DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 2863  
First  Edition  
2022-mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 2863 : 202 2 
© UNBS 202 2  
  
Tampon  — Specification  
 
 
 
 DUS 2863 : 2022 
ii © UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2022  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: +256 41 7 333 2 50/1/2 
Fax: +256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  
 
 DUS 2863 :2022 
© UNBS 202 2 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Construction of tampons  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
4.1 Rectangle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  1 
4.2 Chevron:  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
4.3 Swiss roll  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  2 
4.4 Swiss cross  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  2 
5 Types of tampons  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 3 
5.1 Digital or non -applicator  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  3 
5.2 Applicator tampons  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  3 
6 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
6.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
6.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  4 
6.2.1  Absorbency  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  4 
6.2.2  Microbiological requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  4 
6.2.3  Requirements of the removal string  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4 
7 Instruction  leaflet  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 5 
8 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  6 
9 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  6 
10 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  6 
Annex  A (normative)  Absorbency test (Sy ngina test)  ................................ ................................ ...................  7 
Annex  B (normative)  Determination of water repellency of the withdrawal cord  ................................ ....... 9 
Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  9 
Annex  C (normative)  Determination of the pull strength of the withdrawal cord  ................................ ..... 10 
C.1 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  10 
C.2 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  10 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  11 DUS 2863 : 2022 
iv © UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under  the Ministry of Trade , Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda , as amended .  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) ;  
(b) a conta ct point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards ; and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT  Agreement  of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technica l 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a give n field or area and consists of key stakeholders 
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical C ommittee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
The committee  responsible for this document is Technical Committee UNBS/TC 3 15, Textiles and related 
products.  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  DUS 2863 : 202 2 
 
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  1 
 Tampon — Specification  
1 Scope  
This Draft Uganda Standard specifies  requirem ents, sampling  and test methods for tampons  
2 Normative references  
The followi ng documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 4074 , Natural rubbe r latex male condoms — Requirements and test methods  
ISO 18416, Cosmeti cs — Microbiology — Detection of candida albicans  
ISO 21150 , Cosmetics  — Microbiology — Detection of Escherichia coli  
ISO 2271 7, Cosmetics — Microbiology — Detection of pseudomonas aeruginosa  
ISO 22718, Cosmetics — Microbiology — Detection of staphylococcus aureus  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
ISO and I EC m aintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Online browsing platform: availab le at http://www.iso.org/obp  
  
tampon  
absorbing plug made of absorbent materials such as cotton, viscose rayon or a blend  of the  two or equivalent 
materials  that is inserted into the vagina and used to absorb menstrual o r other vaginal discharge  
4 Construction of tampons  
Tampons may be constructed in any of the following shapes : 
4.1 Rectangle  
The absorbent material is in the form o f a rectanguar or square pad which is compressed in both length and 
width directions. This ta mpon expands in both length and width, but predominantly in the lengthways direction.  DUS 2863 : 202 2 
2 © UN BS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 
 
Figure 1 — Recta ngular shaped tampon  
4.2 Chevron :  
The absorbent material i s in the form of a chevron shaped pad which is compressed primarily in the width 
direction. T he tampon expands in both length and width, but predominantly widthways, mostly in one laterla 
plane.  
 
Figure 2 — Chevron sha ped tampon  
4.3 Swiss roll  
The absorbe nt material is rolled up like a Swiss roll and then compressed to produce a tampon which 
predominantly expands radially in the widthways direction  
 
Figure 3 — Swiss roll shaped tampon  
4.4 Swiss cr oss 
The absorbent mate rial is in the form of two rectangula r pads placed on top of each other at a 90 -degree 
angle. A cord is centrally placed between t he pads and the tampon is folded from the centre and compressed 
radially. Upon expansion the tampon open s in a similar way to that of a flower opening.  DUS  2863: 202 2 
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  3 
 
