DEAS 96-1: 2023 
ICS 59.080. 30 
 
© EAC 2023                                                                                                                           Fourth Edition 2023  
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Sanitary towels  — Specification  — Part 1: Disposable  
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITYDEAS 96-1: 2023 
ii © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
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 DEAS 96-1: 2023 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  v 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative r eferences  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
4.1 Gener al ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  2 
4.2 Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
4.2.1  Absorbent filler  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 2 
4.2.2  Covering  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
4.2.3  Protective barrier  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 2 
4.3 Workmanship and finish  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  2 
4.3.1  Absorbent filler  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 2 
4.3.2  Securing mechanism  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  3 
4.3.3  Protective barrier  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 3 
4.3.4  Freedom from defects  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
4.3.5  Prohibited substances  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  3 
4.4 Performance requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  3 
4.5 Microbiological requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  3 
4.6 Flushability  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  4 
5 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
5.1 Package  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  4 
5.2 Bulk packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
6 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  4 
6.1 Packages  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  4 
6.2 Bulk packages  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 5 
7 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  5 
7.1 Lot ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  5 
7.2 Scale of sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 5 
7.3 Number of tests  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 6 
Annex A (normative )  Determination of water soluble colouring matter  ................................ ......................  7 
A.1 Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  7 
A.2 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
A.3 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
A.4 Test report  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  7 
Annex  B (normative)  Determination of water -resistance of protective barr ier (Cone test method)  .........  8 
B.1 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  8 
B.2 Test piece preparation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  8 
B.3 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  9 
B.4 Test report  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  9 
Annex  C (normative)  Determination of rate of absorption, absorptive capa city and rewet under 
load ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  10 
C.1 Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  10 
C.2 Apparatus and materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  10 
C.3 Sample preparation and set -up ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  11 
C.3.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  11 
C.3.2   Determination of absorbency rate and absorbency capaci ty ................................ ........................  11 
C.3.3  Determination of rewet under load  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 12 DEAS 96-1: 2023 
iv © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 Annex  D (normative)  Determination of moisture content ................................ ................................ ...........  13 
D.1 Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  13 
D.2 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  13 
D.3 Sample preparation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  13 
D.4 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  13 
D.5 Calculation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  13 
Annex  E (normative)  Determination of water soluble e xtract  ................................ ................................ .... 15 
E.1 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  15 
E.2 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  15 
E.3 Calculation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  15 
Annex  F (normative)  Determination of flushability  ................................ ................................ .....................  17 
F.1 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  17 
F.2 Test method  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  17 
F.3 Test report  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  18 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  19 DEAS 96-1: 2023 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d v 
 Foreword  
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community.  It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services ar e exchanged 
within the Community will be removed.  
The Community has established an East African Standards Committee  (EASC)  mandated to develop and 
issue East African Standards  (EAS) . The Committee is composed of representatives of the National 
Standards B odies in Partner States, together with the representatives from the public and private sector 
organizations  in the community .  
East Afri can Standards are developed through  Technical Committees that are representative of key 
stakeholders including governmen t, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties. 
Draft East African Standards are circulated to stakeholders t hrough the National Standards Bodies in the 
Partner States. The comments received are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in 
accordance with the Principles and procedures for develop ment of East African Standards.  
East African Stan dards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore  expected to ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
The committee responsible  for thi s document is Technical Committee EASC /TC 061, Textiles , textile products 
and accessories . 
This fourth  edition cancels a nd replaces the third edition (EAS 96 -1: 2018), which has been technically 
revised.  
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of t he elements of this document may be subject of patent 
rights. EAC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or a ll such patent rights.  
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 96-1: 2023 
 
