KENYA STANDARD    DKS 2881 :2020  
ICS 61.060  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disposable maternity pads — 
Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 20 20        Second   Edition 2020  
 
 APP
ROV
ED 
2019 -
07-23 DKS 2881 :2020  
 
ii  © KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved  TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee : 
 
University of Nairobi — School of Medicine  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute  
Kenya Medical Association  
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority  
African Cotton Industries  
Radbone Clark  
Procter and Gamble  
KIM FAY East Africa Ltd . 
Kimberly Clark  
KIRATA Africa  
Marvel Five Investments Ltd .  
The Nairobi Hospital  
Nairobi Enterprises Limited  
Kenya  Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestion s 
for improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, 
are welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2019  
  
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130  of 2001 of the Laws of Kenya, copyright 
subsists in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 25 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bure au of 
Standards may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted  by any means without prior permission in writing 
from the Managing Director.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  KENYA STANDARD    DKS 2881 :2020  
ICS 61.060  
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     iii  DKS 2881 :2020  
 
iv  © KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disposable maternity pads — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi -00200, Tel.:  (+254 020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020) 604031  
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region     Lake Region          Rift Valley Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa -80100   P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu -40100        P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru -20100  
Tel.: (+ 254 041) 229563, 230939/40                Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396        Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555  
Fax: (+254 041) 229448    Fax: (+254 057) 21814  KENYA STANDARD    DKS 2881 :2020  
ICS 61.060  
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     v  Foreword  
 
This Kenya S tandard has been prepared by the Technical Committee on Towels, Medical and Hygienic 
Textile Products under guidance of the Standards Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the 
procedures of the Kenya Bureau of Standards.  
 
A Maternity pad is an absorbent product used to absorb and retain vaginal discharge after giving b irth. The 
standard is therefore meant to guide the manufacturers of the maternity pads on the expected quality 
requirements and enhance consumer satisfaction.  
 
During the preparation of this standard, reference was  made to the following document : 
 
KS EAS 9 6-1:2018 , Sanitary towels — Specification  Part 1: Disposable.  
 
Acknowledgment is hereby made for assistance received from this source . 
 
 
 KENYA STANDARD    DKS 2881 :2020  
ICS 61.060  
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     7  
 
Disposable maternity pads — Specification  
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This Kenya Standard specifies requirements , sampling and test methods  for disposable maternity pads or 
disposable pants with pads (postpart um underwear ) 
 
 
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.  
 
KS ISO 139, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing  
 
KS ISO 307 1, Textiles — Determination of pH of aqueous extract  
 
KS ISO 11737 -1, Sterilization of medical devices — Microbiological methods — Part 1: Estimation of population of 
microorganisms on products  
 
KS ISO 22717,  Cosmetics  — Microbiology  — Detection of Pseudom onas aeruginosa  
 
KS ISO 22718, Cosmetics — Microbiology — Detection of Staphylococcus aureus  
 
KS ISO 18416, Cosmetics — Microbiology — Detection of Candida albicans  
 
KS ISO 21150, Cosmetics — Microbiology — Detection of Escherichia coli  
 
ISO 8784, Microbio logical examination — Part 1: Enumeration of bacteria and bacterial spores based on 
disintegration  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
 
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
 
3.1  
package  
the smallest unit of maternity pads as declared by a manufacturer that can be purchased by a consumer  
 
3.2 
absorbent filler material  
the material at the core of the maternity pad that absorbs fluids  
 
3.3 
leakage  
the test solution which penetrates the maternity pad under specific pressure  
 
4 Requirements  
 
4.1 General  requirements  
 DKS 2881 :2020  
 
8  © KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved  All components used in the manufacture of disposable maternity pads shall conform to health and safety standards 
in line with Good Manufacturing Practices.  
 
4.2  Materials  
 
4.2.1 Absorbent filler  
 
When visually examined , the absorbent filler shall be white in colour and shall be free from any water soluble 
colouring matter when t ested in acc ordance with Annex A. It shall not contain extraneous materials, which are not 
designed to enhance performance.  
 
4.2.2 Covering  
 
The absorbent filler covering shall be made of fabric with sufficient porosity to permit the assembled towel to meet 
absorbenc y requirement and prevent rewet when tested in accordance to the method i n Annex C . 
 
NOTE  If harsh absorbent fillers or cover fabric s are used in the manufacture of maternity pads , they may cause discomfort and body rashes 
on the delicate skin due to undesired friction.  
 
