FINAL DRAFT UGANDA 
STANDARD  
  FDUS EAS 31
First Edition
2011-mm-dd
 
 Reference numbe r
FDUS EAS 31: 2011
© UNBS 2011
  
Laundry soap — Specification 
 FDUS EAS 31: 2011 
i i                 ©  U N B S  2011 - All rights reserved 
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations 
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2011 
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, in cluding photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to 
The Executive Director 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
P.O. Box 6329 
Kampala  
Uganda 
Tel: 256 41 505 995 
Fax: 256 41 286 123 
E-mail: unbs@infocom.co.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  
 FDUS EAS 31: 2011 
© UNBS  2011 - All rights rese rved                iii National foreword 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry  of Tourism, Trade and 
Industry established under Cap 327, of the Laws of U ganda. UNBS is mandated to co-ordinate the elaboration 
of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex A limentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agr eements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). 
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a gi ven field or area and consists of representatives of 
consumers, traders, academician s, manufacturers, governme nt and other stakeholders. 
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committ ee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council. 
This Final Draft Uganda Standard, FDUS EAS 31: 2011 , Laundry soap — Specification, is identical with  and 
has been reproduced from an East African Standard, EAS 31: 2011 , Laundry soap — Specification,  and is 
being proposed for adoption as a Uganda Standard.  
This standard was developed by the Food and agricu lture Standards Technical Committee (UNBS/TC 2).  
Wherever the words, “East Africa Standard" appear, they should be replaced by "Uganda Standard." EAS 31:2011 
ICS 71.100 
HS 3401.19.00  
 
 
 
       
EAST AFRICAN STANDARD 
 
Laundry soap — Specification 
 
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
       
    
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY 
 
© EAS 2011 First Edition 2011 EAS 31:2011  
 
Table of contents 
 
Introduction .................................................................................................................. .......................... iv 
1 Scope ....................................................................................................................... ...................... 1 
2 Defini tions ................................................................................................................. ...................... 1 
3 Grades of la undry soap ...................................................................................................... ............ 2 
4 Requir ements ................................................................................................................ ................. 2 
5 Sampling .................................................................................................................... ..................... 3 
6 Methods of  test ............................................................................................................. .................. 3 
7 Compliance with  the standard ................................................................................................ ........ 4 
8 Packing and marking ......................................................................................................... ............. 4 
Annex A Analysis of so aps — Determination of total free al kali ............................................................. 6 
Annex B Analysis of soaps — Determination of to tal alkali content and total fatty matter content Error! 
Bookmark not defined.  
Annex C (informative) Soaps — Determinati on of content of ethanol-insolubl e matter ................. Error! 
Bookmark not defined.  
Annex D (informative) Surface active agents — Anal ysis of soaps — Determination of free caustic 
alkali ........................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.  
Annex E (informative) Analysis of soaps — De termination of unsaponifiable, unsaponified and 
unsaponified saponifiable matter ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.  
Annex F (informative) Soaps — Determination of  moisture and volatile matter content — Oven 
method .................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.  
Annex G (informative) Soaps — Determination of chloride content titrimetric method Error! Bookmark 
not defined.  
 
ii © EAS 2011 — All rights reserved EAS 31:2011  
 
Foreword 
 
Development of the East African Standards ha s been necessitated by the need for harmonizing 
requirements governing quality of products and services in East Africa. It is envisaged that through harmonized standardization, trade barriers which are encountered when goods and services are 
exchanged within the Comm unity will be removed.  
 In order to achieve this objective, the Partner St ates in the Community through their National Bureaux 
of Standards, have established an East  African Standards Committee.  
The Committee is composed of representatives of the National Standards Bodies in Partner States, together with the representatives from the private sectors and cons umer organizations. Draft East 
African Standards are circulated to stakeholders th rough the National Standards Bodies in the Partner 
States. The comments received are discussed and in corporated before finalization of standards, in 
accordance with the procedures of the Community.  
East African Standards 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.  
 
