Soaps, Detergents & Toiletries

Soaps and Detergents

Soaps are the sodium salts of carboxylic acids in long chains. Sodium salts of long-chain benzene sulphonic acids are detergents. Soaps are biodegradable while some of the detergents cannot be biodegraded. Soaps have relatively weak cleaning action, whereas detergents have a strong cleaning effect.

In order to perform as detergents (surface-active agents), soaps and detergents must have certain chemical structures: their molecules must contain a hydrophobic (water-insoluble) part, such as a fatty acid or a rather long chain carbon group, such as fatty alcohols or alkylbenzene. The molecule must also contain a hydrophilic (water-soluble) group, such as ―COONa, or a sulfo group, such as ―OSO₃Na or ―SO₃Na (such as in fatty alcohol sulfate or alkylbenzene sulfonate), or a long ethylene oxide chain in nonionic synthetic detergents. This hydrophilic part makes the molecule soluble in water. In general, the hydrophobic part of the molecule attaches itself to the solid or fibre and onto the soil, and the hydrophilic part attaches itself to the water.

Four groups of surface-active agents are distinguished:

1. Anionic detergents(including soap and the largest portion of modern synthetic detergents), which produce electrically negative colloidal ions in solution.
2. Cationic detergents, which produce electrically positive ions in solution.
3. Nonionic detergents, which produce electrically neutral colloidal particles in solution.
4. Ampholytic, or amphoteric, detergents, which are capable of acting either as anionic or cationic detergents in solution depending on the pH (acidity or alkalinity) of the solution.

Toiletries

Personal care products are consumer products which are applied on various external parts of the body such as skin, hair, nails, lips, external genital and anal areas, as well as teeth and mucous membrane of the oral cavity, in order to make them clean, protect them from harmful germs and keep them in good condition. They promote personal hygiene and overall health, well-being and appearance of those body parts. Toiletries form a narrower category of personal care products which are used for basic hygiene and cleanliness as a part of a daily routine. Cosmetic products, in contrast, are used for personal grooming and beautification (aesthetically enhance a person’s appearance). Pharmaceutical products are not considered personal care products. Simply, anything you use for cleaning or grooming yourself is a toiletry.

Example : Shampoo, dental floss, deodorant, and face wash.

Powder Detergent Testing Requirements

• Visual inspection
• Moisture & volatile
• Surface Active substance
• Anionic Surface-Active agent
• Non-ionic Surface-Active agent
• Determination of silicate percentage
• Determination of phosphate percentage
• Active Oxygen in detergents containing
• Bleaching agent
• Determination of pH value
• Rinsing properties
• Heavy Metals
• Brightening agent
• Biodegradability
• Sodium carbonate
• Soap content

Dishwashing Detergent Testing Requirements

• Visual inspection
• Determination of pH value
• Determination of surface-active agents
• Rinsing properties
• Viscosity
• Density
• Heavy metal
• Biodegradability

Testing Requirements for Synthetic Detergent for Kitchen

• Visual inspection
• Determination of pH value
• Heavy metals
• fluorescent brightener
• Detection of Alcohol
• Biodegradability
• Test of Detergency
• Determination of surface-active agent equivalent content

Testing Requirements for Germicidal Liquid Detergent For General Purposes

• Visual inspection
• Determination of Total Solids Matter
• Determination of pH value
• Stability to Hard Water Test
• Stability at Low Temperature Test
• Germicidal Activity Test
• Cleaning efficiency Test
• Biodegradability
• Determination of Heavy Metals

SASO Standards for Detergents

SASO GSO 2059     :   Synthetic liquid detergents for Clothing and fabrics

SASO GSO 2077     :   Colored textiles detergent

SASOGSO 151        :   Synthetic detergents- detergents Powder

SASO GSO 1946     :   Synthetic Detergents for Kitchen

SASO GSO 1110     :   Sodium Bicarbonate

SASO GSO 802       :   Sodium Hypochlorite Solution for Domestic uses

SASO GSO 884       :   Liquid Glass Clear

SASO GSO 46 1      :   Carpet cleaner liquid

SASO GSO 877       :   Soap Flakes

SASO GSO 1786     :   Ornamental soap

SASO GSO 1894     :   Hand washing liquid soap

SASO 1958              :   bathroom odor removers

SASO GSO 2238     :   Dishwashing liquid

SASO 2620              :   Laundry Flower (indigo)

SASO GSO 1897     :   Liquid clothing softener

SASO GSO 1944     :   Transparent, semi- transparent and opaque Glycerol soap

SASO GSO 1942     :   Transparent soap

SASO GSO I 895     :   Toilet soap for children

SASO GSO 2161     :   Chemical cleaners – mixed-use gel

SASO GSO 1948     :   Antimicrobial Liquid detergent for general purpose

SASO GSO 230I      :   Industrial detergents in the form of paste for clothes

SASO GSO 2172     :   Olive Oil Soap

SASO GSO 2439     :   cleaners- Shiny Powder

SASO GSO 2234     :   cleaners – fatty patches remover for clothing and textiles

Standards of the UAE system for controlling detergents

UAE .S GSO 2059       :   Synthetic liquid detergents for clothing and fabrics

UAE .S GSO 2077       :   Colored textiles detergent

UAE .S GSO 151.        :   Synthetic Detergents, Detergents Powder

UAE .S GSO 1946.      :   Synthetic detergents for kitchen

UAE .S GSO 1110.      :   Sodium bicarbonate

UAE .S GSO 528.        :   Liquid chlorine

UAE .S GSO 884.        :   Liquid glass cleaner

UAE .S GSO 461.        :   Carpet cleaner liquid

UAE .S GSO 877.        :   Soap flakes

Test Methods for soap, detergents and toiletries

ASTM D2180       :   Detergent Powder Active oxygen

ASTM D2180       :   Toilet blocks RIM – Determination of active oxygen in detergents containing bleaching agent

ESS 1560              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -pH

ESS 1560              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Disinfecting efficiency

ESS 1560              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Cleaning power

ESS 1560              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Odour

ESS 1560              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Homogeneity

ESS 1560              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Undesirable effects if any

ESS 1560              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Easiness to use

ESS 1560              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Active matter

ESS 4158              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -pH

ESS 4158              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Disinfecting efficiency

ESS 4158              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Cleaning power

ESS 4158              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Odour

ESS 4158              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Homogeneity

ESS 4158              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Undesirable effects if any

ESS 4158              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Easiness to use

ESS 4158              :   Liquid Synthetic detergent for general purpose -Active matter

GSO 152               :   Sodium carbonate in detergent

GSO 152/GSO 2060 : Detergent-Chloride

GSO 152               :   Synthetic Detergents – Method Of Test For Household Synthetic Detergents Power Anionic Active Matter

GSO 152               :   Washing powders — Determination of total phosphorus(V) oxide content — Quinoline phosphomolybdate gravimetric method phosphate content

GSO 152               :   Determination of silica content — Gravimetric method by insolubilization

GSO 152/2007    :   Body Cleaners determination of silicate

GSO 152/2007    :   Detergent Powder Total builder

GSO 152/2007    :   Detergent Powder Optical Brightener Agent

GSO 152/2007    :   Detergent Powder – Determination of silicate percentage

GSO 152/2007    :   Detergent Powder – Determination of non-ionic surface-active agent

GSO 152/2007    :   Detergent Powder Determination of soap content

GSO 152/2007    :   Detergent Powder – Determination of sodium carbonate

GSO 152/2007    :   Soap – Determination of soap content

GSO 152/2007    :   Soap – Determination of non-ionic surface-active agent

GSO 152/2007    :   Soap – Determination of Sodium carbonate

GSO 152/2007    :   Detergent Powder Rinsing properties test

GSO 152/2007    :   Soap – Determination of soap content

GSO 152/2007    :   Soap – Determination of Sodium carbonate

GSO 152/2007    :   Synthetic liquid detergents determination of rinsing properties

