KENYA STANDARD    DKS 2720                        
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-woven Disposable  wet  Wipes  —     
Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 20 16          First Edition 20 16     CD/EITL/2 :2015                          
 
ii  © KEBS 20 15 — All rights reserved  TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
 
The fol lowing organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
 
Nursing Council of Kenya  
University of Nairobi – School of Medicine  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute  
Kenya Medical Association  
National Environmental Management Author ity 
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority  
Radbone Clark  
Procter and Gamble  
KIM FAY East Africa Ltd  
Chalange Industries  
Consumer Information Network  
The Nairobi Hospital  
Nairobi Enterprises  
Ministry of Health – Public Health  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretar iat 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standa rds, are 
welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 20 15 
 
Copyright:  Users are reminded that by virtue of S ection 6 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of the Laws of Kenya, 
copyright subsists in all Kenya Standard s and except as provided under S ection 7 of th is Act, no Kenya 
Standard 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.   
© KEBS 20 15 — All rights reserved   iii  
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA STANDARD           DKS 2720 :2016                       
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-woven  disposable wet  wipes  — 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:ht tp://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) 2 10553, 210555  
Fax: (+254 041) 229448    Fax: (+254 057) 21814  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      CD/EITL/2 :2015                          
 
iv  © KEBS 20 15 — All rights reserved   
 
Foreword  
 
This standard has been prepared by the Technical Committee on Towels, Medical and Hygienic 
Textile Products under guidance of the Textile Industry Standards Committee , and it is in accordance 
with the procedures of the Kenya Bureau of Standards.  
 
Non-woven  disposable wet  wipes are generally used for cleaning purposes.  
 
 
During the preparation of this standard , reference was made to the following documents:  
 
 SANS 1245: 2012 Ed ition 1 , Non-woven cleaning wipes.  
 
  
  
 
Note:  All hygienic products are  subject to  strict regulatory controls and  procedural guidelines to ensure their 
safety  and efficacy  to the consumer . Many  regulatory agencies  (e,g the U.S.Food and Drug 
administratio n(FDA)  and standards organizations   (ISO, IEC, KEBS )  in various countries collaborate to 
establish the accepted standards and are integral in monitoring compliance to those standards .  
  
Acknowledg ement is hereby made for the assistance derived from thes e sources .  
© KEBS 2015  — All rights reserved                                                                                                                  1 KENYA STANDARD                 DKS 2720 :2016                          
 
 
Non-woven disposable  wet wipes  — Specification  
 
1 Scope  
 
This Kenya Standard specifies  minimum  requireme nts for disposable Non-woven disposable  wet 
wipes . This standard does not apply to alcohol swabs . 
 
2 Normative References  
The following standards were used as normative references.  
 
KS ISO 139:2005  – Conditions for testing of textiles  
KS ISO 1833 -1:2006 – Fibre composition  
KS 2659:2016 Packaging of textile products -Code of practice (First Edition)  
KS ISO 9073 - Test methods for nonwovens -Part 1: Determination of mass per unit area  
KS ISO 9073 -18 Test methods for nonwovens -- Part 18: Determination of breaking strength and 
elongation of nonwoven materials using the grab  tensile test  
KS ISO 3071:2005 –determination of pH of the aqueous extract of textiles.  
KS ISO 21149:2006 -Microbiology -- Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria  
KS ISO 22717:2015 - Microbiology - Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  
KS IS O 22718:2015 - Microbiology - Detection of Staphylococcus aureus.  
KS ISO 18416:2015 - Microbiology - Detection of Candida albicans.  
KS ISO 21150:2015 - Microbiology - Detection of Escherichia coli.  
3  Definitions  
For the purpose of this Kenya Standard , the following definitions shall apply:  
 
3.1absorbency time  
rate at which a liquid is dispersed into the non -woven  disposable  wet  wipe 
3.2  
acceptable  
acceptable to the authority administering this standard, or to the parties concluding the purchase  
contrac t, as relevant  
3.3 
length of piece  
distance between the beginning and the end of the sample in the lengthwise or machine direction  
3.4 
overall width of piece  
distance between the outermost edges of the sample measured perpendicular to the longitudinal edge s 
3.5 
usable width of piece  
width of the fabric excluding any selvedge materials, marks, pin -holes or other non -homogeneous areas of 
the fabric.  
3.6 
Non woven :  
nonwovens are structures of textile materials, such as fibres, continuous filaments, or chopped  yarns of any 
nature or origin, that have been formed into webs by any means, and bonded together by any means, 
excluding the interlacing of yarns as in woven fabric, knitted fabric, laces, braided fabric or tufted fabric  
 
 
Note 2 to entry: Film and paper structures are not considered as nonwovens.  
 
