AFRICAN 
STANDARD  DARS  
1465  
First Edition 2018  
 
 Reference No. ARS 1465: 2018 (E) 
ICS 71.100.40  
 
 
© ARSO 2018  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liquid detergents — Hand dishwashing and light duty — 
Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DARS 1465: 2018  
ii © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved   
Table of contents  
 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  1 
3 Definitions and abbreviations  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  1 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 1 
4.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 1 
4.2 Consistency  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4.3 Odour  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 2 
4.5 Insoluble matter  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  2 
4.6 pH Value  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
4.7 Rinsing properties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4.8 Cleaning efficiency  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
4.9 Storage stability  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  2 
5 Sampling and compliance with the standard  ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
5.1 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
5.2 Compliance with the standard  ................................ ................................ ...............................  3 
6 Inspection and methods of test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
6.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 3 
6.2 Inspection ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  3 
6.3 Test samples  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  3 
6.4 Standard hard water  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  3 
6.5 Insoluble matter  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  3 
6.6 pH value  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 4 
6.7 Rinsing properties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  4 
6.8 Cleaning efficiency  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  4 
7 Packing and marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  7 
7.1 Packing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
7.2 Marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  9 DARS 1465: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  iii  
Forewo rd 
 
The African Organization for Standardization (ARS O) is an African intergovernmental organization 
established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Organization of 
African Unity (AU)  in 1977 . One of the fundamental mandate s of ARSO is to develop and harmoniz e 
African Standards (ARS) for the purpose of enhancing Africa’s internal trading capacity, increase 
Africa’s product and service competitiveness globally and uplift the welfare of African communities. 
The work of prepari ng African  Standards is normally carried out through ARSO  technical committees. 
Each Member State  interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has 
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, Regional Economic 
Communities (RECs), governmental and non -governmental  organizations , in liaison with ARSO , also 
take part in the work.  
 
ARSO  Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.  
 
The main task of te chnical committees is to prepare ARSO  Standards. Draft ARSO  Standards 
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an 
ARSO  Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote . 
 
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of 
patent rights. ARSO  shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
 
This African Standard was prepared by the ARSO Techn ical Harmonization Committee Number 5 on 
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (ARSO/THC 05).  
 
 
 
 
 
© African Organisation for Standardisation  2018 — All rights reserved* 
 
ARSO Central Secretariat  
International House 3rd Floor  
P. O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Squa re 
NAIROBI, KENYA  
 
Tel. +254 -20-2224561, +254 -20-3311641, +254 -20-3311608  
 
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Web: www.arso -oran.org  
                                                 
* 2018 ARSO — All rights of exploitation reserved worldwide for African Member States’ NSBs. 
 DARS 1465: 2018  
iv © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved   
 
Copyright notic e 
 
This ARSO document is copyright -protected by ARSO. While the reproduction of this document 
by participants in the ARSO standards development process is permitted without prior 
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addressed as shown below or to ARSO’s member body in t he country of the requester:  
 
 
© African Organisation for Standardisation 2018  — All rights reserved  
 
ARSO Central Secretariat  
International House 3rd Floor  
P.O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Square  
NAIROBI, KENYA  
 
Tel: +254 -20-2224561, +254 -20-3311641, +254 -20-3311608  
 
 
E-mail: arso@arso -oran.org  
Web: www.arso -oran.org  
 
Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing a greement. 
Violators may be p rosecuted.  
 
 
 
 
 DARS 1465: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  1  
Liquid detergents — Hand dishwashing and light duty — 
Specification  
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This African Standard specifies the requirements of liquid detergents for use in soft or hard water for 
hand dishwashing and for the cleaning of hard surfaces such as painted surfaces, floors, ceilings, 
ceramic and plastics tiles, and the surfaces of equipment.  
 