© EAC 2023 – All rights reserved  1 
 Sanitary towels — Specification  — Part 1: Disposable  
1 Scope   
This Draft  East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for disposable sanitary 
towels (also known as sanitary pads/sanitary napkins).  
This st andard does not a pply to reusable sanitary towels.  
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. F or undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
EAS 377  (all parts) , Cosmetics and cosmetic products  
ISO 139, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing  
ISO 3071, Textiles — Determi nation of pH of aqueous extract  
ISO 6887 -1, Microbiology of the food chain — Preparation of test samples, initial suspension and decimal 
dilutions for microbiological examination — Part 1: General rules for the preparation of the initial su spension 
and dec imal dilutions  
ISO 21149, Cosmetics — Microbiology — Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria  
ISO 21150, Cosmetics — Microbiology — Detection of Escherichia coli  
ISO 22198, Textiles — Fabrics — Determination of width and len gth 
ISO 22 717, Cosmetics — Microbiology — Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa  
ISO 22718 , Cosmetics — Microbiology — Detection of Staphylococcus aureus  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purpose s of this document , the following terms and definitions shall appl y. 
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses :  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at  http://www.iso.org/obp  
3.1  
sanitary towel  
hygienic composite produ ct with a porous top covering, an absorbent filler and a water -resistant  protective 
bottom barrier use d by women and girls to absorb menstrual flow  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
2 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 3.2  
package  
unit pack of sanitary towels as declared by a manufacturer that can be purchased by a consumer  
3.3  
leakage  
any fluid not absorbed and retained within the absorbent filler 
3.4  
absorbent filler  
layer enclosed within the top covering and the bottom protective barrier responsible for absorbing  and 
retaining menstrual flow  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General  
All materials, dyes and chemicals used in the manufacture of sanitary towels shall not cause any undes irable  
effects to the skin.  
NOTE  If harsh materials are used in the manufacture of sanitary towels, these may cause discomfort and body 
rashes on the delica te skin due to undesired friction.  
4.2 Materials  
4.2.1  Absorbent filler  
When visually examined, the  absorbent filler shall be white or off-white  in colour  and shall be free from any 
water -soluble colouring matter when tested in accordance with Annex A. It shall not contain extraneous 
materials, which are not designed to enhance performance . 
4.2.2  Cover ing 
The absorbent filler covering shall be made of good quality fabric with sufficient porosity to permit the 
assembled towel to meet the absorbency requireme nt. 
4.2.3  Protective barrier  
There s hall be no wetting of outer surface and no water penetration  of the bottom protective barrier,  when 
tested in accordance with Annex B . 
4.3 Workmanship and finish  
4.3.1  Absorbent filler  
The absorbent filler shall be:  
a) continuous and neatly cut to the required size;  
b) free from hard lumps;  
c) completely covered  and seale d; and 
d) free from wrinkles that are not a design feature.  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 3 
 4.3.2  Securing mechanism  
Sanitary towels shall have a securing mechanism. Any of the following may be use d: 
a) loops or tabs which shall extend beyond the length of the filler material;  
b) adhesive strip or pa tch; and  
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 sanitary towel when  in use.  
4.3.3  Protective barrier  
The sanitary towel shall have a protective barrier on one side, which shall be clearly identifiable with a mark, 
colour or some other means.  
4.3.4  Freedom from defects  
The sanitary towel when visually examined shall be fre e from defects, which affect the appearance and utility 
such as oil stains, dirt, soil particles a nd hard lumps.  
4.3.5  Prohibited substances  
Any additives or scents sh all not contain prohibited  substances  in accordance with the relevant parts of EAS 
377. 
4.4 Performance requirements  
The sanitary towel shall comply with the performance requirements give n in Table 1 when tested in 
accordance with the methods specified therein.  
Table 1 — Performance requirements for sanitary towels  
S/N Characteristic  Requireme nt Test method  
i Absorbency capacity  No leakage  Annex C  
ii Absorbency rate, s, max.  1st gush   10 
15 Annex  C  
2nd gush  
iii Rewet under load, g, max.  5 Annex C  
iv pH of aqueous extract  5.5 – 8.5 ISO 3071, Method Ba 
v Moisture content of filler mat erial, % m/m, max.  8 Annex D  
vi Water soluble extract of filler material, % , m/m, max.  1.0 Annex E 
vii Dimensions  of 
absorbent  filler, mm, 
min. Width  60 ISO 22198  
Length  180 
a For products containing SAP or jelly forms, during sample preparation d ilute 2 g of sample with 250 ml of 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) sanitary towels shall 
pass tests for sterility when tested in accordance with ISO 6887 -1. DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
4 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 4.5.2  When packed in non -sterile condition, disposable sanitary towels shall comply with the requirements 
given in Table 2 when tested in accordance with the test methods given therein:  
Table 2 — Microbiological requirements for disposable sanitary towels  
S/N Parameter  Requirement  Test method  
ii Total viable bacterial count, cfu/g, 
max.  1 000  ISO 21149  
iii Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cfu/g  Not detected  ISO 22 717 
iv Staphylococcus aureus , cfu/g  Not detected  ISO 22718  
vi Escheri chia coli , cfu/g  Not detected  ISO 21150  
 
