Test standards regarding the use and performance of detergents

Basically, the performance standard EN 60456 defines a test procedure for measuring the washing performance of the washing machine under a certain reference detergent (cf. section 1.2.2.1). For testing the performance of detergents themselves, according to (Center for Testmaterials BV [n.d.]), there have been numerous of test methods which were used for detergent testing. In the last

few years there was more movement towards standardisation and consensus. The two main exponents from that are: the AISE-protocol and the Ecolabel-standard which are moving closer together. Especially the AISE-protocol is a base standard that means it leaves a lot of room to add other stains or test materials as well, so that you can better incorporate the protocol into your own protocols. Both protocols incorporate a section on colour management as well.

A.I.S.E. Minimum protocol for comparative detergent performance testing

A.I.S.E., the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products, developed the first detergent test protocol in 2009 and updated it in 2013. The protocol aims at advising test institutes and consumer organisation about the minimum set of tests for assessing the performance of detergents across Europe, independent from the country under test. The A.I.S.E. working group “Detergent Testing” has published the “Minimum protocol for comparative detergent performance testing” for Heavy Duty, Colour Save and Light Duty Detergents and Stain Removers. The test protocol includes minimum requirements – free to exceed those but not lower them, and can be adapted to different countries/regions, differences in wash habits, wash temperatures, recommended dosages, etc. Inter alia, the test protocol defines parameter like dosage, soil donator, stain set, dyes for dye transfer inhibition, dyes for colour maintenance, the test execution, statistical evaluation or requirements to the communication of results prior to publication.

For example, dosages should be based on manufacturers’ recommendation. Regarding the wash temperature, the temperature that is most relevant in the country shall be selected; different temperatures may be used if justified by product category. In most countries this is 40 °C for generalist detergents.

The protocol has been developed based on experts' knowledge of major companies manufacturing such products, after a thorough review of existing test protocols used in Western Europe and of existing internal company data. For more information, please refer to

http://www.aise.eu/our-activities/standards-and-industry-guidelines/detergent-test-protocol.aspx EU Ecolabel Performance Test for Laundry Detergents

In June 2014, the final draft of a revised EU Ecolabel Performance Test for Laundry Detergents has been published (European Commission 2014d).

The test protocol serves as a prove to show compliance with Criterion 6 – Washing performance (fitness for use) of the Commission Decision establishing EU Ecolabel criteria for Laundry Detergents. It detailed describes the test criteria, materials and conditions (such as water hardness, water inlet temperature, ballast load, stains set, soil, dosage, number of cycles etc.), the methods and test procedures including evaluation of stain removal, basic degree of whiteness, colour maintenance and dye transfer inhibition.

For example, the test load for heavy duty detergents (HDD), powder and liquid, contains a clean all cotton ballast load for the normal cotton wash program to reach a total weight of 4.5 kg. The dosage of the detergent to be tested shall be done in accordance to the producer recommendation. Different wash programmes are used for the Ecolabel performance test, depending on the kind of detergent to be tested (cf. Table 1.34).

With low temperature and cold-water wash products, the washing performance will be determined at the lowest stated temperature at which the detergent is claimed to be effective. The reference detergent must be tested at 30 ºC.

Table 1.34: Different wash programmes for the EU Ecolabel test on detergents; source (European Commission 2014d)

Wash

programme T

a

efficient programme Wash test product Wash programme reference detergent Water inlet Ta _(test product) Water inlet Ta _(ref. detergent) Heating element dis- connected HDD/CSD 30 °C 30 ºC, normal cotton program, 1200 rpm 30 ºC, normal cotton program, 1200 rpm (20.0±2.0) ºC (20.0±2.0) ºC No HDD/CSD 20 °C 20 ºC, normal cotton program, 1200 rpm 30 ºC, normal cotton program, 1200 rpm (20.0±2.0) ºC (20.0±2.0) ºC No HDD/CSD 15 °C 20 ºC, normal cotton program, 1200 rpm 30 ºC, normal cotton program, 1200 rpm (15.0±2.0) ºC (20.0±2.0) ºC Yes LDD 30 °C 30 ºC, delicate program, 600rpm 30 ºC, delicate program, 600 rpm (20.0±2.0) ºC (20.0±2.0) ºC No LDD 20 °C 20 ºC, delicate program, 600 rpm 30 ºC, delicate program, 600 rpm (20.0±2.0) ºC (20.0±2.0) ºC No LDD 15 °C 20 ºC, delicate program, 600 rpm 30 ºC, delicate program, 600 rpm (15.0±2.0) ºC (20.0±2.0) ºC Yes HDD: Heavy Duty Detergent; CSD: Colour Safe Detergent; LDD: Low Duty Detergent

Nordic Ecolabel Performance Test (fitness for use)

The Scandinavian Ecolabel “Nordic Swan” labels products which are environmentally friendly and “fit for use”. Beside an ecological evaluation of the ingredients, the product must proof its performance in a so called Nordic Ecolabel Performance Test (fitness for use). The Test is detailed described in Appendix 6 (Nordic Ecolabel Performance Test (fitness for use)) of the Nordic Ecolabelling of Laundry detergents and stain removers, Version 7.7 (Nordic Ecolabelling 2011).

The performance test is categorised into four different parts for Heavy-Duty detergents, Low-duty detergents, Stain removers with subsequent wash and Stain removers without subsequent wash. It clearly defines parameters such as washing machines and wash programmes, water quality, materials, the test procedure, evaluation and sets limit values.

Other performance tests for laundry detergents

Further own or adapted test protocols for performance testing of laundry detergents are applied for example by consumer testing magazines like Que Choisir, Stiftung Warentest, Which? Consumentenbond, Test Achat, AFISE. The report of the EU project MarketWatch “Approaches and priority parameters tested by consumer associations and independent organisations performing tests on energy-using products” provides an overview of the current activities of consumer associations and independent endorsement organisations in Europe with respect to the testing of energy-using products. It is based on a survey conducted among the MarketWatch project partners and their partners/members.

The report is available on: