DRAFT TANZANIA  STANDARD                 TDC9 (6088) P3 
                                                                   First Edition  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Textiles – Re-usable baby diapers - Specifications.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tanzania Bureau of Standards  
 TDC9 (6088) P3 
i 
  
 
 
Textiles – Re-usable baby diaper s – Specification.  
Foreword  
This Draft Tanzania Standard has been developed so as to help manufacturers and importers of re-
usable baby diapers in producing goods of  defined quality and help in saf e – guarding the interests of  
consumer s. 
In preparation of this Draft Tanzania Standard, assistance was derived from the following:  
 TZS 914: 200 6, Textiles – Specification for cotton baby napkins.  
 Cloth diaper user guide – www.myllymuksut.com . 
 TZS 1659 – Textiles – Reusable Sanitary Towels – Specifications. 
1 
 1.    Scope  
This Draft Tanzania Sta ndard specifies the requirements and test methods for re-usable baby 
diapers.  
2.  Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this Draft Tanzania 
Standard.  For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest 
edition of the referenced document (including any amendment) applies.  
i) TZS 4, Rounding off numerical values  
ii) TZS 20, Textiles – Woven fabrics – Determination of the nu mber of threads per unit length  
iii) TZS 26, Textiles – Determination of the conductivity, pH, water soluble matter, chloride and 
sulphate in aqueous extracts  
iv) TZS 43, Textiles  – Method for determination of colour fastness of textile materials to washing. Test  1 
(mild washing)  
v) TZS 138, Textiles  – Method for determination of colour fastness of textile materials to rubbing  
vi) TZS 278, Textiles – Absorbent cotton gauze for medical use – Specification.  
vii) TZS 250, Textiles – Method for determination of absorbency of absorbent textile material  
viii) TZS 280, Textiles  – Method for determination of colour fastness of textile material to perspiration.  
ix) TZS 534, Textiles – Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing  
 
3.    Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this Draft Tanzania Standard, the following terms and definitions shall apply.  
3.1 Baby diaper  
hygiene pad for babies having capability to absorb urine and prevent stool and fluid from leaking out.  
3.2 Re-usable baby diaper  
washable baby diaper.  
3.3  Absorbency rate  
rate at which the liquid is dispersed into the diaper.  
3.4 Insert  
absorbent layers of fabric which helps in holding as much moisture as possible.it can be removed 
away from the cover layer or it can be attached . 
3.5 Cover layer 
Reusable baby diaper shall have a cover layer that should act as a protective barrier that delays or 
prevents potential leakage from the absorbent layer ( Insert).  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General  
 
Diapers shall:  
a) have been made in accordance with sound manufacturing practice;  
b) be of acceptable uniform make;  
c) be free from defects that can impair t he appearance or serviceability.  
e) have two fastening tabs or refasten able tabs and landing strips (see annex B), as required; and  
f) have a water proof ma terial outside that delays or prevents potential leakage from the absorbent 
layer of the diaper.   
2 
 4.2 Classification  
Table 1 – Classification of diaper according to baby weight.  
S/N Category (informative)  Baby weight  
1 Small  Up to 6.0 kg  
2 Medium  6.1kg – 9.0 kg  
3 Large  9.1kg – 15 kg  
4 Extra large  Above 15kg  
 
4.3 Material  
The material used for making the diaper shall be of an acceptable quality and should not bring any 
harm to the baby.  
 
4.4 Performance requirements  
The diapers shall comply with the relevant performan ce requirements given in Table 2 . 
 
5.Design of the reusable baby diaper.  
The reusable baby diaper is composed of two main parts which are  
i) The insert . 
ii) The cover layer . 
6. Types of re -usable baby diaper.  
a) Flats and prefolds: big, rectangular piece of fabric (think dishtowel size) and prefolds are smaller 
pieces of fabric that have been doubled over. Both need to be folded, clipped, and have a waterproof 
cover put over them.  
b) Fitted : fully designed diapers with elastic leg opening s and snaps or velcro tab closures around the 
waist made entirely from absorbent fabric. Fitted diapers also require a waterproof cover to go over 
them.  
c) Pocket: diapers having  waterproof exterior and inside pockets whereabsorbent inserts  can be 
placed . The main benefit of a pocket diaper is being able to adjust the insert so that it absorbs more 
or less, and is positioned where it is needed most.  
 
d) All-in-ones: full package: waterproof cover and attached cloth liners to absorb fluid.  
e) Hybrids:  Very similar to all -in-ones, have a waterproof shell, too, but feature a liner that snaps in. 
At changing time, you just pull the dirty liner/insert out and snap a fresh one into the same shell (as 
long as there was no leakage onto the shell).  
Table 2 – Requirements for Re -usable baby diaper  
 
 SN Parameter  Requirement  Test Method  
1 Absorbency Rate, sec, min.  10 Annex A  
2 pH 5-8 TZS 26  
3 Colour fastness  
 i) colour fastness to washing, Min  4 TZS 43  
ii) Colour fastness to rubbing  
- Wet, min  
- Dry, min   
4 
4 TZS 138 
iii) Colour fastness to perspiration.  4 TZS 280  
3 Cover layer  Should be water proof   
3 
 7 Packaging and Marking  
7.1 Packing  
The packing of the Re -usable baby diaper shall be packed in a polyethylene bags or water proof 
material.  
7.2 Marking  
The following information shall appear legibly and indelibly on the outside of each package and shall 
be written in English or Kiswahili language.  
a) the manufacturer’s name and/or registered trade mark;  
b) the words “ reusable baby diaper/cloth diaper/etc. ”; 
c) number of reusable baby diapers in a package;  
d) use and care instructions, including washing instructions.  
e) storage instructions ; 
f) batch identification number;  
g) country  of manufactur ing; and  
h) date of manufacture.   
4 
 Annex A  
(normative)  
Method for determination of absorbency rate  
 
A.1 Apparatus   
A.1.1 Water tub  
Of a depth of at least 100 mm and maintained at room temperature.   
A.1.2 Stop watches  
With an accuracy of 0.2 s   
A.1.3 Cylindrical basket  
Weighing 2.7 ± 0.3 g of height 80 mm, diameter 50 mm with square opening of 15 mm to 20 mm, 
made of copper wire of 0.4 mm diameter.   
A.1.4 Weighing machine  
A.2 Preparation of test specimens   
Carefully isolate the absorbent filler material and weig h 5 g and insert into the 
basket   
A.3 Procedure   
A.3.1 Drop the test specimen in a horizontal position into the water 
tub.   
A.3.2 Using the stop watch, measure the time it takes the basket and its contents to sink below the 
surface of water in seconds.   
A.3.3 Record the absorption period to the nearest 0.1 s.   
A.3.4 Repeat the test for at least two test specimens.   
A.4 Calculation   
Calculate the arithmetic mean of the absorbency rate of the absorbent filler material 
tested.