4.6 Flushability  
When declared to  be flushable in water closets, sanitary towels shall be manufactured from dispersible 
material, which shall pass the test described in Annex F. 
5 Packaging  
5.1 Package  
Sanitary tow els shall be supplied in packages made of suitable materials, which are sea led so as to protect 
them from moisture, soiling and contamination during storage and transportation.  
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 packag es and protect the quality of the product during handling, transportation and 
storage.  
5.2.2  It shall be properly sealed to prevent the packages from spilling.  
5.2.3  Only packages w ith the same batch number and containing the same size shall be packed toge ther in 
a bulk package.  
6 Labelling  
6.1 Packages  
The following information shall appear legibly and indelibly on the outside of each package:  
a) manufacturer’s name and/or registered t rade mark;  
b) the words “Sanitary towels”, “Sanitary napkins” or “Sanitary pad s”; 
c) words ‘Sterile’ if applicable;  
d) words or symbol indicating whether flushable (if so declared/or claimed);  
e) securing mechanism;  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 5 
 f) number of sanitary towels in a package;  
g) batch identi fication number;  
h) country of manufacture;  
i) disposal instructions;  
j) storage ins tructions;  
k) date of manufacture;  
l) expiry date; and  
m) size of the sanitary towel  (such as “ normal/regular, long, extra -long” ); 
n) In case scents/fragrances are used, a declaration that the product is scented;  and 
o) product  composition (such as polyethylene, nylon, SAP) . 
6.2 Bulk packages  
The following information shall appear legibly and indelibly on the outside of each bulk package:  
a) manufacturer’s name and/or registered trade mark;  
b) the words “Sanitary towels/sanitary napkins/sanitary pads”;  
c) number of packages in a  bulk package;  
d) words ‘Sterile’ if applicable;  
e) words or symbol indicating whether flushable (if so declared/or claimed);  
f) size of the sanitary towel; and  
g) expiry date.  
7 Sampling  
7.1 Lot 
In any consignment all packages of the sanitary towels 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 r equirements of this 
specification.  
7.2.2  The number of packages to be sel ected from a lot shall be in accordance with Table 3.  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
6 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 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 packages and packages shall be selected at random.  
7.3 Number of tests  
7.3.1  Each package selected in accordance with Table 3 shall be inspected for packaging and labelling 
requir ements.  
7.3.3  Sanitary towels selected in accordance with Table 3 shall be examined for requirements given in 
Clause 4.  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 7 
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of water soluble colouring matter  
A.1 Principle  
Absorbent filler material is extracted in ethanol and  then viewed for any colouring matter  
A.2 Apparatus  
A.2.1  Weighing bala nce 
A.2.2  Narrow percolator  
A.2.3  Cylindrical glass tube  
A.3 Procedure  
Extract 10 g of absorbent filler material in 100 ml ethanol in a narrow percolator until 50 ml of the extract are 
obtained. Pour the liquid into a clean cylindrical glass tube at least 20 cm wide and view the layer on a white 
background.  
A.4 Test report  
Bluish or greenish shade indicates the presence of colouring substance.  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
8 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 Annex  B 
(normative)  
 
Determination of water -resistance of protective barrier (Cone test 
method)  
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 funnel  
B.1.3  Burette , for introducing water into the test piece  
B.2 Test piece preparation  
Cut a square tes t piece of approximately 6.5 mm in length from the protective barrier and fold into a cone 
without creasing the folds (see Figure B.1).  
 
Figure B.1 — Folding of specimens  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 9 
 
 
Figure B.2 — Test apparatus  
B.3 Procedure  
Assemble the apparatus as shown in Figu re 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.  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
10 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 Annex  C 
(normative)  
 
Determination of rate of absorption, absorptive capacity and rewet under 
load 
C.1 Principle  
A specific /fixed volume of test fluid is introduced to the sanitary pad under minimal pressure. The pad is then 
allowed t ime to absorb and retain the absorbed fluid after which a blotting paper is placed on the pad to 
absorb back the excess fluid.  
C.2 Apparatus and materials  
C.2.1 A rigid cover plate  with a weight as given below and shown in Figure C.1: 
Dimensions of the pla te (200 mm ± 2 mm) x (70 mm ± 2 mm). Inner diameter of cylinder  40 mm ± 2 mm, total  
Weight: 6300 g ± 10 g representing a pressure of 4.4 0 kPa ± 0.05 kPa (0.64 psi ± 0.007 psi) for all sizes.  
 
