AFRICAN 
STANDARD  DARS  
1472  
First Edition 2018  
 
 Reference No. ARS 1472: 2018 (E) 
ICS 71.100.40  
 
 
© ARSO 2018  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cleaning chemicals for use in the food industry  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
ii © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved   
Table of contents  
 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative refe rences  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  1 
3 Definitions and abbreviations  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  1 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 1 
4.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  1 
4.2 Product requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  2 
7 Packaging and labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
7.1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  2 
7.2 Labelling ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 3 
8 Material safety  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  3 
Annex A (normative)  Assessment of compliance with this standard  ................................ .....................  4 
Annex B (normative)  Method of test for effect on corrosion -resistant steel  ................................ ...........  5 
B.1 Apparatus ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  5 
B.2 Materials and reagents  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  5 
B.3 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  5 
Annex C (normative)  Quality requirements  ................................ ................................ ............................  7 
Annex D (normative)  Sampling and compliance with the standard  ................................ .......................  9 
Annex E (informative)  Quality verification of cleaning chemicals for use in the food industry  .............  11 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  12 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  iii  
Foreword  
 
The African Organization for Standar dization (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 mandates 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 preparing 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 technical 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 Technical 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 Square  
NAIROBI, KENYA  
 
Tel. +254 -20-2224561,  +254 -20-3311641, +254 -20-3311608  
 
E-mail: arso@arso -oran.org  
Web: www.arso -oran.org  
                                                 
* 2018 ARSO — All rights of exploitation reserved worldwide for African Member States’ NSBs. 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
iv © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved   
 
Copyright notice  
 
This ARSO document is copyright -prote cted by ARSO. While the reproduction of this document 
by participants in the ARSO standards development process is permitted without prior 
permission from ARSO, neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored 
or transmitted in any f orm for any other purpose without prior written permission from ARSO.  
 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the purpose of selling it should be 
addressed as shown below or to ARSO’s member body in the 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 agreement. 
Violators may be p rosecuted.  
 
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  v  
Introduction  
 
Specifies general requirements for cleaning chemicals intended for use in the food industry. Sets 
minimum requirements for the safety of such cleaning chemicals, which are intended for use in food 
processing equipment and might come into  contact with food products.  
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  1  
Cleaning chemicals for use in the food industry  
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This African S tandard specifies general requirements for cleaning chemicals intended for use in the 
food industry. The Standard sets minimum requirements for the s afety of such cleaning chemicals, 
which  are intended for use on food processing equipment and might come into contact with food 
products.  
 
NOTE  The Standard does not set cleaning performance standards. The user is urged to verify, by conducting suitable tr ials 
or tests either in the food processing plant or in the laboratory, that the cleaning chemicals are suitable for the proposed 
application. Alternatively, proven compliance with an appropriate national standard should be requested.  
 
2 Normative referenc es 
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
 
EN 10088 -2, Stainless steels — Part 2: Technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip for  
general purposes  
 
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)  
 
ISO 9001, Quality management systems — Requirements  
 
ISO 900 2, Quality systems — Model for quality assurance in production, installation and  servicing  
 
ISO 11014 -1, Safety data sheet for chemical products — Part 1: Content and order of sections  
 
ISO 16495, Packaging — Transport packaging for dangerous goods — Test methods  
 
3 Definitions  and abbreviations  
 
For the purpose of this standard the following definition s apply . 
 
batch  
the material from a single mix or, in the case of a continuous production process, the material from  a 
single day's production  
 
certification  body  
an impartial body, governmental or non -governmental, in which the interests of all the parties  
concerned with the functioning of a certification system are represented, and that has the necessary  
competence and authority to operate such a system  
 
4 Requirements  
 
4.1 General requirements  
 
4.1.1  When visually examined p roducts in powder or granular form shall remain free -flowing and 
free from lumps  
 
4.1.2  Products that are presented in solid or powder form shall be readily soluble in water of the 
qualit y and at the temperature recommended by the manufacturer.  
 
 AFRICAN STANDARD  DARS 1472: 2018  
2 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  4.2 Product requirements  
 
4.2.1 Raw materials  
 
Raw materials used in the formulation of the cleaning chemicals shall be such as to be suitable for  
use in a food processing plant. Products shall no t contain ingredients that are recognized as being  
potentially hazardous or toxic when the products are used in accordance with the manufacturer's  
recommendations, nor shall they form toxic or potentially toxic reaction products. The safety of raw  
material s shall be assessed and established in accordance with Annex A. 
 
Materials known to leave residues, in concentrations that might be harmful to human beings or  
animals, on inanimate surfaces shall not be used in the formulation of the cleaning chemicals and  
materials and shall not be used in combinations that yield reaction products known to leave such  
harmful residues.  
 