4.2.3 Protective barrier  
 
The protective barrier shall be water resistant (no wetting of outer surface and no water penetration) when t ested in 
accordance with Annex B. It shall be clearly identifiable with a mark, colour or some other means.  
 
4.3 Workmanship and finish  
 
4.3.1 Absorbent filler  
 
The absorbent filler shall be continuous and neatly cut to the required size . It shall be free from hard lumps. It shall 
be completely covered and free from wrinkles that are not a design feature.  
 
4.3.2 Securing mechanism  
 
Any of the following securing mechanism  may be used:  
 
a) Loops or tabs which shall extend beyond the length of  the filler material;  
 
b) Adhesive strip or patch;   
 
c) Wings with adhesive which shall be of sufficient length in such a manner as to form folds around the 
panty/brief for securing  the maternity pad when in use; and  
 
d) Joined around to form a panty  
 
4.3.3  Freedo m from defects  
 
The maternity pad when visually examined shall be free from defects, which affect the appearance and utility such 
as oil stains, dirt, soil particles and hard lumps.  
 
4.3.4  Odour  
 
The maternity pad shall have no unpleasant odour either in dry state immediately after sampling from the packages 
or after wetting the sample with distilled water.  
 
4.4 Performance requirements  
 
The maternity pad shall comply with the performance requirements given in Table 1  when tested in accordance 
with th e test methods prescribed therein . KENYA STANDARD    DKS 2881 :2020  
ICS 61.060  
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     9   
 
 
Table 1 — Performance requirements for disposable maternity pads  
 
S/N Characteristic  
 Requirement  Test method  
i.  Absorbency capacity  No leakage  Annex C  
ii.  Rate of absorption per gush, 
s, (max .) 1st 
Gush 
15 ml 2nd 
Gush 
15 ml 3rd 
Gush 
10 ml Annex C  
5 15 15 
iii.  Rewet under load,  g (max .) 6 Annex C  
iv.  Moisture content of filler 
material, % m/m, max.  8 Annex D  
v.  Water soluble extract of filler 
material, (%), m/m, max.  1.0 Annex A  
vi.  Fluorescence of filler 
material  None  Annex E 
vii.  Size (mm) min.  Width 65  
Length 240  Measure with a 
calibrated steel 
rule 
viii.  pH of aqueous extract a 5.5 - 8 KS ISO 3071, 
Method B1  
a Incase a jelly forms, dilute with more distilled water before determining the pH.  
 
4.5  Microbiological requirements  
 
4.5.1 When packed in sterile conditions as declared by the manufacturer (see 6.1 c)) , maternity pad  shall pass 
tests for sterility when tested in accordance with KS ISO 11737 -1. 
 
4.5.2 When packed in non -sterile condition the maternity pad shall comply wit h the microbiological requirements 
given in Table 2  when tested in accordance with the test methods prescribed therein .  
 
Table 2 — Microbiological requirements for disposable maternity pads  
 
 Parameter  Limit  Test method  
 
Hygiene 
monitoring  Total aerobic bacterial 
count  100 cfu/g  ISO 8784 -1 
Potential 
pathogens  Pseudomonas aeruginosa  Not detectable per gram 
of sample  KS ISO 22717  
Staphylococcus aureus  Not detectable per gram 
of sample  KS ISO 22718  
Candida albicans  Not detectable per gram 
of sample  KS ISO 18416  
E.coli  Not detectable per gram 
of sample  KS ISO 21150  
 
5  Packaging  
 
5.1   Package  
 
Disposable maternity pads shall be supplied in packages made of suitable materials, which are sealed so as to 
protect them from moisture, soiling and contamin ation during storage and transportation.  DKS 2881 :2020  
 
10  © KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved   
5.2   Bulk packaging  
 
5.2.1   When supplied in bulk, the bulk package shall be made of materials, which are strong enough to hold the 
number of declared packages.  
 
5.2.2   The package shall protect the quality of the product during handling, transportation and storage.  
 
5.2.3   The bulk package shall be properly sealed to prevent the packages from spilling.  
 
5.2.4   Only packages with the same batch number and containing the same size shall be packed together in a  
bulk package.  
 
