ICS 71.100.35  
 to appear on the last page  
Reference number  
DRS 456 -1: 2021  
© RSB 2021  
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS  
456-1 
 
First edition  
Approved by RSB  2021 -mm-dd 
 
Surface disinfectants — Specification  — 
Part 1:  
Disinfectants for general use  
   
DRS 456 -1: 2021  
i                ©RSB 2021  - 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 2021  
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 
prior written permission  from R SB. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to : 
Rwanda Standards  Board  
P.O Box 7099 Kigali -Rwanda  
KK 15 Rd, 49  
Tel. +250 788303492  
Toll Free: 3250  
E-mail: info@rsb.gov.rw  
Website:  www.rsb.gov.rw  
ePortal: www.portal.rsb.gov.rw   DRS 456 -1: 2021  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  ii 
 Contents  Page 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  1 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  2 
4.1 Types  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  2 
4.2 Raw materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  2 
4.3 Active ingredients  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  2 
4.4 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  3 
4.5 Specif ic requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  3 
5 Packaging and labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  4 
5.1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 4 
5.2 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 4 
6 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 5 
Annex  A (normative)  Determination of corrosiveness  ................................ ................................ ........  7 
A.1 Corrosiveness to corrosion -resistant steel  ................................ ................................ ..............  7 
A.2 Corrosiveness to aluminium  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
Anne x B (normative)  Determination of storage stability  ................................ ................................ ..... 9 
B.1 Type 1 disinfectant/sanitizer  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 9 
B.2 Type 2 disinfectant/sanitizer  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 9 
Annex  C (normative)  Determination of freedom from visible impurities (type 2 
disinfectant/sanitizer)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  10 
Annex  D (normative)  Determination of water insoluble matter content  ................................ ..........  11 
D.1 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 11 
D.2 Calculation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 11 
 
 DRS 456 -1: 2021  
iii                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Rwanda Standard s are prepared  by Technical Committees and approved by R wanda Standards Board (RSB) 
Board  of Directors in  accordance with the procedures of RSB, in compliance with Annex 3 of the World Trade 
Organisation/Technical Barrier to Trade ( WTO/TBT ) agreement on the preparation, adoption and application of 
standards.  
The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards.  Final Draft Rwanda  Standards adopted 
by Technical committ ees are ratified  by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and gazettment as 
Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 456 -1 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 24, Organic and Inorganic Chemicals.  
In the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following standard:  
US 1693 : Disinfectants/Sanitizers — Specification  
The assistance de rived from the above source is hereby acknowledged with thanks.  
DRS  456 consists of the following parts, under the general title Surface disinfectants — Specification : 
 Part 1: Disinfectants for general use  
 Part 2: Disinfectants based of iodophors  
Part 3: Disinfectants based on glutaraldehyde  
Committee membership  
The follow ing organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Organic and Inorganic Chemicals 
(RSB/TC 24) in the preparation of this standard.  
Star Construction and Consultancy Ltd  
Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority  
Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority  
Rwanda Investigation Bureau  
Rwanda Forensic Laboratory  
Rwanda Social Security Board  
Rwanda Environment Management Authority  DRS 456 -1: 2021  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  iv 
 BARANYUZWE Cosmetics Ltd  
SULFO Rwanda Industries Ltd  
UBURANGA Natural Products  
Divine Hope Company L td 
University of Rwanda /College of Medicine and Health Sciences  
University of Rwanda /College of Sciences and Technology  
University of Rwanda /College of Education  
Rwanda Polytechnic – IPRC Kigali  
Standards for Sustainability (SfS)  
Rwanda  Standards Board  (RSB) – Secretariat  DRS 456 -1: 2021  
v                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Introduction  
Surfaces frequently touched with hands are most likely to be contaminated. These include doorknobs, handrails, 
elevator buttons, light switches, cabinet handles, faucet handles, tables, countertops and electronics.  
When cle aning public spaces, choose products that clean and disinfect all at once (e.g. premixed store -bought 
disinfectant cleaning solutions and/or wipes when available).  
a) Cleaning products remove germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces by using soap (or deterg ent) and 
water. Cleaning does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk 
of spreading infection.  
b) Disinfecting products kill germs on surfaces using chemicals.  
This document provides guidance on disinfecting  products  of public settings, including schools, universities, 
public libraries, museums, public transit, communal residences and workplaces.  
 