4.2.2 Perfumes and colorants  
 
Cleaning chemicals shall not contain perfumes. They shall not leave an objectionable odour, nor  
impart any co lour, odour or flavour to food products, when they are used in accordance with the  
manufacturer's recommendations.  
 
4.2.3 Cleaning ability and suitability for purpose  
 
When used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, cleaning chemicals shal l 
remove the soils for which they are claimed to be effective.  
 
Products that are intended for personal use (on unbroken skin) shall have a pH value (at the  
recommended dilution for use) in the range 4 to 9.  
 
NOTE  It is recommended that the user assess cle aning ability and suitability for purpose in the food  processing 
environment. Both visual and biological criteria can be applied. Where compliance with  requirements such as those of (Hazard 
Analysis and Critical Control Point) HACCP  system , and food safety  management  is necessary, objective evidence of  efficacy 
might be required to enable claims of such compliance to be verified.  
 
4.2.4 Effect on corrosion -resistant steel and other food contact surfaces  
 
When tested in accordance with Annex B , either at the  working concentration and the temperature  
recommended for use by the manufacturer, or at 20 °C to 25 °C, the cleaning chemicals shall not  
cause pitting, etching or discoloration of the test strip. Any change of mass shall not  exceed 0 .05 
mg/100 mm2 of the  surface area of the test strip.  
 
NOTE 1 Grade SS 304 stainless steel strip is specified for this test, since it is thought to be the lowest grade of  corrosion -
resistant steel likely to be encountered in the food processing environment.  
 
NOTE 2 In the food  processing environment, many different types and grades of rubber and plastics are used that  might come 
into contact with both food and cleaning chemicals. The user should verify that the correct  materials are specified, and that 
such materials are not ad versely affected by cleaning chemicals or processes.  
 
4.2.5  Quality requirements  
 
The quality requirements for the manufacturer’s quality system are specified in Annex B.  
 
7 Pack aging and labelling  
 
7.1 Pack aging  
 
Products shall be so packed as to ensure t heir safe and secure transportation and handling. The  
packaging of cleaning chemicals that are classified as dangerous goods in accordance with  the GHS  
shall comply with the relevant provisions of ISO 16495 . 
 
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  3 7.2 Labelling  
 
7.2.1  Visually  assess the samp le taken in accordance with Annex D and check for compliance with 
the labelling requirements.  
 
7.2.2  The labels of cleaning chemicals that are classified as dangerous goods in accordance with  
the GHS  shall contain the United Nations' number and proper ship ping name and shall comply  with 
the relevant provisions of ISO 16495 . In addition to such markings and labels as may be  required in 
terms of legislation, labels that bear the following information in prominent, legible and  indelible 
marking shall be firmly  attached to all containers of cleaning chemicals:  
 
a) an indication that the product is a cleaning chemical, and its type;  
 
b) an indication of the purpose for which the product is claimed to be suitable;  
 
c) an indication that the product is suitable for  use in a food processing plant;  
 
d) recommendations for the use of the product, including the various dilutions at which it will be  
effective;  
 
e) hazard warnings, where relevant;  
 
f) when so authorized by the relevant authority, certification marks that indicate compliance with  
this and with other relevant standards;  
 
g)  the expiry date of the cleaning chemical;  
 
h) the manufacturer's name or trademark, or both;  
 
i) the batch identification;  
 
j) whether the product is required to be rinsed from food cont act surfaces after use; and  
 
k) appropriate instructions for the storage of the product, including a warning to store away from  
foodstuffs.  
 
 
8 Material safety  
 
The manufacturer shall provide the  Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)  in accordance with ISO 
11014-1 and a Technical Data Sheet (TDS)  
 DARS 1472: 2018  
4 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved   
Annex A 
(normative)  
 
Assessment of compliance with this standard  
 
 
 
 
A.1 Safety of raw materials  
 
The manufacturer of the cleaning chemicals shall make available to the certification body, or to the 
customer, as req uired, sufficient evidence to establish the safety of all raw materials used in the 
formulation of these products, and their freedom from contaminants or trace components in quantities 
that can prove harmful to human beings or leave toxic residues on food or food processing 
equipment.  
 
Evidence to this effect shall include one or more of the following:  
 
(i) certification by a recognized authority;  
 
(ii) material safety data sheets in accordance with ISO 11014 -1; 
 
(iii) certificates of analysis; and  
 
(iv) any other relevant inf ormation.  
 
Auditors responsible for the evaluation of material and product safety shall be qualified and 
experienced in chemical formulation technology.  
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  5  
Annex B 
(normative)  
 
Method of test for effect on corrosion -resistant steel  
 
 
 
B.1 Apparatus  
 
Norma lly available laboratory glassware, together with : 
 
Two laboratory ovens, maintained at the following temperatures: 105 °C and, where applicable, at  the 
temperature recommended by the manufacturer for the use of the product.  
 