© East African Community 2005 — All rights reserved
* 
East African Community  
P O Box 1096  
Arusha  
Tanzania  
Tel: 255 27 2504253/8 
Fax: 255-27-2504481/2504255 E-Mail: eac@eachq.org
 
Web: www.each.org  
It is important that users of East African Standards ascertain that they are in possession of the 
latest amendments or latest editions   
The following table will assist the user to update the standard 
 
 
AMENDMENTS
 
 
Clause Amendment No Date of issue Text affected 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
                                                 
* © 2005 EAC — All rights of exploitation in any form and by an y means reserved worldwide for EAC Partner States’ NSBs.  
 
© EAS 2011 — All rights reserved iii EAS 31:2011  
iv © EAS 2011 — All rights reserved  
Introduction 
 
The African countries produce a variety of veget able oils, which are the basic materials for soap 
manufacture.  Hence there is the pot ential for production of soaps on th e continent. Soap production in 
Africa is by both the formal (organized large scale) and informal (unorganized small scale) producers.  Consequently, many different types and grades of soaps are produced. 
 
This EAS defines one type of soap, that is laundry soap, which is widely used on the continent. It 
establishes three different grades of laundry soap bas ed on the total fatty matter content and addition of 
builders and fillers to the soap. This standard will enable the purchaser to define his requirements with precision by referring to the grade and designat ion given in this East African Standard. 
 
 
 EAS 31:2011  EAST AFRICAN STANDARD 
 
Laundry soap — Specification 
 
 
1 Scope 
 
This East African Standard specifies requirements for two grades of laundry soaps in the form of cakes, 
tablets or bars, produced from vegetable or animal oils or  fats or a blend of all or part to these materials. 
It does not cover liquid soap for household purpose s, and bar soap, in which synthetic detergents 
have been added to enhance its performance. 
  
 
2 Normative references 
 
ISO 456 Surface-active agents – Determination of free caustic alkali  
ISO 457 Analysis of Soap – Determination of chloride content 
ISO 673 Analysis of Soap – Determination of ethanol insoluble matter  
ISO 672 Analysis of Soap – Determination of moisture and volatile matter content 
ISO 684 Analysis of Soap – Determination of total free alkali 
ISO 685 Analysis of Soap – Determination of total alkali content and total fatty matter content 
ISO 862:  Surface active agents  - Vocabulary 
ISO 1067 Analysis of Soap – Determination of unsaponifiable, unsaponified, and unsaponified 
saponifiable matter  
  
2 Terms and definitions 
 
For the purpose of this standard, terms and definiti ons specified under ISO 862   and the following shall 
apply:  
2.1 
builder 
a complementary component of soap, usually inorgani c, which with reference to the washing action, 
adds its characteristic properties to those of the essential constituents 
NOTE: Builders are added to a soap to improve its effectiveness under the conditions of use. The 
action of builders is mostly physico-chemical and compri ses a series of effects, which results in more 
economic usage and better cleansing action of soap especially in hard water areas. Substances 
commonly used as builders are soda ash, sodium silicates, sodium phosphates, borax and cellulose 
derivatives  
 
2.2 
built laundry soap 
a grade II laundry soap containing modera te quantities of bu ilders (see table 1).  
2.3. 
colouring matter 
Any dyestuff that may be used to colour laundry soap.  
2.3 
fillers  
© EAS 2011 — All rights reserved   EAS 31:2011  
materials added to soaps to increase the mass of th e product but which in themselves do not improve 
effectiveness of the soap under the conditions of use. 
 
Note: Fillers are generally inert and of an almost or completely non-detergent character. 
 
2.4 free caustic alkali  
the quantity of hydroxyl ion, reported as sodium hydroxide (NaOH)  for sodium soaps or potassium 
hydroxide (KOH) for potassium soaps, which is found in  solution after precipitation with barium chloride 
under the operating conditions described. 
 
2.5 
laundry soap  
A soap, which is intended for use in washing clothes. 
 
NOTE Laundry soap may contain fillers, builders,  colouring matter, perfume, optical br ighteners, preservatives, glycerin or 
oparifiers. 
 
2.6 lot 
 an identified quantity of laundry soap pr oduced under essentially the same conditions. 
 
2.7 
total fatty matter water-insoluble fatty material obtained by decomposing the soap with a mineral acid under the 
conditions specified. This term includes unsaponified matter, glycerides and any rosin acids contained in 
the soap, in addition to the fatty acids. 
 
