt and not amine, ammonium, or potassium salts. In case only amine or ammonium salts are available, they should be first converted to the sodium salt before proceeding with this analysis.
1.3 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:
| Sections | |
| Separation of Alcohol-Soluble Matter | 8 and 9 |
| Separation of Oil-Free Sulfonate | 10 and 11 |
| Determination of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Content | 12-17 |
| Characterization of Anionic Surfactant Standard: | |
| Part I. Determination of Surfactant, SO | 18-20 |
| Part II. Determination of Surfactant, SO | 21-24 |
| Standardization of Cationic Reagent | 25-29 |
| Quantitative Determination of Anionic Surfactant by Cationic Titration | 30-33 |
1.4This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific hazards statement, see Section .
ASTM D1681-92(1997)
Standard Test Method for Synthetic Anionic Active Ingredient in Detergents by Cationic Titration Procedure
Direct titration of an anionic surfactant with a standardized cationic reagent is a simple and convenient method for the quantitative determination of the content of active ingredient. The end point is detected by the transfer of a colored complex from an organic solvent phase to an aqueous phase. The relationship between anionic and cationic agents is not always stoichiometric, and for maximum accuracy the anionic type of interest should first be characterized and then used to standardize the cationic reagent. In most cases, however, the different anionic surfactants likely to be encountered react in the same proportions. That is, a cationic titrating solution standardized against a characterized anionic agent can be used to analyze other anionics of known molecular weights. 1.2 This test method is applicable to alkylaryl sulfonates and fatty alkyl sulfates. Low results are obtained with alkyl- benzene sulfonates having the alkyl chain length less than eight carbon atoms. Low results are also obtained for alkyl sulfates with the alkyl chain length of less than twelve carbon atoms. The anionic surfactants characterized in accordance with Sections 16 to 22 should be the sodium salt and not amine, ammonium, or potassium salts. In case only amine or ammonium salts are available, they should be first converted to the sodium salt before proceeding with this analysis. 1.3 The analytical procedures appear in the following order: Sections Separation of Alcohol-Soluble Matter 7 and 8 Separation of Oil-Free Sulfonate 9 and 10 Determination of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Content 11 to 16 Characterization of Anionic Surfactant Standard: Part I. Determination of Surfactant, SO3 Content, and 17 to 19 Solution Molarity Part II. Determination of Surfactant, SO3 and Active 20 to 23 Ingredient Contents Combining Weight, and Solution Molarity Standardization of Cationic Reagent 24 to 28 Quantitative Determination of Anionic Surfactant by Cationic 29 to 32 Titration
ASTM E2799-12
Standard Test Method for Testing Disinfectant Efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm using the MBEC Assay
1.1 This test method specifies the operational parameters required to grow and treat a Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm in a high throughput screening assay known as the MBEC (trademarked) (Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration) Physiology and Genetics Assay. The assay device consists of a plastic lid with ninety-six (96) pegs and a corresponding receiver plate with ninety-six (96) individual wells that have a maximum 200-μL working volume. Biofilm is established on the pegs under batch conditions (that is, no flow of nutrients into or out of an individual well) with gentle mixing. The established biofilm is transferred to a new receiver plate for disinfectant efficacy testing. The reactor design allows for the simultaneous testing of multiple disinfectants or one disinfectant with multiple concentrations, and replicate samples, making the assay an efficient screening tool.
1.2 This test method defines the specific operational parameters necessary for growing a Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, although the device is versatile and has been used for growing, evaluating and/or studying biofilms of different species as seen in Refs (1-4).
1.3 Validation of disinfectant neutralization is included as part of the assay.
1.4 This test method describes how to sample the biofilm and quantify viable cells. Biofilm population density is recorded as log10 colony forming units per surface area. Efficacy is reported as the log10 reduction of viable cells.
1.5 Basic microbiology training is required to perform this assay.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ASTM D460-91(2014)
Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Soaps and Soap Products
1.1 These test methods cover the sampling and chemical analysis of cake, powdered, flake, liquid, and paste soaps, and soap products.
1.2 The test methods appear in the following order:...
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 10. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.
ASTM D1569-05
Standard Test Methods for Detergent Alkylate
1.1 These test methods cover the various test methods that are applicable to alkylbenzene in order to evaluate those properties pertinent to the characterization of the alkylbenzene with respect to its suitability for desired uses. Note1—Detergent alkylate comprises alkylbenzenes prepared by varying processes, of varying alkyl chain configuration and length. The alkylate is sulfonated for surfactant use, the largest application being in detergent products. Careful control of detergent alkylate characteristics is desired, for along with sulfonation procedure, variations of the sulfonate can ensue that may result in either desirable or undesirable end-use properties.
1.2This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ASTM D501-03(2016)
Standard Test Methods of Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Alkaline Detergents
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the sampling and chemical analysis of inorganic alkaline detergents.