GSO 152:2007    :   Synthetic liquid detergents determination of brightening agent

GSO 200              :   Determination of moisture and volatile matter content

GSO 391              :   Methods Of Test For Liquid Detergents For Dishwashing.-Rinsing Property

GSO 391:1994    :   Soap – Determination of non-ionic surface-active agent

GSO 395              :   Hair Shampoo– Moisture And Volatile Matter

GSO 395              :   Hand Wash- Alcohol insoluble matter

GSO 395:2011  :   Determination of pH of Hair Shampoo

GSO 395:2011    :   Determination of Total volatile content of Hair Shampoo

GSO 461                :   Liquid carpet shampoos Liquid Alkalinity

GSO 461                :   Liquid carpet shampoos-oxidising and reducing agents

GSO 461                :   Liquid carpet shampoos-Optical Brightening

GSO 1095:2002    :   Determination of Chloride content of Soaps and Hand wash

GSO 1098              :   Methods Of Testing Toilet Soaps unsaponified matter

GSO 1098              :   Soap—Chloride

GSO 1098              :   Shaving Cream- Alcohol insoluble matter

GSO 1098              :   Methods Of Testing Toilet Soaps-Water Insoluble Matter

GSO 1098:2002    :   Bar Soap – Determination of ethanol insoluble matters

GSO 1098:2002    :   Bar Soap – Determination of acid number of the fatty acids

GSO 1098:2002    :   Bar Soap – Determination of rosin content

GSO 1098:2002    :   Bar Soap – Free Caustic Alkali Content – as NaOH

GSO 1115/GSO 1116 Clause 5 : Shaving cream-Unsaponified Matter

GSO 1115/GSO 1116 Clause 7 : Shaving Cream- Alcohol insoluble matter

GSO 1115/GSO 1116 Clause 9 : Shaving creams water Insoluble Matter

GSO 1115/GSO 1116 Clause 12 : Shaving Cream-Moisture And Volatile Matter

GSO 1895/ GSO 1098 Clause 8  : Toilet Soap For Children-Water Insoluble Matter

GSO 1895/GSO 1098 Clause 7   : Toilet Soap For Children-Ethanol Insoluble Matter

GSO 1895/GSO 152 Clause 14   : Toilet Soap For Children-Heavy Metal Content

GSO 1897              :   Cationic active matter in fabric softeners

GSO 1943              :   Germicidal Liquid, Body Cleaner, Hand Wash, Disposable Baby Diaper, Dish wash, Hair Dye- Liquid, Gel, Cream, Hair Conditioner, Hair Shampoo, Skin Cream, Wet Wipes, pH

GSO 1944                 :   Glycerin Soap – Transparent, Translucent And Opaque moisture and volatile matter

GSO 1944                 :   Glycerin Soap – Transparent, Translucent And Opaque TFM

GSO 1944                 :   Glycerin Soap – Transparent, Translucent And Opaque Water insoluble matter

GSO 1944                 :   Glycerin Soap – Transparent, Translucent And Opaque ethanol insoluble matter

GSO 1944                  :   Glycerin Soap – Transparent, Translucent And Opaque Free alkali content

GSO 1945:2009         :   Glycerin Soap glycerine content

GSO 1946                  :   Synthetic detergent- Determination of surface-active agent equivalent content

GSO 1946                  :   Synthetic detergent Test of Detergency

GSO 1947                  :   Synthetic Detergents For Kitchen – Test Methods Fluorescent Brightener

GSO 1947:2009         :   Synthetic liquid detergents Determination of Biodegradability

GSO 1949                   :   Germicidal Liquid Detergent For General Purposes – Test Methods Germicidal Activity

GSO 1949                   :   Germicidal Liquid-Moisture And Volatile Matter

GSO 1949                   :   Germicidal Liquid Detergent For General Purposes – Test Methods-Total Solids

GSO 1949                   :   Germicidal Liquid Detergent For General Purposes – Test Methods-Stability To Hard Water

GSO 2060:2010         :   Synthetic liquid detergents determination of total active material percentage