NOTE For some end uses or specifications, the usable width may be defined differently, as agreed between the  interested parties.  
 
 
 
4 Requirements     CD/EITL/2:2015                          
2  © KEBS 20 15 — All rights reserved  4.1 General  
Non-woven disposable wet  wipes shall   
4.1.1 be in ac cordance  with good manufacturing practices.  
4.1.2 be of a non -woven construction,  
4.1.3 be of acceptable uniform make and finis h, 
4.1.4 be free from defects that might impair their appearance or serviceability ( or both).  
4.1.5 be made from active ingredien ts that comply with the current approved U.S.Food and Drug 
administration(FDA)  list .  
 
4.2 Properties of non -woven  wet wipes  
Non-woven hygienic wet wipes shall comply with the requirements given in table 1  
 
 Characteristic  Unit  Requirement  
 Test method  
 
Fibre Composition   % A blend of at least 20 % 
cellulose and the remaining 
percentage of 80 % polyester  
  
KS ISO 1833 -1:2006  
Size Length  mm As declared on the label  Annex B  
 Width  
 
Mass per unit 
area  Total length   
g/m2, min.   
36  
KS ISO 9073 -1 Total width  
Mass piece  
 
Breaking 
Strength  
 Machine direction  
Dry  
Wet  
Cross Section   
Dry  
Wet  N,min  
 
  
60 
30                           
 
KS ISO 9073 -18 
 
3,5 
2,5 
Absorbency Time (max)(for 
manufacturer)  s 5 
          Annex A  
pH  5.5-8.0 KS ISO 3071:2005  
Moisture content  % Above 50%  Annex  C  
Anti-Bacterial activity (if declared) 
minimum  Anti-bacterial 
activity value  
(A)    2 KS ISO 20743 -2013  
Total Viable Count  cfu/g  100 KS ISO 21149:2006  
 Pseudomonas aeruginosa   Not detectable per g ram of 
sample  KS ISO 22717:2015  
Staphylococcus aureus   Not detectable per gram of 
sample  KS ISO 22718:2015  
Candida albicans   Not detectable per gram of 
sample  KS ISO 18416:2015  
E.coli   Not detectable per gram of 
sample  KS ISO 21150:2015  
No of wipes.  pcs As declared  Sensory  
Flushability    KS EAS  96:2008    CD/EITL/2 :2016                         
© KEBS 2016  — All rights reserved   3 5 Methods of test  
 
5.1.1 Conditioning  
Condition the test samples in accordance with KS ISO 139:2005  
5.1.2 Fibre composition  
Use KS ISO 1833 -1:2006 . Check for compliance with table 1.  
5.1.3 Size  
Check Annex B .  
5.1.4 Mass per unit area  
KS ISO 9073 -1. Check for compliance with table 1.  
5.1.5 Breaking strength, dry  
Use KS ISO 9073 -18. Check for compliance with table 1.  
 
5.1.6 Breaking strength, wet  
Use KS ISO 9073 -18, but immerse each sample before te sting for at least 60 s in distilled water and test  
each specimen immediately after removal from the water. Check for compliance with table 1.  
 
    CD/EITL/2:2015                          
4  © KEBS 20 15 — All rights reserved   
6 Packaging and marking  
 
6.1       Packaging  
Non woven disposable wet wipes shall be packaged  according to KS 2659:2016 
Packaging of textile products -Code of practice (First Edition)  
6.1.1   The wipes  shall be packed in a suitable package that shall protect them from any form of     
           contamination  and damage.  
6.1.2  The primary pack seal shall be secure and allow  resealing as many times as possible 
ensuring wet wipe is not dry.  
6.1.2   Shall  be delivered in a clean and commercially dry condition . 
6.1.3     Only non -woven  wet wipes of the same size shall be packed together in secondary package . 
 
6.2 Markin g 
 
6.2.1 The primary  packs shall be marked with legible and indelible pre -printed marking bearing the 
followi ng information:  
 
a) Manufacturer’s  name, address and/or trade mark;  
 
b) Importer/distributors name, address ( if applicable )  
 
c) number of wipes  in a pack;  
 
d) Intended use e.g  baby, adult, facial, skin  
 
e) size of wipe in the pack  
 
f) Ingredients “ fibre content” or “material content”.  
 
g) instru ction for use, storage and disposal;  
 
h) country of origin;  
 
i) date of manufacture and expiry; or best before;  
 
j) batch number.  
 
k) warranty period  
 
l) Each package shall have the relevant  quality mark  
 
6.2.2 Secondary Packaging  
 
The outside of each secondary package  shall bear the following information in legible and indelible marking:  
a) the manufacturer’s name and/or registered trade m ark ; 
b) the words “ non woven disposable wet wipes ”. 
c) The number of packages  
d) Quality Mark    CD/EITL/2 :2016                         
© KEBS 2016  — All rights reserved   5  
 
 
 
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 maintain ed at room temperature.  
 