6   Labelling   
 
6.1   Packages  
 
The following information shall legibly and indelibly appear on the outside of each primary package:  
 
a) the manufacturer’s name and/or registered trade mark;  
 
b) the words “Maternity Pads” or “disposable pants  with pads (postpartum underwear) ”; 
 
c) words ‘Sterile’ if applicable (4.5.1);  
 
d) securing mechanism (as per 4.3 .2.); 
 
e) number of maternity pads in a package;  
 
f) batch identification number;  
 
g) country or region of manufacture;  
 
h) disposal instructions;  
 
i) instructions  for proper use;  
 
j) storage instructions ; 
 
k) date of manufacture;  
 
l) expiry date ; and  
  
m) size of the maternity pad.  
 
6.2  Bulk packages  
 
The following information shall appear legibly and indelibly on the outside of each bulk package:  
 
a) the manufacturer’s name a nd/or registered trade mark;  
 
b) the words “ Maternity  Pads”; 
 
c) number of packages in a bulk package ; 
  
d) manufacture date ;  
  KENYA STANDARD    DKS 2881 :2020  
ICS 61.060  
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     11 e) expiry date ; and 
 
f) batch number .  
 
7 Sampling  
 
7.1 Lot 
 
In any consignment , all packages of the maternity pads of the same size and type  belonging to one batch of 
manufacture or supply shall constitute a lot.  
 
7.2 Scale of sampling  
 
7.2.1  Samples shall be tested from each lot ascertaining its conformity to the requirements of this standard . 
 
7.2.2  The number of packages to be selected from  a lot shall be in accordance with Table 3.  
 
Table 3 — Scale of sampling  
 
Number of packages 
in a lot  Number of packages to be 
selected  
Up to 250  6 
251 – 500 8 
501 – 1 000 11 
1 001 – 2 500 15 
2 501 – 5 000 20 
5 001 and above  30 
 
7.2.3  The bulk packa ges and packages shall be selected at random.  
 
7.3 Number of tests  
 
7.3.1  Each package selected as per table 3 shall be inspected for packaging and marking requirements . 
 
7.3.2  Maternity pads selected as per T able 3 shall be examined for requirements stip ulated in C lause 4 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DKS 2881 :2020  
 
12  © KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved   
Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Method  for determination  of water  soluble  substances  
 
C.1     Principle  
 
Filler material  of the maternity pad is  extracted in  hot water a nd the extract is dried and t hen we ighed.  
 
C.2     Appar atus 
 
C.2.1    Weighing b alance  
 
C.2.2    Grad uated flask  
 
2.3     Burner C.2.4    
Funnel C.2.5    
Filter paper  
C.2.6    Drier,  with temperat ure control  
 
C.2.7    Clock  
 
C.3     Procedure  
 
C.3.1   To 5 g of filler material , add 500 mL of water  and boil gently for 30 min, adding  suffici ent water to 
maintain the  original volume.  
 
C.3.2   Pour  the extract  through a funnel  into another  vessel, transf er the filler material  to the funnel  and press 
out the water  absorbed there-in.  With a glass rod, wash the filler material  with two 150 portions  of hot 
water,  press ing the cotton after each washing. 
 
C.3.3    Filter  the combined  extracts and washi ngs, evap orate to conc entrate, transf er to the weigh ing bottle  and 
dry at 10 0C to co nstant weight .  Weigh  the resi dual (M) in g.  
 
C.4     Calculation  
M 
Soluble su bstances  = 
5  
x  100 
 
 
= 20 M
 
C.5     Report  
 
Report the value in C.4 as the perc entage of water  soluble su bstances. 
KENYA STANDARD    KS 2881 :2020  
 
© KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved     1 Annex  B 
(normative)  
 
Determination of water -resistance of protective barrier (cone test meth od) 
 
B.1  Apparatus  
 
B.1.1 Funnel,  metallic, glass or plastic of sufficient size for holding the test piece with water.  
 
B.1.2 Glass,  container for collecting water under the glass funnel.  
 
B.1.3 Burette,  for introducing water into the test piece .  
 
B.2   Test piece preparation  
 
Cut a square test piece of approximately 6.5 mm in length (length is short proposals to be given) by 
members from the protective barrier and fold into a cone without creasing the folds (see Figure B.1).  
 
 
 
Figure B.1 — Folding of specimens  DKS 2881 :2020 
 
2  © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  
 
 
 
Figure B.2 — Test apparatus  
B.3  Procedure  
 
Assemble the apparatus as shown in Figure B.2 . Pour slowly approximately 5 ml  of distilled water into the 
cone assembly. Let it stand for 24 h . 
 