GSO 2060:2010         :   Synthetic liquid detergents determination of silicate

GSO 2060:2010         :   Synthetic liquid detergents determination of phosphate content

GSO 2239                   :   Body cleaners, shower gel. liquid soap Detection of alkyl aryl sulphonates

GSO 2239                   :   Body Cleaner-Chloride

GSO 2240                   :   Cosmetic Products – Synthetic Detergents – Liquid Soap For Hands- Chloride content

GSO 2240                   :   Cosmetic Products – Synthetic Detergents – Liquid Soap For Hands-Sulphate

GSO 2241:2012         :   Hair Shampoo Selenium disulphide

GSO 2241:2012         :   Hair Shampoo Preservatives Salicylic acid

GSO 224                     :   Cosmetic Products – Synthetic Detergents – Liquid Soap For Hands –Test Methods Alcohol insoluble matter

GSO 4316:1994        :   Determination of pH of aqueous solution of Surface active agents and Detergents

GSO 4316:1994        :   Determination of pH of Dish wash

GSO ISO 672             :   Toilet Soap For Children- Moisture And Volatile Matter

GSO ISO 672:1994   :   Determination of Moisture and Volatile Matter of Soap

GSO ISO 672:1994   :   Determination of Moisture and Volatile matter of Detergents

GSO ISO 685             :   Toilet Soap for Children- Total Fatty Matter

GSO ISO 7768           :   Clothes Liquid Softener impact on fabric

ISO 672                      :   Soaps — Determination of moisture and volatile matter content — Oven method

ISO 2271                    :   Synthetic Detergents – Method Of Test For Household Synthetic Detergents Power Anionic Active Matter

ISO 4313                    :   Washing powders — Determination of total phosphorus(V) oxide content — Quinoline phosphomolybdate gravimetric method phosphate content

ISO 4313-1976          :   Synthetic Detergents In The Form Of Paste For Clothing. Determination Phosphate test

ISO 20126:2012        :   Dentistry — Manual toothbrushes — General requirements and test methods – Determination of resistance to chemical challenge of tooth brush

ISO 20126:2012        :   Dentistry — Manual toothbrushes — General requirements and test methods Physical inspection of tooth brush

METS IP-74                :   Hair Shampoo Preservatives Salicylic acid

METS IP-61                :   TOOTHPASTE – METHODS OF TEST Fluoride

METS IP – 77             :   Shaving Cream, Soap -Total Fatty Matter

METS IP – 78             :   Body Cleaner, Hand Wash, Dish wash, Liquid Carpet Shampoo, Hair Conditioner, Hair Shampoo, Gel Cleaner, Liquid Detergent -Total Active Matter

ETS IP – 79                :   Liquid detergent. Soap, Detergents, Dish wash, Sodium Hypochlorite Solution – Metal Analysis

METS IP – 80            :   Hand Wash, Dish wash, Detergents, Anionic Surfactant, Liquid Detergent – Biodegradability

METS IP – 81            :   Germicidal Liquid, Body Cleaner, Hand Wash, Disposable Baby Diaper, Dish wash, Hair Dye- Liquid, Gel, Cream, Hair Conditioner, Hair Shampoo, Skin Cream, Wet Wipes, pH

METS IP – 83            :   Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Perfumery Product-Alcohol Content Methanol Content, Ethanol Co

METS IP – 84            :   Mouthwash, Liquid Detergent-Alcohol Content-Methanol Content, Ethanol Content

METS IP – 85            :   Perfumery Product, Air Freshener, Germicidal Liquid, Hand Wash, Disposable Baby Diaper, Hair Dye, (Liquid Gel, Cream) Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Cloth Liquid Softener, Sanitary Diaper & Pads, Toothpaste, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Intimate Wash, Cosmetics, Baby Care Products, Mouthwash, Talcum Powder -Formaldehyde

METS IP – 86 & 87   :   Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Perfumery Product, Talcum powder Allergens,

METS IP – 88            :   Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Perfumery Product-Phthalate

METS IP – 89            :   Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Perfumery Product-1,4 Dioxane