 
 
Base plate wit  h cylinder   
Weight    
Hollow  cylinder,  
ø =40 ± 2  mm   
Rigid cover  
plate   Weight    
Cross section  
of assembled  
cover plate  
and weight    
70 ± m 2 
m   
200 ± 2 mm   Rigid cover  
plate base    ø =40 ± 2 mm   DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 11 
 Figure C.1 — Apparatus and set up  
C.2.2 Filter paper/blotting paper,  having dimensions of 150 mm × 50 mm and conditioned together with 
the test samples  
C.2.3 Graduated cylinder , 1-ml graduation  
C.2.4 Stopwatch  
C.2.5 Ruler  (at leas t 2 cm longer as absorbent core of the sample, 1 -mm gra duation)  
C.2.6 Weighing scale,  with an accuracy of 0.01 g  
C.2.7 Test solution, 1 % solution  of potassium dichromate, made by dissolving 1 g K 2Cr2O7 in 100 ml 
distilled water  
C.2.8 Metallic block, of mass 1 kg and dimensions  150 mm × 50 mm × 15 mm  
C.3 Sample preparation and set -up  
C.3.1 General  
C.3.1.1  Condition the test samples in accordance with ISO 139 . 
C.3.1.2  Take five test specimens randomly from the test samples.  
C.3.2  Determination of absorb ency rate and absorbency capacity  
C.3.2.1 Measure th e length and width of the absorbent core and mark the midpoint, which will be the 
loading point.  
C.3.2.2 Place pad with top sheet facing upward on a flat surface . 
C.3.2.3 Place the rigid cover plate onto the sanitary pad ensuring that the plate is centered  towards with 
the cylindrical opening placed over marked loading point. Gently place weights on the plate, to give the 
desired pressure of 4.4 kPa ± 0.05 kPa . 
C.3.2.4 Fill the measuring cylinder with resp ective amount of saline solution;  
The following amo unt of test solution shall be used: two gushes of 15 ml each, at intervals of 2minutes to 
make a total of 30 ml.  
C.3.2.5 Gently pour the first 15ml of the test solution onto the pad starting the stopwatch  at the same time 
with the pouring;  
C.3.2.6 Stop th e stopwatch as soon as the test solution has been fully absorbed by the pad (i.e. all the 
wet sheen has disappeared). Record the time taken in seconds as the absorbency rate for the first gush.  
C.3.2.7  Leave the pad and test assembly undisturbed for 2 minu tes ± 5 seconds (from the start of the first 
gush) before introducing the second 15ml portion of the test solution. Similarly record the time taken in 
seconds as the absorbency rate for the second gush.  
C.3.2.8  Remove the weight and cover plate once the wh ole test solution has been absorbed. Leave pad 
undisturbed for a further 2minutes ± 5 seconds (from the start of the second gush)  
C.3.2.9  Note the absorbency capacity by observing the back and sides of ab sorbent core of the sanitary 
towel for any leakage.  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
12 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 C.3.3 Determination of rewet under load  
C.3.3.1  Weigh a stack of 5 dry filter papers/blotting papers and record the weight “W1”.  
C.3.3.2  After a period of 5  minutes ± 10 from the start of the second gush,  place the stack on the 
absorption point of the sani tary pad.  
C.3.3.3  Place the 1kg metallic block (2.8) on top of the stack of filter paper and leave undisturbed for 2 
minutes.  
C.3.3.4  After 2 min, remove the block and within 10 seconds determine the weig ht of the filter paper stack 
as “W2”.  
C.3.3.5  Calcul ation of results . 
 
where  
W1 is the weight of stack of dry filter paper; and   
W2 is the weight of stack of wet filter paper.  
C.3.4 Repeat the above procedure on the remaining 4 test specimens and record each result separately.  
C.3.5 Report the av erage of the 5 samples . 
 