2.8 
total Free Alkali  
sum of the free caustic alkali and the free carbonate alkali contents. 
 
The results are generally expressed as a percentage by  mass as either sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for 
sodium soaps or potassium hydroxide (KOH) for potassium soaps. 
 
They may also be expressed in milliequivalents per gramme. 
 
2.9  
saponification  
a chemical reaction permitting the separation of an este r into its constituent parts, acid and alcohol, or 
possibly phenol, by the action of a base, with  the formation of a salt from the acid  
NOTE:  Saponification of fats produces soap.  
 
3 Grades of laundry soap 
 
Laundry soap shall be of the following grades and designations: 
 a) Pure laundry soap, Grade I 
 
b) Built/filled laundry soap, Grade II  
 
4 General requirements 
 
4.1 Appearance 
 
Laundry soap shall be free from visible dirt and other foreign matter . 
 
 
2 © EAS 2011 — All rights reserved EAS 31:2011  
 
4.2 Texture and stability  
 
Laundry soap shall be of firm texture and possess good lathering and cleaning properties.  4.3 Odour  
 Laundry soap shall be free from objectionable odour. It shall not leave objectionable odour on clothes 
after washing and thoroughly rinsing with water.  
4.4 Colouring matter 
 
When coloured laundry soap is used in washing any whit e fabric, it shall not leave any visible stains on 
the fabrics after washing and thorough rinsing wi th water when tested in accordance with Annex A 
 
4.5 Stability  
 
When immersed in distilled water for one hour at 25 – 30 °C, laundry soap shall not disintegrate, and 
when dried at room temperature for 25 h thereaf ter, it shall not crumble, crack or break. 
 
4.6 Toxicity  
 
The product shall be not injurious to health, cause irritation to the skin during use or handling, damage 
the fabrics and be environmentally friendly/safe.  
4.7 Chemical requirements  
 
Laundry soap shall comply with the requirements in Table 1.  
5 Sampling 
 Samples shall be drawn at random from lots.  
6 Methods of test 
 
6.1 Samples of laundry soap shall be tested in accord ance with the methods of test referred to in 
4.5 and Table 1. 
 
6.2 Before testing, reduce the sample taken in clause 6 to a final sample by cutting each bar or 
cake of soap into eight parts by three mutually per pendicular cuts passing through the middle of each 
face.  
Table 1 — Chemical requirements for laundry soap 
 
Characteristics Requirements
% (m/m) Methods of test 
 
Pure laundry 
soap  
Grade I Built/filled 
laundry 
soap  
Grade II  
Total fatty matter, %, min 62 50  ISO 685  
Matter insoluble in water, % max. 0.5 5  
TZ to provide the test method 
Matter insoluble in ethanol, 
max. 2.5 20  ISO 673  
Free caustic alkali, as NaOH, max. 0.2 0.2  
ISO 456  
Total free alkali, as NaOH, 
max. 0.2 0.3  ISO 684  
Total free fat (unsaponified 
and unsaponifiable fatty 
matter), max. 0.2 0.6  ISO 1067  
© EAS 2011 — All rights reserved   EAS 31:2011  
Moisture and volatile matter 
content at 105 °C, max. 30 30  ISO 672  
Chloride content, as NaCl, 
max. 1.5 1.5  ISO 457 
Staining Shall pass the test Annex A 
 
Take two diagonally opposite eights and, if the fi nal sample so obtained exceeds 500 g, divide each 
eighth into two equal parts. Slice, grate finely or pass through a mechanical grinder, mix thoroughly and 
store in a completely filled container.  
7 Compliance with the standard 
 
The lot shall be deemed to comply with this standard, if after inspection and testing, it complies with the 
requirements specified in clause 4. 
 
8 Packing and marking 
 8.1 Packing  
 
Laundry soap shall be packed in clean, sound and dry c ontainers made of a material, which does not 
affect the product and which protects the product from excessive loss of moisture and from 
contamination.  
8.2 Marking 
 
8.2.1  Packaging  
Each package shall be marked legibly a nd indelibly with the following particulars: 
 
i) The words ‘Grade I Laundry Soap’ or Grade II Laundry Soap’. 
ii) The name and address of the manufac turer and/or trade mark if any. 
iii) Nominal weight of each bar or cake at the time of packaging. 
iv) Number of bars or cakes contained in the package. 
v) Country of origin 
 
8.2.2 Wrapper   
On the paper or wrapper in which the bar or cake  is wrapped shall be marked with the particulars 
contained in 10.2.1 (i) to (ii). 
 