METS IP – 91            :   Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Perfumery Product-Triclosan

METS IP – 92            :   Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Perfumery Product-P-Phenylenediamine

METS IP – 93            :   Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Perfumery Product-Nitrosamine

METS IP – 102          :   Cosmetics & Personal Care Products, Perfumery Product-Hydroquinone

SASO 509                  :   Synthetic Detergents – Method Of Test For Household Synthetic Detergents Power Anionic Active Matter

SASO 719                  :   Methods Of Test For Liquid Detergents For Dishwashing.-Rinsing Property

SASO 724                  :   Hair Shampoo– Moisture And Volatile Matter

SASO 724                  :   Hand Wash- Alcohol insoluble matter

SASO 801                  :   TOOTHPASTE – METHODS OF TEST-Stability test

SASO 801SASO 801 :   TOOTHPASTE – METHODS OF TEST-pH

SASO 802                  :   TOOTHPASTE – METHODS OF TEST Fluoride

SASO 2066                :   Synthetic Detergents For Kitchen – Test Methods Fluorescent Brightener

SASO 2242                :   Cosmetic Products – Synthetic Detergents – Liquid Soap For Hands –Test Methods Alcohol insoluble matter

SASO 2926:2018      :   Dishwashing tabs – Determination of active oxygen in detergents containing bleaching agents

SASO GSO 877         :   SOAP FLAKES – determination of thickness

SASO GSO 1894       :   Hand Wash Liquid Soap – determination of titer test of mixed fatty acids

SASO GSO 1894       :   Hand Wash Liquid Soap. determination of rosin

SASO GSO 1894       :   Hand Wash Liquid Soap. determination of borax

SASO GSO 1894       :   Hand Wash Liquid Soap – determination of free alkali and free acid

SASO GSO 1942       :   Synthetic Detergents In The Form Of Paste For Clothing. determination of rosin content

SASO GSO 1943       :   Liquid detergent. Soap, Detergents, Dish wash, Sodium Hypochlorite Solution – Metal Analysis

Are you worried that the quality of your toiletries and the safety of the product is not included with industry regulations? 

Safety and quality are vital for the manufacturers of personal care products. End product consumers are increasingly demanding proof of quality, compliance and efficiency from raw mat to finished product our experts will help you demonstrate that your materials and products are compliant to market requirements, enabling you trade all over the world with confidence along with testing, we often additional added value solutions to help manufacturers, importers and retailers know the applicable requirements, check the safety, quality , performance of their products throughout the supply chain and protect your brand.

At Mets Lab

·       We provides testing and  inspection services for a wide range of complex toiletries such as: shower gels, soaps, detergents, bath salts, bath oil, tooth paste, shampoos, and washes etc

·      Our wide range of  testing services Includes, but not limited to allergens analysis, Raw material QC testing, contaminant Analysis, colour additive testing, stability testing, physical and mechanical performance testing, safety assessment, heaving metals testing etc.

·      With professional analysis team and advanced instruments, we provide you with the most accurate testing results in the shortest time possible. 

·      We follow all the international standard method for testings BS EN, SASO, GSO,METS IP as per ISO/IEC 17025 accreditaation.

·      These test methods detail the standard procedures for the chemical analysis of soaps containing synthetic detergents. The analytical procedures include the determination of the following chemical properties and substances:

o  Moisture and other matter volatile at a specified temperature

o  Free alkali or free acid

o  Anhydrous, salt-free soda soap

o  Alcohol-soluble matter

o  Matter insoluble inwater

o  Total alkalinity of matter insoluble in alcohol (alkaline salts)

o  Sodium silicate, phosphates; phosphates by colorimetric method using molybdenum blue)

o  Unsaponified and unsaponifiable matter

o  Free fatty matter

o  Chlorides in alcohol-soluble matter

o   Synthetic detergent by difference etc

Mets Lab is also accredited to provide Virucidal Efficacy Test as per BS EN14476. Contact us for all you testing requirements for Soap, Cosmetic testing etc.