DEAS 31 : 2020  
ICS 71.100.70  
© EAC 20 20                                                                                                               Fourth  Edition  2020   
 
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Laundry soap — Specification  
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  DEAS 31: 2020  
ii © EAC 20 20 – All rights reserved  
 Copyright notice  
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Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  Violators 
may be persecuted  DEAS 31 : 2020  
iii 
 Contents  Page 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  1 
4 Grades of laundry soap  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  2 
5 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
5.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
5.1.1  Appe arance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 2 
5.1.2  Texture  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  3 
5.1.3  Odour  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  3 
5.1.4  Colouring matter  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
5.1.5  Stability  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  3 
5.1.6  Toxicity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  3 
5.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  3 
6 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 4 
8 Packaging and labelling ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
8.1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
8.2 labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  4 
9 Criteria for conformity ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  5 
Annex A (normative)  Determination of staining test of laundry bar soap  ................................ ..........  5 
A.1 Method 1: Undissolved powder (5.0 % product concentration)  ................................ ..............  6 
A.1.1  Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
A.1.2  Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
A.1.3  Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
A.2 Method 2: Pre -dissolved soap (2.5 % product concentration)  ................................ ................  6 
A.2.1  Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
A.2.2  Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
A.2.3  Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
Annex B (normative )  Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
B.1 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 7 
B.2 Preparation of test samples  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  7 
B.2.1  Composite sample  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
B.2.2  Samples for testing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  7 
 DEAS 31: 2020  
iv © EAC 20 20 – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Development of the East Afr ican Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through harmonized 
standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are exchanged within the Community 
will be removed.  
The Community has established an East African Standards Committee (EASC) mandated to develop and issue 
East African Standards (EAS) and other deliverables. The Committee is composed of repre sentatives of the 
National Standards Bodies in Partner States, together with the representatives from the public and private sector 
organizations in the community.  
East African Standards are developed through Technical Committees that are representative o f key 
stakeholders including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties. 
Draft East African Standards are circulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodies in the Partner 
States. The comments received are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in accordance 
with the Principles and procedures for development of East African Standards.  
East African Standards and other deliverables 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 implemen ting.  
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee EASC/TC 074, Surface active agents  
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be subject of patent rights. 
EAC shall not be held responsible  for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (EAS 31:2013), which has been technically revised.  
 
 
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 31 : 2020  
 
© EAC 2019  – All rights reserved  1 
 Laundry soap — Specification  
1 Scope  
This Draft  East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for two grades of laundry 
soaps . This standard  covers two grades of laundry soap pure and built laundry soap 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  any soap  in which synt hetic detergents have been added to enhance its performance.  
2 Normative references  
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.  
ISO 456, Surface -active agents — Determination of free caustic alkali  
ISO 457, Analysis of soap — Determination of chloride content  
ISO 672, Analysis of soap — Determination of moisture and volatile matter content  
ISO 673, Analysis of soap — Determination of ethanol insoluble matter  
ISO 684, Analysis of soap — Determination of total free alkali  
ISO 685, Analysis of soap — Determination of total alkali content and total fatty matt er content  
ISO 862, Surface active agents — Vocabulary  
ISO 1067, Analysis of soap — Determination of unsaponifiable, unsaponified, and unsaponified saponifiable 
matter  
ISO 6839, Anionic surface active agents — Determination of solubility in water  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in ISO 862 and the following apply.  
3.1  
batch  
material from a single mix or, in the case of a continuous production process, the material from a single day's 
production   
3.2 
builder  
complementary component of soap, usually inorganic, 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 comprises 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.  DEAS 31: 2020  
2 
 3.3 
built laundry soap  
grade II laundry soap containing moderate quantities of builders (see Table 1 ) 
3.4 
colourin g matter  
any dyestuff that may be used to colour laundry soap  
3.5 
fillers  
materials added to soaps to increase the mass of the product but which in themselves do not improve 
effectiveness of the s oap under the conditions of use  
NOTE  Fillers are generally i nert and of an almost or completely non -detergent character.  
3.6 
free caustic alkali uncombined caustic alkali present in a soap   
3.7 
laundry soap  
soap which is inte nded for use in washing clothes  
NOTE  Laundry soap may contain fillers, builders, colouring matter, perfume, optical brighteners, preservatives, 
glycerine or opac ifiers.  
3.8 
lot 
identified quantity of laundry soap produced under essentially the same conditions  
3.9 
pure laundry soap  
well saponified soaps which, in addition to moisture, may contain amounts of other substances, such as 
colouring matter, perfume, preservative, opacifiers and optical brightening agents.  
3.10 
total fatty matter  
water -insoluble or ether soluble fatty matter unde r the specified conditions of test   
3.11 
total free alkali  
sum of the free caustic alkali and the free carbonate alkali contents   
3.12  
saponification  
chemical reaction in which a fat is converted into a soap by the action of alkaline   
4 Grades of laundry soap  
Laundry soap shall be of the following grades and designations:  
a) pure laundry soap, Grade I (see Table 1) ; and  
b) built/filled laundry soap, Grade II (see Table 1)  
5 Requirements  
5.1 General  requirements  
5.1.1  Appearance  
Laundry soap shall be free from visible dirt and other foreign matter.  DEAS 31:2020  
3 
 5.1.2  Texture  
Laundry soap shall be of firm texture and possess good lathering and cleaning properties.  
5.1.3  Odour  
Laundry soap shall be free from objectionable odour. It shall not leave objectionable odour on cloth es after 
washing and thoroughly rinsing with water.  
5.1.4  Colouring matter  
When coloured laundry soap is used in washing any safe white fabric, it shall not leave any visible stains on the 
fabrics after washing and thorough rinsing with water when tested i n accordance with Annex A . 
5.1.5  Stability  
When immersed in distilled water for one hour at 25  C – 30 C, laundry soap shall not disintegrate, and when 
dried at room temperature for 25 h thereafter, it shall not crumble, crack or break.  
5.1.6  Toxicity  
The product shall not be injurious to health, cause irritation to the skin during use or handling, damage the 
fabrics and shall be environmentally friendly/safe.  
5.2 Specific requirements  
Laundry soap shall comply with the specific quality requirements in Tab le 1. 
Table 1 — Specific requirements for laundry soap  
S/No.  Characteristic  Requirement,  
% (m/m)  Methods of test  
 