8.2.3 Bars or cakes   
In case of bars or cakes which are not wrapped in individual wrapper, the bars or cakes shall be 
marked with brand names or trademarks and t he grade of the soap, and Grade I or Grade II. 
 
9 Sampling and inspection 
 
9.1 Lot and Batch 
9.1.1 Batch  
The soap is from one vat or pan. In the continuous production process, the soap from one day’s 
production shall constitute a batch. 
 
9.1.2 Lot 
In a single consignment, all packages containing laundry soap bars or cakes drawn from the same 
batch of production shall constitute a lot.  
9.2 Sampling 
9.2.1  For ascertaining the conformity of the lot to the requirements of this standard, tests shall be 
carried out on each lot separately. The number of packages and product units from each container 
respectively to be selected for drawing the sample shall be in accordance with Table 2. 
 
4 © EAS 2011 — All rights reserved EAS 31:2011  
Number of packages 
(cartons) in the lot 
N Number of containers 
(cartons) to be 
selected 
n Number of product 
units to be selected 
from each container  
4 – 15  3 3 
16 – 40  4 4 
41 – 65 5 2 
66 – 110 7 2 
111 and above 10 1 
 
9.2.2  The packages (cartons) shall be selected at random, using tables of random numbers. If 
these are not available, the following procedure shall be applied:  
Starting from any package, count all the packages in  one order as 1, 2, 3 ...., N, selecting every kth  
package, where k is the integral part of N ÷ n.  
From each package thus selected, draw at random an equal number of cakes so as to obtain a total 
mass of at least 2 kg.  
9.2.3 Inspection  - Inspect the cakes selected for compliance with the requirements specified under 
table1 and performance requirements  
 
© EAS 2011 — All rights reserved   EAS 31:2011  
Annex A 
(Normative) 
 
Determination of staining test of laundry bar soap 
Two methods are for staining are described.  
A.1 Method 1: Undissolved Powder (5.0 % Product concentration)  
A.1.1 Principle 
Test pieces of cloth of defined area are rubbed with soap and then dipped in water overnight then 
scrubbed and rinsed in running water.  
A.1.2 Materials  
Pieces of white cotton, nylon and Crimplene C cloth. 
A.1.3 Procedure  
NOTE: The staining test is conducted in triplicate for all cloth types. 
A.1.3.1  Rub evenly about 10 g of soap over a 15 cm  x 7.5 cm test swatch placed on a china 
plate.  
A.1.3.2 Pour gently 50 ml of hot water (approximately 55 °C) into the plate so that the test swatch 
is covered and left overnight (16 h). A.1.3.3  Hand rub the swatch 10 times and then rinse each of the three test swatches are rinsed 
twice in about 2 litres of water and then dried in the drier.  
A.2 Method 2: Pre-dissolved Soap (2.5 % Product concentration)  
A.2.1 Principle 
The method involves subjecting fabrics to prolonge d soaking in a highly concentrated soap solution.  
A.2.2 Materials 
Pieces of white cotton, nylon and Crimplene C cloth of dimension 15 cm x 7.5 cm  
A.2.3 Procedure  
NOTE: The staining test should be conduct ed in triplicate for all cloth types. 
A.2.3.1  Weight 10 g of soap in a honey jar and then ad d 200 ml of hot water at a temperature of 
approximately 60 °C, shake until when the soap is thoroughly dissolved.  A.2.3.2  Place a test swatch A 15 cm x 7.5 cm in the soap solution (B.2.3.1) and allow to stand 
overnight.  A.2.3.3  Transfer the test swatch in a bowl containing 1 litre of water and then agitate vigorously 
by hand for 10 s.  
A.2.3.4  Rinse the test swatches in 5 litres of wate r by hand. The times should be fixed for all 
washes, and then dry swatches. 
6 © EAS 2011 — All rights reserved EAS 31:2011  
© EAS 2011 — All rights reserved