 
Figure 4 — Swiss cross shaped tampon  
5 Types of tampons  
5.1 Digital or non -applicator  
These tampons a re inserted into the vagina by using a finger . The finished tamp on is usually packag ed in a 
wrapper  
5.2 Applicator tampons  
These tampons are inserted into the vagin a by using an applicator. The applicato rs are made from an outer 
and inner tube with the latter fitting inside the outer tube.  
6 Requirements  
6.1 General requirements  
6.1.1 The absorbent material in a tampon shall be formed from cotton fibres or viscose r ayon or a blend of 
the two.  
6.1.2 Fibres used for making tampons shall not be chlorine bl eached.  
6.1.3 Tampons  shall be free from 2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzo -p-dioxin (TCDD), 2,3,7,9 -tetrachlorofuran 
dioxin (TCDF) and a ny pesticide and herbicide residues . 
6.1.4 Tampons  should include a provision for withdrawal with a suitably attached withdra wal cord to ensure 
safe and complete tampon removal.   
6.1.5 Tampons may have an additional nonwoven layer or perforated fi lm covering the tampon, which can 
aid insertion and removal . 
6.1.6 Tampons may contain a lubricant or fragrance/scent. Where this i s the case, it sh all be stated on th e 
pack.  
6.1.7 The appli cator, if provided shall be residue -chlorine free and shall be non -irritant and non -sensi tizing.  
6.1.8  There shall be no prema ture expulsion of the applicator  (if provi ded) and it shall not cause any 
damage to the vagina during the insertion process.  
 DUS 2863 : 202 2 
4 © UN BS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 6.2 Specific requirements  
6.2.1 Absorbency  
6.2.1.2  Tampons shall be classified in accordance with the range of absorbencies given in Table 1. 
Table 1  — Absorbency classification of tampons  
Droplet  Corresponding term 
of absorbency  Absorbency,  
g 
 Very light to light flow  < 6 
 Light to medium flow  6 - 9 
 Medium to heavy f low 9 - 12 
 Heavy flow  12 - 15 
 Very heavy flow  15 - 18 
 Extremely heavy f low 18 - 21 
NOTE  Each set of droplet symbol represents a range of 3 g of 
Syngina absorbency  
 
6.2.1.2  When tested in accordance with the “S yngina testing” method in Annex A, the tampon shall 
comply with the absorbency range decla red on the label . 
6.2.2 Microbiological requir ements  
Tampons shall comply with the microbiological requirements given  in Table 2 when tested in accordance with 
the test metho ds specified therein.  
Table 2 — Microbiological requirements of tampons  
Parame ter Requirement  
cfu/g  Test method  
Escherichia  coli Not detected  ISO 21150  
Candida albicans  Not detected  ISO 18416  
Staphylococcus aureus  Not detected  ISO 22718  
Pseudomonas aeruginosa  Not detected  ISO 2 2717  
 