 DRS 456 -1: 2021  
1                ©RSB 2020  - All rights reserved  
 
 Surface disinfectants  — Specification  — Part 1: Disinfectants for general 
use 
1 Scope  
This Draft  Rwanda Standard  specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for disinfectants intended for 
general use on inanimate surfaces including food contact and non -food contact surfaces.  
It is applicable to disinfectants represented for use on no -critical medical devices, environmental surfaces and 
other inanimate objects.  
It does not apply to disinfectants containing iodophor (s) and aldehydes as active ingredients.  
NOTE 1  Using this standard, it is not possible to determine the bactericidal activity of the undiluted produ ct. Some dilution 
is always produced by the addition of inoculum, standard hard water and sterile skimmed milk.  
NOTE 2  If a product complies with the test requirements, it can be considered to be bactericidal, but it should not 
necessarily be inferred that  the product is a suitable disinfectant/sanitizer for a defined purpose.  
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 referenc es, only the edition  cited applies. For undated references, the 
latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
RS EAS 384 , Disinfectants  — Glossary of terms  
DRS 457 , Determination of bactericidal efficacy of disinfectants  
ISO 15510, Stainless steels — Chemical composition  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in RS EAS 384 and the following apply.  
3.1 
active ingredient  
any chemical or biological component that include s in the formulation of a disinfectant/sanitizer product in 
sufficient concentration to achieve the intended anti -microbial purpose of the specific product.  
  
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 3.2 
inanimate surface  
any surface other tha n live human or live tissue (e.g., skin)  
3.3 
lot 
quantity of disinfectant in sealed containers of the same size and bearing the same batch identification, from 
one manufacturer, submitted at any one time for inspection and testing  
3.4 
main active ingredient  
active ingredient present s in highest quantity or concentration in a disinfectant product  
3.5 
standard conditions  
temperature of 25 °C ± 2 °C and a relative humidity of 50% ± 5% 
4 Requirements  
4.1 Types  
The product shall be one of the following types:  
Type 1 : a homogeneous liquid/gel; or  
Type 2 : a solid, sup plied in form of tablets, free -flowing beads, granules or powder.  
4.2 Raw materials  
The product shall not contain ingredients that are recognized as being potentially hazardous or toxic when used 
in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, nor shall  they form toxic or potentially toxic reaction 
products.  
4.3 Active ingredients  
4.3.1  The product shall contain one or a mixture of which permit the product to serve its purpose.  
NOTE  A mixture of active ingredients is permitted pro vided that the ingredients a re compatible and do not interact in a 
manner that reduces the product activity.  
4.3.2  Active ingredients and their concentrations as per listed in table 1 shall ensure the declared efficacy 
and shall be safe and approved by competent authority.   
3                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Table 1 — Active ingredients and their working concentrations  
S/N Active ingredient  Working 
concentration  Contact time 
(minutes)  
1.  Accelerated hydrogen peroxide1 0.5 %, min.  1 
2.  Benzalkonium chloride2 0.05 %, min.  10 
3.  Chloroxylenol  0.12 %, min.  10 
4.  Ethyl alcohol  70 %, min.  10 
5.  Isopropanol  70 %, min.  10 
6.  Sodium hypochlorite  0.05 – 0.5 %  5 
7.  Active chlorine generated from other 
precursors3 0.476 – 4.762 g/L  5 
8.  Sodium chlorite  0.25 %, min.  10 
NOTE 1 Product with hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient  will be assessed on a case -by-case basis; 
efficacy reports should be provided by the supplier  
NOTE 2 Alternative name: Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride  
NOTE 3 Active chlorine could be generated from other precursors such as calcium hypochlorite, hy drochloric 
acid, sodium chloride, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, tosylchloramide sodium, and tichloroisocyanuric acid, 
under certain conditions.  
 
4.4 General requirements  
4.4.1  The product shall not:  
a) Leave an objectionable odour on surfaces; and  
b) Impart any colo ur, taste, odour or flavour to food products or drinking water, when used in accordance 
with the manufacturer’s recommendations.  
4.4.2  The product intended to use on food contact surfaces, including water contact surface, shall not contain 
perfumes.  
4.5 Specific requirements  
The product shall also comply with the specific requirements given in the table 1 when tested in accordance 
with the corresponding test method.  
 