B.4   Test report  
 
Observe for water in the glass container and wetness of the outer surface of the cone . DKS 2881 :2020  
 
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     3 Annex  C 
(normative)  
 
Determination of rate of absorption, absorptive capacity and rewet under load  
 
C.1  Principle  
 
The intention of this method is to test the minimum fluid handling performance requi rement of maternity 
pads.   
 
This test simulates the introduction of vaginal discharge into a maternity pad under the following conditions:  
 
a) The maternity pad is tested under pressure to simulate real wearing conditions i.e. to mimic the 
pressure that the mother applies onto the maternity pad when wearing it.  
b) Specific loading volumes are used for each maternity pad .  
 
C.2  Apparatus and materials  
 
C.2.1 A rigid cover plate with a weight as given below:  
 
Dimensions of the plate (200 mm ± 2 mm) x (70 mm ± 2 m m). Inner diameter o f cylinder 40 mm ± 2 mm, 
total w eight: 6  300 g ± 10 g representing a pressure of 4.41 kPa ± 0.05 kPa (0.64 psi ± 0.007 psi) for all 
sizes . 
 
C.2.2 Tray  
 
C.2.3 Filter paper , having a diameter of 110  mm and conditioned together with the t est samples.  
 
C.2.4 Graduated cylinder , 1 ml graduation  
 
C.2.5 Stopwatch  
 
C.2.6 Ruler , (at least 2 cm longer as absorbent core of the sample, 1  mm graduation)  
 
C.2.7 Pen 
 
C.2.8 Weighing scale  
 
A.2.9  0.9 % Saline solution (22  ºC – 24 ºC) : 9 g sodium chlorid e, and 1 g of b lue dye added into 200 ml  
distilled water at ambient temperature after whic h the solution is made up to 1 l . The pH shall be between 6.2 
– 6.7. When not within this  range adjust by using 0.1 mol/l  sodium hydroxide solution or acetic acid as 
required.  
 
Depending on the size of the maternity pad, the following amount of s aline solution  shall be used : 
  
C.2.10  Volume of saline solution poured per maternity pad is 15  ml, 15 ml and 10 ml at interval s of 2 min to 
make a total of 40  ml. 
 
C.3  Sample  preparation and set -up 
 
C.3.1 Condition the test samples in accordance with KS ISO 139 before taking the test specimens required 
for the tests  
 
C.3.2 Take 5 test specimens randomly from the test samples . 
 
Determination of absorption capacity  
 DKS 2881 :2020 
 
4  © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  C.3.3 Mark t he loading point in the middle of the absorbent core. Note that the absorbent core does not 
cover the full length of the maternity pad but it is more concentrated in the front of the maternity pad. 
Therefore, the middle of the absorbent core will not be th e same as the middle of the m aternity pad. Measure 
the length and width of the absorbent core. Mark the midpoint, which will be the loading point.  
 
C.3.4 Place core with top sheet facing upward on the tray . 
 
C.3.5 Place the rigid cover plate onto the mater nity pad ensuring that the plate is centered towards the 
width of the maternity pad core and the cylinder opening is placed over marked loading point. The maternity 
pad should be flat . 
 
 
 
 
Figure C.1 — Apparatus and set up  
 
C.3.6 Gently place weights on t he plate (ideally use weight in a ring form to allow for equally applied 
pressure) . 
 
C.3.7 Fill the measuring cylinder with respective amount of saline solution .  
 
C.3.8 Set the stopwatch to 2  min. 
 
C.3.9 Gently pour the saline solution onto the maternity pad via cylinder and immediately start the 
stopwatch.  
 
C.3.10 If the saline solution is absorbed after 2  min (i.e. no more liquid observed in the cylinder and no liquid 
on the tray outside the maternity r), then proceed to the next step.  
 
C.3.11  Leave the maternity pad undisturbed for 5 min . 
 
C.3.12  Repeat step C.3.7 to C.3.11 twice more on the same di (i.e. a total of 3 loads of saline solution with 
2-minute intervals between successive loads) and observe for any liquid leaking out of the absorbent core.  
Note your observations after a total of 3 loads of the specified amount of fluid and score the maternity pad 
based on the minimum volumes specified in C.2.10 . DKS 2881 :2020  
 
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     5  
C.3.13  Acceptance criteria  
 
Pass:  No fluid observed leaking out of the maternity pad.  
Report the time it takes for the fluid to be completely absorbed.  
 
Determination of rewet under load  
 
C.3.14  Weigh a stack of 5 dry filter papers and record as weight “ W1”.  
 