6.2.3 Requirements of the  removal string  
6.2.3.1 The removal string shall be strong enough  to withstand the withdrawal force applied by the user.  
6.2.3.2 When the string is hanging free from the tampon the length of the string should be no less than 
80mm long  when measured with the aid of a steel rule .  DUS  2863: 202 2 
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  5 
 6.2.3.3 The withdrawal cord shall not sink completely beneath the surface of the water when tested in 
accordance wi th Annex B.  
6.2.3.4 The pull strength of the remov al string and its attachment point shall be such that the mean force 
required to break or detach the cord shall not be less than  28 N when tested in accordance with Annex C. No 
value for an individual string shall be less than 22.4 N when tested at a const ant rate of 200 ± 25 mm/min 
using a tensile tester or equivalent.  
7 Instructio n leaflet  
Each tampon pack shall be  enclose d with  an instruction leaflet which gives legible and clear advice  and 
guidance on the use of  tampons. The leaflet shall  include the following : 
a) information about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS ) such as:   
i) stateme nt that “TSS can  be fatal ”;  
ii) full descri ption of the sym ptoms of TSS i.e., a sudden high fever usually over 39°C, 
vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle aches, a sun burn like rash, sore throat, dizzine ss and/or 
fainting ;  
iii) statement that not all the symptoms of TSS m ay occur simultaneously ;  
iv) instruction that  if symptoms o f TSS occur, the user should remove the tampon, consult a 
doctor urgently and inform him or her that a tampon has been used  
v) a web web link f or further informatio n on TSS such as www. tssis.com ; 
b) frequency of use stateme nt such as:  
i) in the case  of night time use, insert a fresh tampon bef ore going to sleep replace the 
tampon first thing in the morning.  
ii) regardless of when used, day or nig ht, change the  tampon every 4 to 8 hours or more often 
if neede d. 
c) Instruct ion to the user to use the lowest absorbency for their flow  as it changes throughout their 
period. In this instruction, include  the fo llowing:  
i) a full description of absorbencies available within a brand’s product range (or sub range), 
including Syngina absorbency in grams e.g. 6 – 9g, 9 -12g etc. and linking to menstrual flow 
via the primary and seco ndary descriptors and droplets.   
ii) advice to the user to alternate between tampons and towels/pads , liners from time to time 
during their period.  
d) Emphasis  on the imp ortance of personal hygiene, particularly the washing of hands before and after 
inserting a tampon.  
e) Inform ation to the user to only use tampons during menstruation, use only one tampon at any time, 
and to ensure the removal of the last tampon once menstr uation has  finished.  
f) instruct the user on the method for insertion and withdrawal.  
g) storage  instructions  
h) include brief details of t he type of absorbent materials in the product.  DUS 2863 : 202 2 
6 © UN BS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 i) advise the user to co rrectly dispose of tampons, applicator tubes and wrappe rs in a wa ste bin. 
Additionally, advise the user not to flush tampons, applicator tubes or wrappers.  
8 Packaging  
Tampons shall be individually wrapped i n suitable packaging to ensure that the hygienic quality and physical 
integrity  of the products are main tained . 
9 Labelling  
Each tampon pack shall be legibly and indellibly labelled with the following information:  
a) name and address of the manufacturer’  
b) product name, i.e. tampon  
c) clear wording to notify the consumer t hat tampons are associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) 
and ad vise the user to read and retain the instruction leaflet within the pack;  The potentially fatal 
disease causes women to experience fever, shock, low  blood pressure, skin rashes,  liver and kid ney 
abnormalities .”) 
d) Wear time  
e) pictogra m, absorbency term and co rresponding numeri cal value in grams  for absorbency ; 
f) construction  (i.e. shape o f the tampon and applicator (if present));  
g) chemical composition of the component materials;  
h) additives and finishing agents used;  
i) for scented or scented -deod orized tampons, include a warning statement about allergic re actions and 
irritations, for example “If an allergic reaction or irritation occurs from using tampons, you  should 
discontinue use and consult a medical professional.”  
j) country of origin/manufactur e; 
k) Disposal instructions of the tampon, and the applicator  (if provided)  including the “Do Not Flush” 
symbol;  
 