 0 
Introduc e 
1st gush  0 1 2 3 4 5 7 6 
2 
Introduce 
2nd gush  8 9 
7 
Place filter 
paper  and 
1kg weight  9 
Remove 
1kg weight 
and weigh 
filter paper  Time, minutes  Preparation 
and set up  
4 
Observe 
leakage  
Record 
time taken 
to absorb 
1st gush Record 
time tak en 
to absorb 
2nd gush Remove 
cover plate 
once 2nd 
gush is 
absorbed  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 13 
 Annex  D 
(normative)  
 
Determination of moisture content  
D.1 Principle  
A specimen of specified mass of filler material of sanitary towel is dried in an oven at s pecified temperature 
and the moisture c ontent is determined.  
D.2 Apparatus  
D.2.1 Balance , with an accuracy of 0.05 % of the weighed mass  
D.2.2 Sample container , waterproof when sealed, will be used for transfer of analysed material and during 
weighing.  
D.2.3 Oven , well ventilated with a te mperature of 102 °C to 105 °C  
D.3 Sample preparation  
D.3.1 Take a sufficient number of dry sample containers, number them and take their masses after they are 
conditioned the samples according to ISO 139 . 
D.3.2 Take five random pieces each weighing 5 g from the absorbent filler material of sanitary towel.  
D.3.3 If the surrounding atmosphere is hot and humid, prevent water condensation on the internal and 
external surfaces of the container.  
D.3.4 Handle the test piec es gently to prevent dirt or changes in water content. Do not 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 wi th 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 surrounding pressure; weigh the container that holds the spe cimen again and calculate the 
weight  of the specimen.  
D.4.2 First cycle of drying will last at least 30 min. Return the container with the test pieces to the oven, for 
at least half the first cycles’ drying time. Take the container out and take the mass w ith the test pieces inside. 
Repeat t he 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 difference between two consecutive masses does 
not exceed 0.1 %  of the original mass of the specime n.  
D.5 Calculation  
Calculate the moisture content using the following formula and round the results up to the nearest 0.1 % .  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
14 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 
 
where 
a is weight of the container, in grams, with the specimen before drying;  
b is weight of the container, in grams, wit h the specimen after drying;  
c is weight of the container in grams ; and   
V is water content as percentage weight . DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 15 
 Annex  E 
(normative)  
 
Determination of water soluble extract  
E.1 Apparatus  
E.1.1 Weighing balance , sensitive t o 1 mg  
E.1.2 Conditioning  chamber   
E.1.3 Beaker , of more than 200 -ml capacity  
E.1.4 Measuring flask   
E.1.5 Steam bath   
E.1.6 Oven   
E.2 Procedure  
E.2.1 Weigh, approximately 12 g of the sample and expose to the standard atmosphere for testing textiles 
in accordance with ISO 139.  
E.2.2 Weigh, to the nearest milligram, the conditioned test specimen.  
E.2.3 Cut the test specimen into small pieces and boil the pieces in 200 ml of distilled water in a beaker for 
half an hour.  
E.2.4 Filter into a 500 -ml measur ing flask. Extrac t the test specimen twice again for 15 min each and filter 
the aqueous extract into the same flask. Pour the solution into a beaker and concentrate it to a small volume. 
Then transfer it to a dish of known mass, washing the beaker with a l ittle distilled w ater.  
E.2.5 Evaporate the contents of the dish on a steam bath and dry in an air oven at 105 °C to 110 °C. Cool 
the dish in a desiccator and weigh. Heat again at 105 °C to 110 °C in the dry oven for 30 min and cool the 
dish in the desicca tor and weigh.  
E.2.6 Repeat this process of heating, cooling and weighing until the difference in mass between two 
successive weights is less than one milligram.  
E.3 Calculation  
The water soluble extract content, expressed as percent by mass, shall be c alculated as f ollows:  
100×
  
where 
m0 is the mass, in grams, of the empty dish;  
m1 is the mass, in grams, of the dish with the residue after drying; and  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
16 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 m2 is the mass, in grams, of the dish with the material taken for the test.  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 17 
 Annex  F 
(normati ve) 
 
Determination of flushability  
F.1 Apparatus  
Use the flushing toilet equipment as described in Figure F.1. The pipes to the septic tank should be 
transparent acryl tubes to allow the sanitary end of the tube to an open tank so as to collect the product s.  
F.2 Test method  
Throw three sanitary towels of test samples into the chamber pot, and flush water (8 to 12 litres per time) from 
the flush tank.  
Dimensions in millimetres  
 
Figure F.1 — Flushing equipment  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
18 © EAC  2023 – All rights reserved  
 F.3 Test report  
Report whether the sanitary tow els are completely flushed down or not.  DEAS 96-1: 202 3 
© EAC 2023 – All rights r eserve d 19 
 Bibliography  
EAS 96-1: 2018 , Sanitary towels — Specification — Part 1: Disposable  (Second Edition)  
 DEAS 96-1: 2023   
 
© EAC 2023 – All rights reserved