Pure laundry 
soap  
Grade I  Built/filled 
laundry soap  
Grade II   
i)  Total fatty matter, %, min  62  45 ISO 685  
ii)  Matter insoluble in water, % max.  0.5 5 ISO 6839  
iii)  Matter insoluble in ethanol, % by 
mass, max  2.5 20 ISO 673  
iv)  Free caustic alkali, as NaOH, % by 
mass, max  0.2 0.4  
ISO 456  or Annex C  
v)  Total free alkali, as NaOH, % by 
mass, max  0.2 0.3 ISO 684  
vi)  Total free fat (unsaponified and 
unsaponifiable fatty matter), % by 
mass, max  0.2 2 ISO 1067  
vii)  Sodium Oxide (Na 2O), by mass % 
max.   0.25 0.4 ISO 456  
viii)  Moisture and volatile matter content 
at 105 C, % by mass, max  30 30 ISO 672  
ix)  Chloride content, as NaCl, % by 
mass, max  1.5 1.5 ISO 457  
x)  Staining  Shall pass the test  Annex A  
NOTE  1 As laundry soap is liable to lose moisture on keeping, the results of analysis in respect to free caustic alkali,  
unsaponified fatty matter,  unsaponifiable matter and matter insoluble in alcohol sh ould be recalculated on the basis of 
the minimum specified total fatty matter by means of the equation  DEAS 31: 2020  
4 
 
matterfattytotal Actualmatterfattytotal specified Minimum results Actual
resultsed Recalculat
 
NOTE 2  As weight of laundry soap is liable to diminish owing to loss of moisture in the soap, the weight of the soap 
bars or cakes should be recalculated on the basis of the minimum specified total fatty matter.  
EXAMPLE  
If a soap bar during analysis is found to weigh 496 g, the actual total fatty matter of that bar is found to be 70.0 %, the 
value of unsaponified matter is found to be  0.56 % and the minimum content of total fatty matter is specified as 62.0 %, 
then recalculated value for unsaponified matter is:  
% 0.469
70.062.0 0.56

 
and the recalculated weight of the soap bar drying is:  
g560
62.070.0 496

 
 
6 Sampling  
Sampling shall be done in accordance to Annex B . 
8 Pack aging and marking  
8.1 Pack aging 
Laundry soap shall be packed in clean, sound and dry containers made of a material, which does not affect the 
product and which protects the product from excessive loss of moisture and shall be from free contamination.  
8.2 Marking  
8.2.1 Packaging  
Each pack age shall be legibly and indelibly labelled either in English, Kiswahili or French or combination or any 
other language as agreed between the manufacturer and supplier with the following information:  
a) the words “Grade I Laundry  Soap ” or “Grade II Laundry S oap”; 
b) manufacturer’s name and physical address  
 NOTE  The name, physical address of the distributor/supplier and trade mark may be added as required  
c) nominal weight of each bar or cake at the time of packaging ; 
d) number of bars or cakes contained in the package ; 
e) country of origin ; 
f) batch number or lot number.  
g) date of manufacture and best before date   
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 
8.2.1 ( a) to (b). DEAS 31:2020  
5 
 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 where possible.  
9 Criteria for conformity  
The lot shall be deemed to comply with this standard, if after insp ection and testing, it complies with the 
requirements specified in Clause 4  and Clause 5.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DEAS 31: 2020  
6 
  