10 Sampling  
Sampling shall be done in accordance with US ISO   2859 -1 DUS  2863: 202 2 
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  7 
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Absorbency test  (Syngina test)  
In the absorbency tes t, an unlubricated condom, with tensile strength between 17 Mega Pascals (MPa) and 
30 MPa, as measured acc ording to the procedure in the ISO 4074  is attached to the large end of a glass 
chamber (or a chamber made from hard transparent plastic) with a rubbe r band (see Figure A.1) and pushe d 
through the small end of the chamber using a smooth, finished rod.  
The condom is pulled through until all slack is removed. The tip of the condom is cut off and the remaining end 
of the condom is stret ched over the end o f the tub e and secured with a rub ber band.  
A pre -weighed (to the nearest 0.01 gram) tampon is placed within the condom membrane so that the center of 
gravity of the tampon is at the center of the chamber.  
An infusion needle (14 gauge) is inserted th rough  the sept um created by the condom tip until it contacts the 
end of the tampon. The outer chamber is filled with water pumped from a temperature -controlled waterbath to 
maintain the average temperature at 27  0C ± 1 0C. The water returns to the waterba th as shown in  figure 2.  
Syngyna fluid (10 grams sodium chloride, 0.5 gram Certified Reagent Acid Fushsin, 1,000 milliliters distilled 
water) is then pumped through the infusion needle at a rate of 50 milliliters per hour. The test shall be 
terminated whe n the tampon i s saturated and the first drop of fluid exits the apparatus. (The test result shall 
be discarded if fluid is detected in the folds of the condom before the tampon is saturated).  
The water is then drained and the tampon is remov ed and immedia tely w eighed t o the nearest 0.01 gram. T he 
absorbency of the tampon is determined by subtracting its dry weight from this value. The condom shall be 
replaced after 10 tests or at the end of the day during which the condom is used in testing, whichever occu rs 
first. 
 
Figure A.1 — Syngina test c hamber  
DUS 2863 : 202 2 
8 © UN BS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 
 
Figure A .2 — Syngina test set -up DUS  2863: 202 2 
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex  B 
(normative)  
 
Determin ation of  water repellency of the withdrawal cord  
Procedure  
B.1 Cut a section of the cord approximately 75 mm long and gently place them on the top of a beaker 
containing 500ml water.  
B.2 Observe at the end of 5h to see if the cord samples are floating on the water surface or ha ve sunk 
completely beneath the surface.  
B.3 If the repellency of the cord is such that it does not si nk in a prescribed time, the cord is determined to 
have satisfactory water repellency.  
B.4 Do five samples parallel.  DUS 2863 : 202 2 
10 © UN BS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 Annex  C 
(normative)  
 
Determination of the pull strength of the withdrawal cord  
C.1 Apparatus  
Tensile testing machine , capable of testing  at a constant rate of 200 ± 25 mm/min.   
C.2 Procedure  
C.2.1 Condition the wrapped tampons for not less than 12 h at 20  °C ± 2 °C and 65  % ± 5% relative 
humidity.  
C.2.2  The tampon is placed in a holder having internal diameters of 26 ± 1 mm and the cord is p ulled 
through the base of the hole in the holder and then attached to the lower jaw of the tensile machine.  
C.2.3  Place the flange on the holder into the upper jaw of the tensile testing machine making sure to extend 
the cord so that there are no kinks in  it.  
C.2.4  Start the test at a constant rate of extension of 200 ± 25 mm/min and  record the force required to 
either break the cord or detach it from the body of the tampon. Repeat and note the average of 6 -9 readings.  
C.2.5  Repeat the test in the wet sta te which is as follows. Place the tampon in the 100 0 mL beaker in an 
excess of the water and leave the tampon in the water for at least 5 min. Remove the tampon with the tongs 
and gently squeeze to remove excess water and repeat the test as above.  
C.2.6  Record the average of 6 -9 readings as the mean pull strengt h (force) of the cord.  
 DUS  2863: 202 2 
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  11 
 Bibliography  
[1] UK Code of Practice for Tampon Manufacturers and Distributors Version No.8 dated May 2019.  
[2] Edana guidelines for  testing femin ine hygiene pr oducts Version 13th December 2018  
[3] 21CFR801.430, Code of Federal Regulations Title 21  
[4] Technical Specifications for Tampons” available at  
https://www.unicef.org/s upply/media/12541/file/technical -specification -tampons -2022.pdf   DUS  2863 : 202 2 
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  13 
 Certification marking  
Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the U NBS Certification Mark is gove rned by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Burea u of Standard s and in conjunction with the r elevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in ac cordance with the 
certification  mark scheme of the Uganda Nat ional Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from  the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 DUS 2863 : 202 2   
 
ICS 11.020  
Price bas ed on nn pages  
© UNBS 2022– All rights reserved