B.2 Materials and reagents  
 
B.2.1 Ethanol , 95 % pure.  
 
B.2.2 Acetone , chemically pure.  
 
B.2.3 Distilled water . 
 
B.2.4 Test strip  
 
One strip, of size approximately 80 mm × 25 mm × 1 mm, of a hot -rolled, annealed and  polished 
corrosion -resistant steel that complies with standard grade X2 CrNi18 –9 as described in  EN 10088 -2. 
 
NOTE  Ensure that the edges are substantially smooth (before annealing) and polished.  
 
B.3 Procedure  
 
B.3.1 Measure, to the nearest 0 .1 mm, the length, width and thickness of the test strip.  
 
B.3.2 Degrease the test str ip in a mixture of equal parts of ethanol and acetone. Allow the strip to  
air-dry, then heat it in an oven maintained at 105 °C for 30 min, allow it to cool in a desiccator, and  
immediately determine its mass to the nearest 0 .1 mg.  
 
B.3.3 Prepare 1 L of an  aqueous solution of the cleaning chemical at the dilution recommended by  
the manufacturer. Transfer 250 mL of the solution to a suitably stoppered glass bottle.  
 
B.3.4 Place the test strip in the bottle, ensuring that it is fully immersed in the test solu tion. Close  
the bottle with a stopper, then maintain it at the required temperature for 16 h.  
 
B.3.5 Remove the test strip from the bottle, rinse it thoroughly, first with distilled water, then with a  
mixture of equal parts of ethanol and acetone. Heat the  test strip in the oven maintained at 105 °C  for 
30 min, allow it to cool in a desiccator, and immediately determine its mass to the  nearest 0 .1 mg.  
 
B.3.6 Calculate the change in mass ( M) in mg/100 mm2 of the surface area as follows:  
 

) (2)(2) (21002 1
tw tl wlmmM
 
 
where  
M is the change in mass of the strip, in milligrams per 100 square millimetres;  
m1 is the mass of the test strip before the test, in milligrams;  
m2 is the mass of the test strip after the test, in milligrams;  
l is the length of the test strip, i n millimetres;  
w is the width of the test strip, in millimetres;  DARS 1472: 2018  
6 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  t is the thickness of the test strip, in millimetres.  
 
B.3.7 Check for complianc e with the requirements of 4.2.4  
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  7  
 
Annex C  
(normative)  
 
Quality requirements  
 
 
 
C.1 Quality requirements  
 
When assessed in accordance with 4.2.5 , the quality system of a manufacturer of cleaning chemicals 
for use in the food industry shall comply with the requirements of C.1.1 to C.1.11 (inclusive).  
 
C.1.1 Responsibility for the quality system shall be delegated  to an officer who has sufficient 
authority, and is sufficiently qualified, to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements of this 
standard.  
 
C.1.2 The responsibilities of all persons who have direct or indirect responsibility for quality shall be 
so defined and documented as to ensure that there is no overlap of functions or responsibilities.  
 
C.1.3 Quality system documentation, and the amendment and revision of such documentation 
(including formulations, test methods and product standards), shall be written and authorized only by 
duly designated officers who have written authority to perform these functions.  
 
C.1.4 A documented quality system shall exist and be implemented to ensure that only cleaning 
chemicals that comply with the relevant requiremen ts of this standard are delivered to the food 
industry. Such documentation shall include, but not be limited to  
 
a) procedures for the manufacture of the respective products,  
 
b) standards for all the raw materials used,  
 
c) standards for the finished prod ucts,  
 
d) standards for the testing of raw materials, packaging, work in progress and finished products,  
 
e) standards for packaging, labelling and storage of the finished products, and  
 
f) systems to ensure that personnel involved in activities that affec t the manufacture and quality 
of the cleaning chemicals have available only current and suitably authorized documented procedures 
and standards, and that such documentation can be recalled and updated when necessary.  
 
C.1.5 Systems shall exist and be imple mented to ensure that only raw materials and packaging that 
comply with the relevant requirements of this standard are used in the manufacture of cleaning 
chemicals for the food industry.  
 
C.1.6 The manufacturer shall implement a system of product identifi cation to ensure that a product 
in its original package can be traced back to the relevant records of manufacture and to the sources 
of raw materials.  
 
C.1.7 Products shall be manufactured in appropriate premises, using appropriate equipment and in 
accorda nce with appropriate, documented, m anufacturing procedures (see C.1.4), by appropriately 
trained employees. Process control procedures shall be such as to ensure a consistent quality of the 
end product.  
 
C.1.8 The formulations of  the cleaning chemicals (se e C.1.3) shall be submitted for approval to a 
certification body, together with sufficient safety data that cover both raw materials and the finished 
product, to satisfy the certification body with respect to the safety of the product when used in 
accordan ce with the manufacturer's recommendations. Material safety data sheets shall form an DARS 1472: 2018  
8 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  integral part of such safety data. Formulations, once approved, shall not be altered without the 
approval of the certification body. The certification body shall impose s uch reappraisal requirements 
as it considers necessary to ensure the continued safety of the product.  
 
C.1.9 Testing of raw materials, packaging, work in progress and finished product shall be carried 
out by appropriately qualified and trained personnel wh o have access to appropriate equipment and 
facilities and in accordance with documented procedures. Test records shall be maintained and 
appropriate samples shall be retained for a period that is sufficient to comply with the requirements of 
the customer a nd the certification body or regulatory or inspection authority.  
 
NOTE  A sample retention time of at least six months and a record retention time of at least two years are recommended.  
 
C.1.10  Test equipment shall be calibrated periodically to ensure its r eliability and accuracy.  
 
Records of calibration shall be kept. The period between successive calibrations shall not exceed one 
year.  
 
C.1.11  Systems shall exist and be implemented to ensure that only cleaning chemicals that comply 
with the relevant qualit y standard(s) are dispatched to the customer.  
 
C.2 The quality system shall be assessed by auditors who are trained, qualified and experienced 
in the evaluation of quality systems in accordance with recognized quality system standards such as 
ISO 9001. Aud its shall be carried out in accordance with the generally accepted criteria for assessing 
compliance with such standards.  
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  9  
Annex D 
(normative)  
 
Sampling and compliance with the standard  
 
 
 
D.1 Sampling  
 
D.1.1 General  
 
The following sampling procedure sh all be applied in determining whether a lot, submitted for  
inspection and testing, complies with the relevant requirements of this standard. The samples so  
drawn shall be deemed to represent the lot.  
 
D.1.2 Definitions  
 
defective  
a cleaning chemical that f ails to comply in one or more respects with the requirements of this  standard  
 
lot 
the quantity of cleaning chemical that bears the same batch identification, from one manufacturer,  and 
that is submitted at any one time for inspection and testing  
 
D.1.3 Sample for inspection  
 
From the lot, draw at random the relevant number of containers in accordance with Table B.1.  
 
Table B.1 — Samples for inspection  
 
1 2 
Lot size, containers Sample size, containers 
Up to 10  
11 to 2 00 
More than 200 2 
4 
6 
 
Inspect the s amples for compliance, when relevant, with the requirements for packing, marking and 
labelling given in clause 7.  
 
D.1.4 Sample for testing  
 
After inspection of the samples drawn in accordance with D.1.3, take at random half of the number  of 
containers and  from each of the containers take the smallest of  
 
a) the contents of the container, or  
 
b) 0,25 L in the case of liquids, or  
 
c) 0.25 kg in the case of solids.  
 
Combine these samples by mixing thoroughly to make up a composite sample for testing.  
 
D.2 Com pliance with this standard  
 
The lot shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this standard if  
 DARS 1472: 2018  
10 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  a) after inspection of the containers and testing of the samples taken in accordance with D.1.3 
and D.1.4, no defective is found,  
 
b) the manufacturer satisfies the certification body as to the safety of all materials used in the  
manufacture of the product and of the safety of the final product,  
 
c) the manufacturer satisfies the certification body as to the cleaning ability and the suitability for  
purpo se of the cleaning chemicals when used in accordance with the manufacturer's  
recommendations, in accordance with 4.2.3, and  
 
d) the manufacturer complies with the quality system requirements of this standard, in 
accordance  with Annex C . 
 
D.3 Verification  
 
To verify a claim that a product complies with the requirements to carry a certification mark,  
authorized officers of the certification body will require access, as is normal practice, to relevant  
quality control and production records and will also requir e the right of access to production facilities  
on an unannounced basis.  
 
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved  11  
Annex E 
(informative)  
 
Quality verification of cleaning chemicals for use in the food industry  
 
 
 
When a purchaser requires ongoing verification of the quality of cleaning chemica ls for use in the  food 
industry, it is suggested that, instead of concentrating solely on evaluation of the final product,  he also 
direct his attention to the manufacturer's quality system. In this connection it should be  noted that ISO 
9001 covers the pro vision of an integrated quality system.  
 
 
 
 
 
 DARS 1472: 2018  
12 © ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved   
Bibliography  
 
 
Working Group to identify and acknowledge useful literature used in the preparation of this standard.  
 
SANS 1828:2016, Cleaning chemicals for use in the food industry  
 
KS 2118:2014, Kenya Stand ard — Sodium hypochlorite solution for use in food and beverage 
industry — Specification  
 
SANS 10049 (SABS 049), Food hygiene management  
 
SANS 10330, Requirements for a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system  
 
 
 
 DARS 1472: 2018 
© ARSO 2018 — All rights reserved