Reference number  
DRS 404: 2019  
© RSB 2019  
 
 
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS  
404 
 
First edition  
2019 -mm-dd 
 
Liquid oxygen based bleach for domestic 
use — Specification  
 
  DRS 404 : 2019  
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    ©RSB 2019  - All rights reserved  
 In order to match with technological development and to keep continuous progress in industries, 
standards are subject to periodic review. Users shall ascertain that they are in possession of the latest 
edition  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© RSB 2019  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized 
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without 
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Website: www.rsb.gov.rw   
ePortal: www.portal.rsb.gov.rw   DRS 404 : 2019  
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    ©RSB 2019  - All rights reserved  
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  1 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
4.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
5 Packaging an d Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  2 
5.1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 2 
5.2 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  2 
6 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 3 
Annex  A (normative)  Determination of available oxygen  ................................ ................................ ..... 4 
 DRS 404 : 2019  
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    ©RSB 2019  - All rights reserved  
 Foreword   
Rwanda Standard s are prepared by Technical Committees and approved by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) 
Board of Directors in  accordance with the procedures of RSB,  in compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT 
agreement on the preparation, adoption an d application of standards.  
The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards. Final Draft Rwanda Standards adopted 
by Technical committees are ratified  by members of RSB Board of Directors for publication and gazettment as 
Rwanda Stan dards.  
DRS 404  was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 042, Surface Active Agents . 
In the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following standard:  
KS 2502: Liquid oxygen based bleach for domestic use — Specification  
The assistance de rived from the above source is hereby acknowledged with thanks.  
 
Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on surface Active Agents (RSB/TC 
042) in the preparation of this standard.  
University of Rwanda -College of Sciences and Technology  
Trust Industries Ltd  
University of Rwanda – College of Education  
SULFO Industries  
AGROPY Ltd  
MACPELA INVESTMENTS Ltd  
Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) – Secretariat  DRS 404 : 2019  
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    ©RSB 2019  - All rights reserved  
 Introduction   
Oxygen -based or all -fabric bleach is a gentle bleaching agent that removes stains, whitens, and brightens 
laundry and is safe for use on almost all washable white and colored fabrics. Because of its chemical ingredients, 
it works more slowly than chlorine bleach, is less corrosive and damaging to fibe rs, and is more environmentally 
friendly.  
Different brands of oxygen bleach  may contain sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate , or hydrogen peroxide 
as ingredients. Some formulas also contain other ingredients like dyes, fragrances, or anti -caking 
products.  When the dry bleach is introduced to water, the chemical ingredient oxidizes to help remove soil, 
stains, and cut through residual detergent and fabric softener build -up that dulls fabric.   
When you head down the laundry products aisle, you'll see that ox ygen bleach is sold in both powder and liquid 
formulas. Powder formulas (sodium perborate or sodium p ercarbonate are the active ingredients) are more 
stable and will retain their cleaning power much longer than liquid formulas. It is easy to use and can be  mixed 
in warm or cool water to create the amount needed for each application.  
Powdered oxygen bleach has a shelf life of several years. Over time and exposure to air, the active chemicals 
in powdered oxygen bleach will revert to environmentally friendly n atural soda ash or borax after the oxygen is 
released.  
Liquid oxygen bleach formulas are actually a solution of hydrogen peroxide in water. Liquid oxygen bleach  will 
break down more quickly after opening, especially if exposed to light, leaving only water.  Even unopened, the 
shelf life is six months or less.  
For many years, laundry detergents of all types have added the same chemical ingredients that constitute 
oxygen bleach to their formulas. They have called them brighteners or whiteners. The popularity o f stand -alone 
oxygen bleaches has prompted many manufacturers to add the term OXI to brand labels. Yes, oxygen bleach 
is in there but in very small quantities.  
 
 DRS 404 : 2019  
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    ©RSB 2019  - All rights reserved  
 Liquid oxygen based bleach for domestic use — Specification  
1 Scope  
This Committee Draft specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for liquid oxygen based bleach for 
domestic use. This standard does not  apply to sodium hypochlorite solutions used as domestic bleaches and 
sanitizers.  
2 Normative references  
The following 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.  
RS ISO 862, Surface active agents — Vocabulary  
RS ISO  4316, Surface active agents — Determination of pH o f aqueous solution — Potentiometric method  
RS 278, Cosmetics — Method of sampling  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in RS ISO 862 and the following apply.  
3.1 
liquid oxygen  
the liquid form of elemental oxygen . 
3.2 
nominal concentration  
the minimum available oxygen content of the peroxide solution under test.  
3.3 
product unit  
a unit of the final product, packaged in a plastic bottle or other suitable airtight and opaque container.  
3.4 
lot 
a numb er of containers consisting of product of the same type and style which have been manufactured and 
packaged under essentially the same conditions.  DRS 404 : 2019  
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    ©RSB 2019  - All rights reserved  
 4 Requirements  
4.1 General requirements  
4.1.1  Appearance  
4.1.1.1  Liquid oxygen based bleach shall be a clear liquid, free from sediment and suspended matter. It may 
be perfumed or not.  
4.1.1.3  The product shall be miscible with water in all proportions.  
4.1.2  Stability  
The product shall be stable under normal household conditions of use.  
NOTE  The product should n ot be heated up to temperature greater than 50 ºC. 
4.2 Specific requirements  
The product shall comply with the specific quality requirements given in table 1, when tested in accordance with 
the methods described therein.  
Table 1 — Specific requirements for liq uid oxygen based bleach  
S/N Parameters  Requirements  Test methods  
i.  Available Oxygen, as H 2O2, % w/v, min.  2.8 Annex A  
ii.  pH, neat (at 20 ºC), max.  4 RS ISO 4316  
 
5 Packaging and Labelling  
5.1 Packaging  
5.1.1  The product shall be packaged in suitable opaque containers  
5.1.2  The container/package (including the closure) shall not interact chemically with the product and shall 
be strong enough to protect adequately during normal handling, transportation and storage.  
5.2 Labelling  
The container shall be labelled in prominent, legible and indelible label with the following information:  
a) manufacturer’s name and physical address;  
NOTE  The name, physical address of the distributor/supplier and trade mark may be added as required.  
b) percent w/v of available oxygen;  DRS 404 : 2019  
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    ©RSB 2019  - All rights reserved  
 c) the instr uctions for use and first aid instructions;  
d) storage conditions;  
e) net content;  
f) date of manufacture;  
g) best before date;  
h) country of origin;  
i) batch number or lot number;  
j) the words: “Keep away from heat or sunlight”  
6 Sampling  
Sampling shall be done in accordance w ith RS 278.  
 DRS 404 : 2019  
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    ©RSB 2019  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of available oxygen  
A.1 Place 20 mL distilled water in a small beaker. Add 2.5 mL concentrated Sulphuric acid (H 2SO 4) and 
mix. Allow to cool.  
A.2 Pipette 10 mL sample into a 100 mL volumetric flask and make to volum e with distilled water. Place in 
a refrigerator for 30 min. to cool.  
A.3 Pipette 10.0 mL of this solution into a 250 mL conical flask. Add cool sulphuric acid mixture.  
A.4 Titrate with 0.2N Potassium permanganate (KMnO 4) to a faint pink colour.  
A.5 Calculation:  
% 𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒  𝑜𝑥𝑦𝑔𝑒𝑛 =𝑇𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑒  𝑥 0.001701  𝑥 𝐹 𝑥 100 /10 
Where F is the concentration factor of 0.2 N Potassium permanganate.  
  DRS 404 : 2019  
ICS 71.100.40  
 
 
©RSB 2019  - All right s reserved