C.3.15  Lift the weight and cover plate and p lace the filter paper stack on the absorption po int of the 
maternity pad.  
 
C.3.16  Place the cover plate and weight on top of the stack of filter paper and leave undisturbed for 2 min.  
 
 
C.3.17  After 2 min, remove the weight and cover plate and immediately determine and record the weight of 
the wet filte r paper stack as “ W2”. 
 
C.3.18  Repeat A.3.13 to A.3.16 on the remaining 4 test specimens  and record each result separately.  
 
C.3.19  Calculation of results  
 
C.3.19 .1 Rewet (g) = W2 (Weight of stack of wet filter paper) - W1 (Weight of stack of dry filter pa per). 
 
Record the average rewet of the 5 samples tested and score the samples as follows:  
 
Pass:  Average rewet weight is less than or equal to the maximum limit specified in Table 1.  
Fail: Average rewet weight exceeds the maximum limit specified in Table 1 . 
 DKS 2881 :2020 
 
6  © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  Annex  D 
(normative)  
 
Determination of moisture content  
D.1  Principle  
 
A specimen of specified mass of filler material of maternity pad is dried in an oven at specified temperature 
and the moisture content is determined.  
 
D.2  Apparatus  
 
D.2.1 Balanc e, with an accuracy of 0.05 % of the weighed mass .  
 
D.2.2 Sample container  
 
Waterproof when sealed, will be used for transfer of analyzed material and during weighing.  
 
D.2.3 Oven , well ventilated with a temperature of 102 °C to 105 °C .  
 
B.3  Sample pr eparation  
 
D.3.1 Take a sufficient number of dry sample containers, number them and take their masses after they 
are held open for a short period of time so that they will have the same air pressure as the surrounding 
atmosphere. Then leave them open unti l you take the test piece.  
 
D.3.2 Take 5 random pieces from the absorbent f iller material of maternity pad .  The test pieces shall 
weigh 5 g. 
 
D.3.3 If the surrounding atmosphere is hot and humid, prevent water condensation on the internal and 
external su rfaces of the container.  
 
D.3.4 Handle the test pieces gently to prevent dirt or changes in water content.  Don’t touch the test pieces 
with your bare hands. Put the test pieces in a container just after taking them and close the container 
immediately.  
 
D.4  Procedure  
 
D.4.1 Dry the test pieces in an oven with a temperature of 102 ºC to 105 °C. Open the containers lid and 
dry the specimen inside the container. Open the container for a moment, to balance the air pressure inside 
the container with the surr ounding pressure, weigh the container that holds the specimen again and 
calculate the weight of the specimen.  
 
D.4.2 First cycle of dryi ng will last at least 30 min .  Return the container with the test pieces to the oven, for 
at least half the first cycle s drying time. Take the container out and take the mass with the test pieces inside.  
Repeat the drying and weighing cycles.  When the drying time on every cycle is at least half of the total 
previous drying cycle times. Continue the process until the diff erence between two consecutive masses does 
not exceed 0.1 % of the original mass of the specimen.  
  
D.5  Calculations  
 
Calculate the moisture content using the following formula and round the results up to the nearest 0.1 %.  
 
 
 
where    
 DKS 2881 :2020  
 
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     7  
a is weight of the container with the specimen before drying (in grams);  
 
b is weight of the container with the specimen after drying (in grams);  
 
c is weight of the container (in grams); and  
 
V  is water content (in weight %).  
 
 
 
 DKS 2881 :2020 
 
8  © KEBS 2020  — All rights reserved  Annex  E 
(normative)  
 
Determination o f fluorescence in maternity pads  
E.1  Principle  
 
A layer of absorbent filler material is examined under ultra violet radiation for the presence of fluorescent 
brightening agents  
 
E.2  Apparatus  
 
E.2.1 Ultra -violet source  
 
E.2.2 Graduat ed scale,  in mm  
 
E.3  Procedure  
 
Examine a layer of absorbent filler material of approximately 5 mm thick under ultra violet radiation of wave 
length 365 mm.  
 
E.4  Test report  
 
Bright fluorescence indicates the presence of fluorescent brightening agents.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DKS 2881 :2020  
 
© KEBS 20 20 — All rights reserved     9 Bibliography  
 
[1] SLS 111:1989, Specification for sanitary towels   
 
[2] KS EAS 96 -1:2018 , Sanitary towels — Specification Part 1: Disposable  
 
[3] Chinese Standard: GB/T 28004 -2001