2 Normative references  
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dat ed 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
 
ISO 2271 , Surface active agents — Detergents — Determination of anionic -active matter by manual 
or mec hanical direct two -phase titration procedure  
 
CD-ARS 1466:2017, General purpose detergent (beads, granules and powders)  
 
ISO 10523, Water quality — Determination of pH  
 
EN 1676, Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Alloyed ingots for remelting — Specifications  
 
3 Definitions  and abbreviations  
 
For the purpose of this standard the following definitions apply.  
 
3.1 
acceptable  
acceptable to the authority administering this standard, or to the parties concluding the purchase 
contract, as relevant  
 
3.2 
batch  
materia l from a single mix or, in the case of a continuous production process, the material from a 
single day's production  
 
3.3 
defective  
detergent or a container that fails in one or more respects to comply with the relevant requirements of 
this standard  
 
3.4 
lot 
quantity of detergent bearing the same batch identification, from one manufacturer, and submitted at 
any one time for inspection and testing  
 
4 Requirements  
 
4.1 General  
 
4.1.1  The detergent shall be a uniform aqueous solution, which, if so required, may  be coloured. It 
shall be free from abrasives and organic solvents, and shall remain homogeneous during storage at  
ambient temperature.  AFRICAN STANDARD  DARS 1465: 2018  
2 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved   
4.1.2  It shall not be irritating to the normal skin and  shall not contain any ingredients in a quantity 
that is toxic to human beings.  
 
4.2 Consistency  
 
On being cooled to 4.5 °C ± 0.5 °C for 24 h, the detergent shall show no separation and shall remain 
liquid.  
 
4.3 Odour  
 
4.3.1  When so required, the detergent shall be perfumed. The detergent and a solution of the 
deterge nt in water at 60 °C ± 2 °C shall have an acceptable odour.  
 
4.3.2  During storage at ambient temperature, the odour of the detergent shall remain such as to be 
acceptable, and when perfumed, the fragrance shall not change.  
 
4.5 Insoluble matter  
 
When deter mined in accordance with 6.5, the insoluble matter content shall not exceed a mass 
fraction of 0.50 % . 
 
4.6 pH Value  
 
The pH value of a volume fraction of 1.00 % solution of the detergent, when determined in 
accordance with 6.6, shall be not less than 6.0 and not more than 9.0.  
 
4.7 Rinsing properties  
 
When tested in accordance with 6.7, the detergent shall be free -rinsing.  
 
4.8 Cleaning efficiency  
 
When tested in accordance with 6.8, the cleaning efficiency of liquid hand dishwashing and light duty 
deterge nt shall be at least 80 % of that of the standard detergent.  
 
4.9 Stability  
 
The detergent shall, remain stable up to its best before date in the original container under normal 
storage conditions, still comply with all the requirements of this standard.  
 
5 Sampling and compliance with the standard  
 
5.1 Sampling  
 
The following sampling procedure shall be applied in determining whether a lot that was submitted for  
inspection and testing, complies with the relevant requirements of this standard. The sample so  drawn 
shall be deemed to represent the lot.  
 
5.1.1  Sample for inspection  
 
Draw at random from the lot  
 
a) five containers, if the lot is packed in containers of net volume not exceeding 5 L, or  
 
b) three containers, if the lot is packed in containers of n et volume exceeding 5 L.  
 
 
 DARS 1465: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  3 5.1.2  Sample for testing  
 
5.1.2.1  From the containers taken in accordance with 5.1.1 draw enough detergent to provide a  
composite test sample of total volume at least 1 L, taking equal quantities of detergent from all  
containers . 
 
5.1.2.2  Before drawing a sample thoroughly mix the contents of the relevant container.  
 
5.1.2.3  Pour the samples into a clean, dry, air -tight glass or plastics bottle clearly marked with the  
manufacturer's name or trademark, the batch identification and  the date of sampling.  
 
5.2 Compliance with the standard  
 
Deem the lot to comply with the requirements of the standard if, after inspection and testing of the  
samples taken in accordance with 5.1.1 and 5.1.2, the samples are found to comply with all the  
requirements of the standard and no defects are found.  
 