A.1.2  Stop watch , 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.1.5 Forceps  
 
A.2 Preparation of test specimens  
 
Take three test specimens, each of mass at least 1 g and composed of a number of pinches of fibres taken from 
widely separated parts of the conditioned laboratory sample.  
 
A.3 Procedure  
 
A.3.1  Compress the fir st test specimen to a volume of approximately 20 mL.  
 
A.3.2   By means of the forceps (see 3.2), place the test specimen lightly on the surface of the distilled water  
(see 3.3) and simultaneously start the stopwatch (see 3.4).  
 
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 three  test specimens.  
 
A.4 Calculation  
 
Calculate, to the nearest second, the arithmetic mean of the three test results.  
 
A.5 Test Report   
  
Report the following information:  
 
a) all the data needed to identify the laboratory sample tested;  
b) confirmation that the test was carried out in accordance with this  standard;  
c) any deviation from this standard; and  
d) the mean absorbency rate, expressed in seconds, of the absorbent cotton wool.  
 
 
    CD/EITL/2:2015                          
6  © KEBS 20 15 — All rights reserved   
 
 
Annex B  
(Normative)  
Method for determination of Length and width  
 
B.1Apparatus  
 
B.1.1 Steel scale that is of a length  exceeding the width of the fabric to be measured, and is 
graduated in centimeters  and millimeters . 
 
B.1.2 Marking Pen  
 
B .2   Procedure  
 
B.2.1 Procedure for Width   
 
B.2.1.1 Lay the test sample flat and full width (without subjecting it to tension) on a plane surface 
and condition it in that state for at least 24 h in accordance with KS ISO 139:2005  
. 
B.2.1.3 Take, to the nearest 1 mm, five measurements across the overall width or between the  
innermost selvedge threads (as relevant) of the conditioned tes t sample at approximately equal  
intervals throughout its length.  
 
B.2.1.4  Calculation  
Calculate the arithmetic mean of the five measurements and record it as the width of the sample.  
 
B.2.2 Procedure for Length  
Take a laboratory sample as specified in th e relevant product specification. Where no  specification 
exists, take the laboratory sample as agreed upon between the test laboratory and the  
manufacturer to ensure a reasonable and acceptable reliability at a reasonable and acceptable  
confidence level.   
 
B.2.2.1 Lay the laboratory sample flat and full width (without subjecting it to tension) on a plane  
surface and condition it in that state for at least 24 h in accordance with KS ISO 139:2005  
. 
B.2.2.2 From the conditioned laboratory sample cut a test spe cimen across the full width of the  
laboratory sample along a datum line drawn (see 3.1) at right angles to the selvedges and as close  
as possible to the beginning and the end of the laboratory sample.  
 
B.2.2.3 Take, to the nearest millimeter , five measurem ents (see B.1.2) of the length of the test 
specimen at  approximately equal intervals across its width.  
 
B.2.2.4 Calculation  
Calculate the arithmetic mean of the five measurements and record it as the length, in metres  
(accurate to the nearest centimeter ), of the laboratory sample.  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
   CD/EITL/2 :2016                         
© KEBS 2016  — All rights reserved   7 Annex C  
(normative)  
Determination of moisture content  
 
C.1 Principle  
A specimen of specified mass of filler material of the non-woven  disposable wet wipe  is dried in an oven at 
specified temperature and  the moisture con tent is determined.  
 
C.2 Apparatus  
 
C.2.1 Balance , with an accuracy of 0.05 % of the weighed mass  
C.2.3 Sample container  ,Waterproof when sealed, will be used for transfer of analyzed material and during    
weighing.  
C.2.4 Oven , well ventilated with a temp erature of 102 0C to 105 0C 
 
C.3 Sample preparation  
 
C.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 surround ing 
atmosphere. Then leave them open until you take the test piece.  
 
C.3.2 Take 5 random pieces of the wet wipe . The test pieces shall weigh 5 g.  
 
C.3.3 If the surrounding atmosphere is hot and humid, prevent water condensation on the internal and  
externa l surfaces of the container.  
 
C.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.  
 
C.4 Procedure  
 
C.4.1 Dry the test pieces in an oven with a temperature of 102ºC to 1050C. 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 surroun ding pressure, weigh the container that holds the specimen again and calculate the  
weight of the specimen.  
C.4.2 First cycle of drying will last at least 30 minutes. 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 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 differen ce between two consecutive masses does  
not exceed 0.1 % of the original mass of the specimen.  
 
C.5 Calculations  
Calculate the moisture content using the following formula and round the results up to the nearest 0.1 %.  
 
V = 100 a-b 
                   a  
 
 
where,  
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 %).