 
  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  4 
 
 Table 1 – Specific requirements for surface disinfectants for general use  
S/N Characteristic Requirement Test method Type 1  Type 2  
i) 
Corrosiveness  Corrosion -resistant steel, 
mg/100 mm2, max.  0.05 
Annex A Aluminium test strip  No evidence of pitting, etching or 
discolouration  
ii) Storage stab ility Homogene ous 
and free -flowing  Not cake into 
lumps  Annex B 
iii) Freedom from visible impurities  - Pass the test  Annex C 
iv) Water insoluble matter content, max.  5 g/L  2.5% (by mass)  Annex D 
v) Bactericidal efficacy and suitability for the 
purpose  To pass the test  DRS 457  
Annex E 
5 Packaging and labelling  
5.1 Packaging  
5.1.1  The container (including the closure) in which the product is packaged shall not interact chemically and 
physically with the product and shall be strong enough to protect the product adequately during normal handling, 
transportation and storage.  
5.1.2  The closure shall not be made of cork or of any material that contains cork.  
5.1.3  Only packs of the same size and bearing the same batch identification shall be  packaged together in 
a bulk pack.  
5.2 Labelling  
5.2.1  The following information shall appear prominently, legibly and indelibly on each product container or 
on a label securely attached to each container:  
a) the manufacturer’s name or trademark, or both;  
b) a statement that the product is a disinfectant and the ma in active ingredient used in its formulation  
c) a statement of the nominal volume or mass of the contents in metric units;  
d) an indication of the intended use areas for which the product is claimed to be suitable;  
NOTE  1 Intended use areas may include one or mo re of the following: general residential settings, industrial/institutional 
settings (such as commercial settings, schools and offices), hospitals (for non -critical medical devices), food processing/food 
handling areas and equipment, barns/animal housing s ettings and any other specific area.  
e) general instructions for use of the product. The instructions shall include the recommended 
concentration, dilution level and the minimum exposure period for each purpose;  
f) hazard and toxicity warnings, where relevant;   
5                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 g) a statement about the safety precautions to be taken when using the product and the first aid steps to 
be taken in case of direct ingestion or skin contact;  
h) the bath identification number, or the production date of the batch or both;  
i) the expiry date of the product, where relevant;  
j) adequate draining, rinsing and/or drying requirements from surfaces after use;  
k) appropriate instructions for the storage of the product, including a warning to store away from children; 
and 
l) a warning to avoid contact with known inc ompatible substances, items and foodstuffs (see Annex F).  
N0TE 2  The manufacturer should substantiate any virucidal claim made about the product.  
6 Sampling  
6.1 General  
The following sampling procedure shall be applied in determining whether a lot submitted for  inspection and 
testing complies with the relevant requirements of this standard. The sample so  drawn shall be deemed to 
represent the lot.  
6.2 Sample for inspection  
After inspecting the lot for compliance with  Clause 4,  take, at random, the number of containe rs, as  relevant, 
shown in column 2 of Table 2, relative to the appropriate lot size shown in column 1.  
Table 2 — Samples for inspection and testing  
Lot size 
(number of containers) Sample size for ph ysical 
examination 
(number of containers) Sample size for micro biological 
examin ation 
(number of containers) 
0 to 5 000  3 3 
5 001  to 12 5 00 6 3 
12 501 to 25 0 00 9 3 
25 001 to 50 0 00 16 3 
50 001 upwards 30 3 
6.3 Sample for testing  
After inspection of the containers taken in accordance with 6.2, 
a) take, at random, half the number of containers and use them for the storage stability test; and   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  6 
 
 b) thoroughly mix the contents of each of the remaining containers and, take from each container the lesser 
of the total volume and 250 mL, and obtain a composite test sample by co mbining and thoroughly mixing 
these quantities. Use these samples for testing for compliance with the requirements of Clause 4.  
 
  
7                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of corrosiveness  
A.1 Corrosiveness to corrosion -resistant steel  
A.1.1  Test strips  
Use one strip, of size approximately 80 mm x 25 mm x 1 mm, of a hot -rolled, annealed and polished stainless  
steel that complies with the requirements for grade X2CrNi18 -9 as specified in ISO 15510.  
A.1.2  Procedure  
A.1.2.1  Accurately determine the total area of the surfaces of the steel test strip and degrease it by washing in 
a mixture of equal volumes of ethanol and acetone. After allowing the strip to air -dry, heat it for 30 min in an 
oven maintained at 105 °C ± 5 °C, cool it in a desiccator and immediately determine its m ass to the nearest 0.1 
mg. 
A.1.2.2  Prepare the test solution of the product under test, at the concentration recommended by the 
manufacturer, and transfer 250 mL of the freshly prepared solution to a suitably stoppered glass bottle.  
A.1.2.3  Completely imme rse the test strip  in the solution in the glass bottle. Stopper the bottle and maintain it 
at 25 °C ± 2 °C for 16 h.  
A.1.2.4  Remove the test strip from the test solution, rinse it thoroughly, first with water, then with acetone, and 
allow it to air -dry. Then heat the test strip for 30 min in an oven maintained at 105 °C ± 5 °C, cool it in the 
desiccator, and immediately determin e its mass to the nearest 0.1 mg.  
A.1.2.5  Examine the test strip for compliance with the requirements.  
A.1.3  Calculation  
The loss in mass, M, expressed in milligrams per 100 square millimetres (mg/100mm2) of surface area, shall be 
calculated as follows:  
  M =100
𝐴 𝑥 (𝑚1−𝑚2) 
Where,  
 M is the loss in mass, in milligrams per 100 square millimetres, of the steel test strip,  
 A is the total surface area, in square millimetres,  
 m1 is the mass, in milligrams, of the test strip before the test, and   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  8 
 