6 Inspection and methods of test  
 
6.1 General  
 
All reagents used shall be of analytical reagent grade, and all water shall be distilled or deionized  
water.  
 
6.2 Inspection  
 
Inspect the containers taken in accordance with 5.1.1 for compliance with the requirements of  clause 
7. 
 
6.3 Test samples  
 
Carry out determinations of the consistency, odour,, insoluble matter, pH value,  rinsing properties and 
cleaning efficiency on the composite test sample taken in accordance with  5.1.2.  
 
6.4 Standard hard water  
 
Dissolve 3 .520 g of chemically pure calcium chloride (CaCl 2.2H2O) and 3 .947 g of chemically pure  
magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4.7H2O) in distilled water and dilute to 20 L with distilled water. (This  
standard hard  water has a hardness of approximately 200 mg/L calculated as calcium carbonate).  
 
6.5 Insoluble matter  
 
6.5.1  Procedure  
 
6.5.1.1  Accurately weigh (to ± 0 .001 g) approximately 5 g of the test sample (see 6.3) into a beaker  
and add 250 mL of the standard ha rd water (see 6.4).  
 
6.5.1.2  Heat on a steam bath, with frequent stirring, until the sample is completely dispersed.  
 
6.5.1.3  Filter the solution immediately, under suction, through a dried and tared Whatman GF/A  
glass -fibre filter paper or equivalent and ensure that the insoluble matter is quantitatively transferred 
to the filter.  
 
6.5.1.4  Wash the beaker and the residue five times with 20 mL portions of hot standard hard water.  
 
6.5.1.5  Allow the solution to drain completely and dry the residue at 105 °C until a constant mass is  
attained.  
 
 DARS 1465: 2018  
4 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  6.5.2  Calculation  
 
Calculate the insoluble matter content S as a percentage by mass, as follows:  
 
100
12mmS
 
 
where  
S is the insoluble matter content as a percentage by mass;  
 
m1 is the mass of the test sam ple taken, expressed in grams (g); and  
 
m2 is the mass of the insoluble matter after it has been dried, expressed in grams (g).  
 
Check for compliance with 4.5.  
 
6.6 pH value  
 
Dissolve 1 .0 mL of the test sample in 100 mL of carbon -dioxide -free distilled or deionized water and  
determine its pH value, using  ISO 10523.  Check for compliance with 4.6.  
 
6.7 Rinsing properties  
 
6.7.1  Accurately weigh (to ± 0 .001 g) approximately 0 .4 g of the test sample (see 6.3) into a  
thoroughly cleaned 500 mL conical flask and a dd 200 mL of the standard hard water (see 6.4).  
 
6.7.2  Stopper the flask and shake it vigorously for 1 min.  
 
6.7.3  Pour out the solution and rinse the flask by adding 200 mL of the standard hard water,  
shaking vigorously for 1 min and pouring off the water . 
 
6.7.4  Invert the flask and allow to dry.  
 
6.7.5  Carry out a blank by repeating the above procedure but omitting the test sample.  
 
6.7.6  Compare the two flasks.  
 
6.7.7  Consider the detergent to comply with 4.7 if the streaks and marks on the flask used f or the  
test do not exceed those on the flask used for the blank.  
 
6.8 Cleaning efficiency  
 
6.8.1  Apparatus  
 
6.8.1.1  Six test panels of anodized aluminium, machined from aluminium that complies with  EN 
1676 (alloy designation Al -99,5A: alloy code number SA2 ). The panels are of the dimensions  given in 
figure 1 and have indentations as shown in figure 1.  
 
6.8.1.2  Six suitable clamps, so fitted to the stirrers (see 6.8.1.3) as to allow the panels to be gripped  
and rotated about a vertical axis.  
 
6.8.1.3  Six mec hanical stirrers, capable, when supporting the test panels, of operating smoothly  
and continuously at 60 r/min to 62 r/min.  
 
6.8.1.4  Water -bath, that is thermostatically controlled, is capable of maintaining a temperature of  21 
°C ± 2 °C, and is fitted wit h a cover that has a row of six holes to accommodate the test beakers  (see 
6.8.1.5).  
 