Annex A  
(normative)  
Determination of staining test of laundry bar soap  
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 cott on, nylon and Crimplene C cloth  
A.1.3  Procedure  
A.1.3.1  Rub evenly abou t 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 th en rinse each of the three test swatches are rinsed twice in 
about two litres of water and then dried in the drier.  
NOTE  The staining test is conducted in triplicate for all cloth types.  
A.2 Method 2: Pre -dissolved soap (2.5 % product concentration)  
A.2.1 Principle  
The method involves subjecting fabrics to prolonged 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  
A.2.3.1  Weight 10 g of soap in a honey jar and then add 200 m L 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 (A.2.3.1)  and allow to stand overnight.  
A.2.3.3  Transfer the test swatch in a bowl containing one litre of water and then agitate vigorously by hand 
for 10 s.  
A.2.3.4  Rinse the test swatches in 5 L of water by hand. The times should be fixed for all washes, and then 
dry swatches.   
NOTE  The staining test should be conducted in triplicate for all cloth types.  
 
 
 DEAS 31:2020  
7 
 Annex B  
(normative)  
 
Sampling  
B.1 Procedure  
B.1.1 In a single consignment, all packages (cartons) containing toilet soap cakes drawn from the same batch 
of production shall constitute a lot. F or 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 to be selected for drawing the sample 
shall be in accordance with Table B.1.  
Table B.1 — Scale of sam pling  
Number of packages (cartons) 
in the lot  
N Number of packages (cartons) to be 
selected  
n Number  of samples  
4 to 15  3 3 
16 to 40  4 4 
41 to 65  5 2 
66 to 110  7 2 
111 and above  10 1 
 
B.1.2 The packages 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 k th package, 
where k is the integral part of N  n.  
B.1.3 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.  
B.2 Preparation of test samples  
B.2.1 Composite sample  
Weigh each cake separately (including any material that may have adhered to the wrapper), and calculate the 
average mass.  Cut each of the remaining cakes into eight parts by means of three cuts at right angles to each 
other through the middle. Grate finely the whole of two diagonall y opposite eighths of each specimen. Mix the 
gratings and place in a clean, dry, airtight glass container.  
B.2.2 Samples for testing  
Immediately after preparation of composite sample ( B.2.1), take at one time all test samples required for the 
tests in 4.2 . Weigh out the test sample required for determination of free alkali or acid content, and use it 
immediately.  
 
 DEAS 31:2020    
 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  
  
 Annex C  
(normative)  
 
Determination of free caustic alkali or free fatty acid  
C.0 General  
The method consists in dissolving the soap in alcohol and  titrating the solution with sulphuric acid or alcoholic 
sodium hydroxide  solution, as the case may be.  
C.1 Reagents  
C.1.1 Phenolphthalein Indicator — Dissolve 1 g in 100 m L of 95 % 
C.1.2 Ethyl Alcohol — rectified spirit  
C.1.3 Standard Sulphuric Acid or Standard Hydrochloric Acid — approximately  0.1 N.  
C.1.4 Standard Sodium Hydroxide Solution — approximately 0.1 N.  
C.1.5 Barium Chloride Solution — 10% (m/v).  
C.2 Procedure for Free Caustic Alkali  
C.2.1 For Toilet Soaps and Unbuilt Laundry Soaps — Weigh accurately  about 10 g of the sample into a 250 -
mL flask, ad d about 100 m L of ethyl  alcohol, insert a cork provided with a long tube to act as a reflux  condenser 
and immerse into a boiling water -bath, shaking frequently until  the soap is dissolved. Add about 5 m L of barium 
chloride solution to  eliminate traces of c arbonates which are usually present. Add a few  drops of phenolphthalein 
indicator and titrate with standard sulphuric  acid or hydrochloric acid.  
C.2.2 For Soaps Containing Builders and Filters — Take the filtrate  heat it to boil. Add about 0.5 ml of 
phenolphthalein  indicator and titrate with standard sulphuric or hydrochloric acid.  
C.3 Procedure for Free Fatty Acid — Proceed as prescribed under C.2.1 starting with a fresh sample of soap, 
and omitting the addition of barium  chloride solution and titrat e the alcoholic solution with standard sodium  
hydroxide solution. This procedure is applicable to pure soaps only.  
6.4 Calculation — Calculate the percentage of free caustic alkali (as  NaOH, KOH and K 2O) and free fatty acid 
(as oleic acid) as follows:  
a) Free caustic alkali (as NaOH),  percent by mass  = 4 𝑉 𝑁
𝑀 
b) Free caustic alkali (KOH),  percent by mass  = 5.61 𝑉 𝑁
𝑀 
c) Free caustic alkali (as K 2O), percent by mass  = 4.71 𝑉 𝑁
𝑀 
where  
V = volume in ml of standard sulphuric acid or hydrochloric  acid used,  
N = normality of standard sulphuric acid or hydrochloric acid,  and  
2 
 M = mass in g of the material taken for the test.  
 
d) Free fatty acid, as oleic acid (C 18H34O2), percent by mass  =  
where  
V1 = volume in ml of standard sodium hydroxide solution  used,  
N1 = normality of standard sodium hydroxide solution, and  
M = mass in g of the material taken for the test