  m2 is the mass, in milligrams, of the test strip after the test.  
A.2 Corrosiveness to aluminium  
A.2.1  Test strips  
Use two strips, each of size approximately 75 mm x 19 mm x 1.5 mm, of bright -finished uncoated aluminium 
Type EN AW 1050A.  
A.2.2  Procedure  
NOTE  Should the m ass loss evaluation method be  required for the corrosiveness to aluminium, use the procedure 
given in A.1.2.  
A.2.2.1  Degrease the aluminium test strips by washing in a mixture of equal volumes of ethanol and acetone. 
Allow the strips to air -dry, then heat them for 15 min in an oven at 105 °C ± 5 °C and allow them to cool in a 
desiccator.  
A.2.2.2  Prepare the test solution of the product under test, at the highest concentration recommended by the 
manufacturer, and transfer 250 mL of the freshly prepared solut ion to a suitably stoppered glass bottle.  
A.2.2.3  Completely immerse the test strips (see A.2.1) in the solution in the glass bottle . Stopper the bottle and 
maintain the bottle at 25 °C ± 2 °C for 16 h.  
A.2.2.4  Remove the test strips from the test solution , rinse them thoroughly with water and then acetone and 
allow to air -dry. Then heat the test strips for 30 min in an oven at 105 °C ± 5 °C and cool in a desiccator.  
A.2.2.5  Remove the test strips, and visually inspect them for evidence of pitting, etching or discoloration.  
A.2.2.6 Examine the test strips for compliance with the requirements.  
 
   
9                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  B 
(normative)  
 
Determination of storage stability  
B.1 Type 1 disinfectant/sanitizer  
B.1.1  Store each disinfectant/sanitizer in its original unopened container at 5 °C ± 1 °C for 24 h.  
B.1.2  Check for compliance with 4.5.2.1.  
B.2 Type 2 disinfectant/sanitizer  
B.2.1  Store each disinfectant/sanitizer in its original unopened container under standard conditions for six 
months.  
B.2.2  Check the compliance with 4.5.2.2.   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  10 
 
 Annex  C 
(normative)  
 
Determination of freedom from visible impurities (type 2 
disinfectant/sanitizer)  
C.1 Spread approximately 50 g of each test sample over the bottom of a 150 -mm diameter Petri dish.  
C.2 Check for compliance with 4.5.3 by viewing at a range of approximately 600mm.   
11                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  D 
(normative)  
 
Determination of water insoluble matter content  
D.1 Procedure  
D.1.1  Pipette 5.0 ml of a type 1 disinfectant/sanitizer, or place 2 g of a type 2 disinfectant/sanitizer into a 
beaker and add 250 ml of standard hard water.  
D.1.2  Heat in a ste am bath with frequent stirring until the sample is completely dispersed.  
D.1.3  Filter the solution immediately, under suction, through a tarred 1.6 -µm glass fibre filter and ensure that 
the insoluble matter is quantitatively trans ferred to the filter.  
D.1.4  Wash the beaker and the residue five times with 20 ml volumes of hot standard hard water. Wash the 
filter with distilled water (to remove salts from the hard water).  
D.1.5  Allow the solution to drain completely and dry the residue at 105 °C ± 2 °C un til constant mass is 
attained. Cool in a desiccator and weigh.  
D.2 Calculation  
Type 1 disinfectant/sanitizer  
The water -insoluble matter content in the test solution, expressed in grams per litre (g/l), shall be calculated 
using the following formula:  
 Water -insoluble matter content =𝑚
𝑉 
Where,  
 m is the mass, in grams, of the residue after it has been dried; and  
 V is the volume, in litres, of the test solution.  
Type 2 disinfectant/sanitizer  
The water -insoluble matter content, S, expressed as a percent age by mass (%), shall be calculated using the 
following formula:  
  𝑆=𝑚2
𝑚1 𝑋 100  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  12 
 
 Where,  
 m1  is the mass, in grams, of the test sample taken; and  
 m2  is the mass, in grams, of the residue after it has been dried.  
  
13                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
[1] ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, Rules for the structure and drafting of International Standards , 2016  
[2] ISO/IEC  TR 10000 -1, Information technology  — Framework and taxonomy of International Standardized 
Profiles  — Part 1: General principles and documentation framework  
 [9] IEC 60027 (all parts), Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology  
[10] ISO 80000 -1, Quantities and units — Part 1: General  
[11] ISO 690, Documentation  — Bibliographic references  — Content, form and structure