6.8.1.5  Six beakers, of capacity 800 mL, of internal diameter approximately 90 mm and of height  
approximately 135 mm.  DARS 1465: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  5  
6.8.1.6  Six flat -bottom glass crystallizing basins,  of capacity 175 mL, of diameter approximately  
80 mm and of height approximately 40 mm, to hold the six test panels.  
 
6.8.1.7  Six tall -form beakers, of capacity 150 mL.  
 
6.8.1.8  Spatula, fitted with a flexible straight -edge steel blade.  
 
6.8.1.9  Watch glas ses 
 
6.8.2  Materials  
 
6.8.2.1  Standard hard water (see 6.4)  
 
6.8.2.2  Standard detergent, a solution containing a mass fraction of 4 .0 % sodium lauryl ether  
sulphate (SLES) and a mass fraction of 16,0 % sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS) at a  pH 
of 7.5 ± 1 that is prepared as follows:  
 
a) Determine the anionic content of the sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) in accordance with  
ISO 2271, using 442 g for 3 moles ethylene oxide or 384 g for 2 moles ethylene oxide as the  
molecular mass in the calculation ; 
 
b) Determine the anionic content of the sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS) in 
accordance  with ISO 2271, using 340 g as the molecular mass or the molecular mass as 
supplied by the  manufacturer;  
 
c) Measure a calculated amount of the SLES (see 6.8.2 .2 (a)) to give a mass fraction of an 
active  content of 4,0 % and a calculated amount of SDBS (see 6.8.2.2 (b)) to give a mass 
fraction of an  active content of 16,0%;  
 
d) Add water to give a combined mass of 100 .0 g; 
 
e) Mix the solution thoroughly and adj ust it if necessary to a pH of 7 .5 ± 1, using 4g/L of sodium  
hydroxide or 10 g/L citric acid.  
 
6.8.2.3  Artificial soil, comprising an intimate mixture of the following ingredients:  
 
a) 85.0 % margarine;  
 
b) 10.0 % egg -powder; and  
 
c) 5.0 % cornflour.  
 
6.8.3 Procedure  
 
6.8.3.1  Accurately weigh 15 .0 g of the standard detergent into each of three beakers, and 15 .0 g of  
the test sample into each of the other three beakers.  
 
6.8.3.2  Add 750 mL of the standard hard water to each beaker and so place the beakers in  the water -
bath, maintained at 21 °C ± 2 °C, that the three beakers containing the standard detergent are  in the 
first, third and fifth holes and the three beakers containing the test sample are in the  remaining holes. 
Cover the beakers with watch glasses.  
 
6.8.3.3  Thoroughly clean the test panels with a suitable detergent (e.g. 1 % solution of detergent  that 
complies with  CD-ARS 1466:201 8, dissolved in hot water), and allow to air dry.  
 
6.8.3.4  Place each panel in its glass crystallizing basin, clearly ide ntify the panel -and-basin  
combination, and place the basins and panels into an oven at 105 °C ± 3 °C for 1 h. Remove the  
basins and panels from the oven and, after allowing them to cool in a desiccator, determine the mass  
of each glass basin together with its panel.  DARS 1465: 2018  
6 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved   
6.8.3.5  Homogenize the artificial soil by mixing it with the spatula.  
 
6.8.3.6  Use the spatula to pack each panel with approximately 1 .3 g of the homogenized soil,  
ensuring that the mass of each panel does not differ by more than 0 .1 g from the  mass of any of the  
other panels and that the exposed surfaces of the soil are smooth and flat. When the packed panels  
are inspected, no pin holes, air bubbles or other inclusions shall be visible.  
 
6.8.3.7  When each panel has been packed with soil, place it in its glass crystallizing basin and  
determine the mass of each glass basin together with its panel. To condition the soil, refrigerate it at  
4.5 °C ± 5 °C for 15 min.  
 
NOTE  The portion of the panel containing the soil should not be touched during the p rocedure.  
 
6.8.3.8  Remove the glass basins containing the soiled panels from the refrigerator and so fit the  
panel into the clamp of the stirrer (see 6.8.1.2) that the jaws of the clamp are positioned at the end of  
the panel above the soiled areas. So adju st the panel that it is vertical.  
 
6.8.3.9  Lower a panel assembly carefully into the centre of each of the six beakers containing 750 mL  
of detergent solution maintained at 21 °C ± 2 °C, until the solution level just reaches the marked line  
above the soile d area (see Figure 1).  
 
6.8.3.10  Allow the refrigerated soiled panels to stand for 15 min in the test solution before stirring  the 
solution for 60 min at 60 to 62 r/min. Remove each panel in turn from the detergent solution, and  
temporarily place the panel  in a vertical position in an empty 150 mL tall -form beaker.  
 
6.8.3.11 Remove any traces of emulsified soil on the flat surfaces of the panels by using absorbent  
paper e.g. toilet paper taking care that the soil in the indentations of the panels is not tou ched.  
Remove any traces of emulsified soil on the flat surfaces between the indentations of the panels, by  
scraping the flat surfaces with a straight -edge spatula.  
 
6.8.3.12 Place each panel in its glass crystallizing basin, clearly identify the panel -and-basin  
combination, and place the basins and panels into an oven at 105 °C ± 3 °C for 3 h. Remove the  
basins and panels from the oven and, after allowing the basins and panels to cool in a desiccator,  
determine the mass of each glass basin together with its  panel.  
 
6.8.4  Calculation  
 
6.8.4.1  Calculate the cleaning efficiency C (as a percentage by mass) of each test sample and of 
each portion of standard detergent, as follows:  
 
100
1 23 2m mm mC
 
 
where  
m1 is the mass of the panel and glass basin, expres sed in grams (g);  
 
m2 is the initial mass of the panel, soil and glass basin, expressed in grams (g); and  
 
m3 is the final mass of the panel, soil and glass basin, expressed in grams (g).  
 
6.8.4.2  Calculate the mean cleaning efficiency of the test samples and of the standard detergent 
samples, subject to the following conditions:  
 
a) use all three results (calculated as in 6.8.4.1) to calculate a mean if no two results exceed 
three percentage points difference, or  
 
b) use any two results (calculated as in 6 .8.4.1) that do not exceed three percentage points 
difference to calculate the mean, or  
 DARS 1465: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  7 c) if the individual results (calculated as in 6.8.4.1) do not conform to (a) or (b) above, discard all 
the results and repeat the test.  
 
Check for compliance with 4.8 . 
 
7 Packing and labelling  
 
7.1 Packing  
 
The detergent shall be packed in containers that are strong enough to withstand normal handling and 
transportation and that will prevent leakage and contamination of the product. These containers may 
then be packed in bulk packages. Only detergent from the same batch shall be packed in any one 
container and, when relevant, in any one bulk package.  
 
7.2 Labelling  
 
Each container and each bulk package shall bear in prominent, legible and indelible marking  with the 
following information:  
 
a) the manufacturer's name or trademark or both;  
 
b) words indicating that the product is a hand dishwashing or liquid light duty detergent ;  
 
c) general instructions for use that are suitable for the purposes specified;  
 
d) the batch i dentification (which may be given in code);  
 
e) the volume of the contents;  
 
f) in the case of bulk packages, the quantity of containers;  
 
g)          best before date and 
 
 
 DARS 1465: 2018  
8 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  
 
 
Figure 1 — Aluminium test panel  
 DARS 1465: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  9  
Bibliography  
 
 
Working Group to identify a nd acknowledge useful literature used in the preparation of this standard.  
 
SANS 825:2012, Hand dishwashing and light duty detergent (liquid)  
 
EAS 296:2002, Liquid household hand dishwashing and light duty detergents — Specification  
 
MS 791:2014, Specifica tion for liquid detergent for household hand dish washing  
 
 DARS 1465: 2018 
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved