Framework for testing performance for hard surface cleaning products

Content
0. Background
1. Laboratory test
2. User test
3. References
Annex 1 Example

0. Background
This test protocol serves as a proof of compliance with the criterion "Fitness for use" in the
Commission Decision 2017/1227 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for "Hard Surface
Cleaning Products".
The test is for products that fall within the scope of the product group "Hard Surface Cleaning
Products". This means cleaning products designed to be used for routine cleaning of hard
surfaces such as walls, floors and other fixed surfaces including those in kitchens, windows,
glass and other highly polished surfaces or sanitary facilities, such as laundry rooms, toilets,
bathrooms, showers.
The performance test can be a laboratory test or a user test. In addition to the performance
test, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the cleaning product is safe to use on
the intended surface(s). The conditions for both types of test are described in the following
sections.

1. Laboratory test
The aim of the laboratory test is to confirm that the test product cleans as well as or better
than a comparable reference product or a reference generic formulation. The highest
recommended dilution ratio should be used in the test, when a dosage range is given for a
normal soiling.

1.1 Laboratory requirements

The manufacturer's test laboratory or/and an external test laboratory can be approved to
conduct testing to document effectiveness of hard surface cleaners if the following
requirements are met:
- it must be possible for EU Ecolabel competent bodies to monitor the performance of
testing (e.g. on-site visits to the laboratory),
- the EU Ecolabel Competent Body must have access to all data on the product (e.g.
technical data sheets),
- whenever possible, the samples must be made anonymous for the test laboratory (e.g.
product A and product B). For tests where the reference product is a generic
formulation, the tester shall be aware to modify the test method as appropriate,
- the test laboratories must be equipped with the devices described in the test method,
- performance of the effectiveness test as well as the test method must be described in
the quality control system.
Competent bodies shall preferentially recognise attestations which are issued by bodies
accredited in accordance with the relevant harmonised standard for testing and calibration
laboratories and verifications by bodies that are accredited in accordance with the relevant
harmonised standard for bodies certifying products, processes and services. Accreditation
shall be carried out in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European
Parliament and of the Council.

1.2 Reference product

- The test product and the reference product shall be of the same product category
(designed for the same use, i.e. both should be WC cleaners, kitchen cleaners,
sanitary cleaners, flooring cleaners, window cleaners, etc.) and in the same dilution
form (RTU, undiluted, concentrated, etc.).
- A marketed reference product or a generic formulation can be chosen as the reference
product1. A marketed product is understood to be a product that is available for
purchase at the time of testing, in the intended market segment and in the intended
market region of the applicant's product. The marketed reference product or the
generic formulation shall be approved by the competent body in charge of the
application prior to the testing. A database with the marketed reference products that
have been approved by the different competent bodies can be found in CIRCA
If a marketed product is chosen as a comparative reference product (e.g. for all
purpose cleaners, for sanitary cleaners or for window cleaners), it shall be one present
in the region, where the applicant’s product is to be marketed and making the similar
claims about cleaning properties as the applicant's product. The marketed product
must be approved by the competent body in charge of the application prior to the
testing, and the trade name must be referenced in the test report and technical sheets
and the label shall be provided to the competent body.
For concentrated all-purpose cleaners and kitchen cleaners, the reference product
shall have the same application, comparable dilution ratio and Ph-value as the test
product.
- A generic composition not included in Table 1 can be used as a comparative
reference product as long as:
- it has a composition which is representative for the products on the market,
- it is approved by the corresponding competent body, and
- the exact formulation is publicly available free of charge.
Table 1 shows several generic formulations that shall be used as reference products for some
cleaners, whenever an applicant chooses to use a generic formulation rather than a marketed
product.

Table 1. Generic formulations that shall be used as comparative reference products.

Acidic toilet cleaners

Source: Recommendation for the quality assessment of acidic toilet cleaners (SOFW-journal 126, 11, 2000)
Ingredient % Composition CAS n., specification
Citric acid monohydrate 4%
Alkane sulphonate Hostapur SAS 60 1% Hoechst. active
Rheozan 0,23 % Rhodia
Tap water 94,77 %
Preparation and observations:
Have tap water ready, slowly add Rheozan and stir with the dissolver (tap water) for 30min until completely
dissolved. Then add citric acid and alkane sulphonate (pure). Do not use for at least 12h after preparation. The
following physic-chemical parameters must be complied with:
Viscosity: 550mPass ± 50 (Brookfield 20 °C, Spindle 2, 20 rpm or alternatively Brookfield 20 °C, 450mPa/s±50
with a small sample adapter spindle 31, 20 rpm ) Viscosity adjustment by adding Rheozan

1 A marketed product can be selected regardless of sales volume. It can also be another EU
Ecolabel product that has the same intended use.
 Bathroom cleaner
Source: Recommendation for the quality assessment of bathroom cleaners (SOFW-journal 129, 11, 2003)
Ingredient % Composition CAS n., specification
Citric acid monohydrate 4%
Hostapur SAS 60 1% Hoechst, active
Tap water 95 %
Preparation and observations:
If bathroom cleaners are testing according to IKW-test "recommendation for the quality assessment of acidic
toilet cleaners (SOFW- journal 126, 11, pp 50-56, 2000), the IKW reference cleaner for toilet cleaners can be used
as a reference product, provided the pH of the reference is adjusted to 3.5

All-purpose cleaners*
Source: Recommendation for the quality assessment of all purpose cleaners (SOFW-journal 141, 6, 2015)
Ingredient % Composition CAS n., example
Sodium hydroxyde, 1,74 % aqueous solution conc 45%
Alkylbenzene sulfonic acid C10-13 6% ca conc 97%
Fatty acid C12-18 4% Edenor K12-18 (100%)
Fatty alcohol ethoxylate C12-18, 7EO 4% Dehydol LT 7 (100%)
Fatty alcohol ether sulfate C12-14, 2EO Na salt 4,29 % Texapon N70 (70%)
Methylisothiazoline/benzisothiazolinone 0,1 % Acticide MBR1
Water, fully demineralized 79.87 %
Preparation and observations:
Take approx. ¾ of the water as a basis, add sodium hydroxide (NaOH), add alkylbenzene sulfonic acid and stir for
at least 15 min. Add fatty acid and stir for at least 10 min. Add fatty alcohol ethoxylate and stir for ca 10 min. Add
fatty alcohol ether sulfate and stir until full dissolved.
Control pH value (target value 9.3±0.3) if this target is not met; adjust with NaOH. Add preservative (ie
methylisothiazoline/benzisothiazolinene), add remaining water, stir for 10 min
Appearance: yellowish, clear

Window cleaners
Source: ABL LABORATOIRE www.abl-laboratoire.fr
Ingredient % composition Comments
Peanut oil 81,3% Available in SIGMA
Kaolin 18,7% Available in FLUKA
Preparation and observations:
Mix the ingredients until the mix is homogenous. Spread 1g of this soil on a mirror (30 x 30 cm) with a pipette by
crossing like a paint. Place the mirror into the oven at 100°C for 2h and .leave it to cool for 1h before testing.
* APCs can be very different depending on their application (pH value, dilution, concentration of detergents, etc.).
Therefore before using this generic formulation it shall be ensured that the properties of the reference product are
similarl to the test product.

1.3 Dosage

Dosages used shall be as follows:

1.3.a) Undiluted products (only products for which there are indications on the
packaging/user instructions that the product can be used in their undiluted form must be
tested both in the diluted and undiluted form)
- Clear drying and streak formation performance in RTU solutions (diluted form of the
undiluted products): The dosage and dilution used shall be the recommended reference
dosage and dilution for normal soil or normal use. If a dosage or dilution interval is given, the
lowest recommended dosage or highest recommended dilution must be used in the test.
- Cleaning performance in undiluted form: Cleaning products (usually all-purpose cleaners or
sanitary cleaners) that give indications that they can be used in diluted or undiluted form, e.g.
for floor cleaning, should also be tested in their undiluted form and using the dosage indicated
in the user instructions for that specific use. The results of the test performance should be
compared to those of the generic formulation or marketed product.

1.3.b) Ready to use products

- Clear drying and streak formation performance in RTU form: The dosage used shall be the
recommended dosage for normal soil or normal use. If no recommended dosage is stated the
same dosage must be used for both testing and reference products. If a dosage interval is
given, the lowest recommended dosage must be used in the test.
1.3.c) Powder products or other solid forms shall be tested in their "RTU form" and shall be
prepared following the recommended dilution instructions.

1.4. Soiling
The soil or soil mixture must be relevant for the use of the product, homogeneous and, if
prepared artificially, based on well-described substances. Enough soil for the whole test must
be prepared in a single batch. The soil mixture to be tested for each type of product and the
information about its preparation are specified in Table 2.

Table 2. Reference sources of soil and fat mixture to be tested for each type of product.
Equivalent soil and fat mixtures can also be used.
Product Soiling mixture Preparation of the soiling - Source
Descaling: lime soap and
Bathroom cleaners SOFW-Journal 129, 11-2003
limescale
Acid toilet cleaners Descaling: limescale SOFW-Journal 129, 11-2003
Fat removing SOFW-Journal 141, 6-2015
Kitchen cleaners Descaling: limescale2 test on white Carrarra marble
Descaling: lime soap SOFW-Journal 129, 11-2003
Fat removing
All-purpose cleaners SOFW-Journal 141, 6-2015
Dust
Light fat removing
Window cleaners No official test has been found.
Strip-less drying

1.5. Procedure and testing requirements

The cleaning procedure shall reflect realistic use conditions (i.e. considering the mechanical
factor of cleaning) and can be manual or performed by machinery.
Each product shall be tested in at least 5 repetitions. The order of testing of the products shall
be randomised.
The quantity of soil applied to tiles or another substrate shall be the same for each tile or
substrate-part, weighed in grams to one decimal point (within a tolerance ± 0,5g).
The test must be capable of generating results that provide a measure of the cleaning
performance according to the product tested. Cleaning performance can be measured visually,
photometrically (i.e. measuring reflectance), gravimetrically or by means of another relevant
method. The method of measurement, including a possible scoring system, shall be decided in
advance.
To prepare the RTU form according to the manufacturer instructions, water at a water
hardness level of 2,5 mmol CaCO3/l shall be used and homogenized. (Information about how
to achieve this water hardness can be found in the preparation specification of SOFW-Journal
141, 6-2015). Prepared cleaning product solutions may be used at most for one working day
and shall be homogenised prior to any use.

2 Only if the manufacturers claim on the package a descaling effect or a possible use on this
kind of surface (e.g. sink cleaner)
Table 3. Procedure for testing the cleaning performance of the different products. Equivalent test
methods can be used.
Product Parameter to be tested Procedure - Source
Bathroom Limescale removal properties tested SOFW-Journal 129, 11-2003
cleaners on horizontal and vertical surfaces When testing bathroom cleaners according to
(RTU)* Lime soap removal SOFW-Journal 126, 11-2000 the reference
Bathroom Limescale removal properties tested cleaner for toilet cleaners can be used as a
cleaners on horizontal or vertical surfaces reference generic formulation provided the pH of
(undiluted) Lime soap removal the reference is adjusted to 3,5
Acid toilet
Limescale removal properties SOFW-Journal 126, 11-2000
cleaners
Limesoap and limescale properties
Kitchen SOFW-Journal 129, 11-2003
(if claimed to be effective)
cleaners
Fat removing SOFW-Journal 141, 6-2015
All-purpose
Fat removing and dust SOFW-Journal 141, 6-2015
cleaners
As leaving a clean and stripe-less surface is also
one of the main performance aspects of window
Window
Light fat removing cleaners, the method for stripe-less drying as
cleaners
Clear drying and streak formation described in the IKW method (SOFW Journal
(RTU)*
130, 54-2005) for APC could be used for window
cleaners.
* the lowest concentration, i.e. highest dilution rate, shall be used in the test method
For undiluted window cleaners the same requirements are applied.

1.6 Assessment
The assessment of cleanliness must include testing and comparison of the test product with a
reference product.
For the test product to be considered to have fulfilled the performance requirements, its
results must be positive in all the repetitions 3. If the result is less than all positive, 5 new
repetitions must be performed. Of these 10 repetitions, a ratio (positive results/total number of
results) of 0,8 must be achieved. In case limescale removal is tested for an acidic toilet
cleaner, a ratio of 0,7 (7 positive results/10 repetitions) shall be considered as a positive
outcome of the test.
As an alternative the applicant may use statistical methods and demonstrate with a one-sided
95% confidence range that the test product is as good as or better than the reference product.

Table 4. Assessment of the results for testing the cleaning performance of the different products
Product Assessment according to the procedure described in
Bathroom cleaners SOFW-Journal 129, 11-2003
Toilet cleaners SOFW-Journal 126, 11-2000
Kitchen cleaners SOFW-Journal 141, 6-2015
All purpose cleaners SOFW-Journal 141, 6-2015
Test window cleaner product should be as good as a reference product and
Window cleaners better than water of a defined hardness.
SOFW-Journal 130, 54-2005 (only the method for stripe-less drying)

1.7 Documentation requirements

All tests must be reported in accordance with the following points to be included in the report:

3 "Positive results" mean that the cleaning performance of the test product is equal or better
than that of the reference product.
 - Description of how the test and reference products were made anonymous to the
person(s) performing the test..
- Description of the reference product and description of how the reference product
was chosen and approved by the corresponding competent body. If the test product
has a corresponding generic formulation in Table 1 and it is not used, justification of
the choice of the reference product or any other generic formulation. If an alternative
generic formulation is used, that formulation shall be provided.
- Description of the dosages used for the test product and the reference product.
- Description of the type(s) of surface(s) and soil mixture used in the performance test
and their relevance for the test product.
- Description of the procedures for adding the soil to the substrate and the quantities.
The quantities applied should be expressed in grams to one decimal point.
- Description of how the cleaning capacity was measured and raw data from all
repetitions stated in terms of cleaning capacity.
- All raw data used in the testing and calculations and statistical evaluation of the data,
if applicable.

2. User test
The aim of the user test is to show whether the test product cleans as well as or better than a
comparative reference product.

2.1 Selection of the test centres or testers4

For the testing of non-professional grade products, responses must be received from a
minimum of 80 persons, randomly selected in the sales region and who normally use a
product of the same product category as the test product.
Random selection requires the use of some form of random sampling (e.g. stratified random
sampling, simple random sampling without replacement). It is important to use a random
sample because it relies on the laws of probability to select a representative sample and then
the results can then be used to make inferences about the background population.
For testing of professional grade products, responses must be received from at least 5
professional users or test centres, selected in the sales region and that normally use a product
of the same product category as the test product.

2.2 Procedure, dosage and reference products

The test must be performed on the type(s) of surface relevant in relation to the
recommendations of the manufacturers.
The test period must allow for at least five uses of the test product and the reference product 5.
The dosages used must be the dosage recommended by the manufacturers.
The test product and the product normally used6 by the testers or test center should be of the
same product category (e.g. RTU, undiluted product), designed for the same purpose (e.g.

4 Testers and test centres may be selected among the customers of the
manufacturer of the test product.
5 Each use should be performed as the test person or test centre would
normally use his/her product in terms of frequency.
6 A product normally use means for example which has been used weekly (by
the test center or testers) for at least one year.
WC cleaner, kitchen cleaner, sanitary cleaner, flooring cleaner, window cleaner) and claiming
the similar properties7.

2.3 Testing requirements (methods and evaluation)

Effectiveness of the product under test must be assessed based on its ability to remove soil
(and, if tested, fat) and leave a clean surface.
The test persons must reply to the question ‘How effective do you consider the test product to
be compared to the product you normally use (considered as the reference product)?’ or
equivalent. At least three possibilities for a response must be available (e.g. ‘poorer’, ‘as good
as’ and ‘better’).
At least 80% of the testers for non-professional products or 5 test centres for professional
products must assess the test product to be ‘as good as’ or ‘better’ than the product normally
used (i.e. reference product).

2.4 Documentation requirements

A detailed test report shall be provided to the competent body, including the following
information/documentation on:
- The description of the selection of the testers (randomly for non-professional grade
products) or the test centers and a description of the sampling method chosen and how it was
performed.
- The information provided by the testers or test centers and a summary describing how the
testing was performed.
- The type of surface(s) the product was tested on.
- The duration and frequency of use of the product and dosage used.
- The guidance given to the testers.
- Calculations and documentation showing that at least 80 % of the testers or 5 test centres
assess the product to be as good as or better than the reference product.
- A declaration from the testers or the test centres providing information on the product that
they normally use and that served as the reference product.
- The label and technical sheet of the reference product to check its compliance with the
requirements set out of for the reference product: type (e.g. RTU, undiluted product), purpose
(e.g. WC cleaner, kitchen cleaner, sanitary cleaner, flooring cleaner, window cleaner) and the
type(s) of surfaces it can clean.
- For each tester or test centre, the following information must be available, e.g. in the form of
answers to a questionnaire:
- The dosage used by the tester or test centre,
- A statement declaring that the test and reference product have been tested and
compared at least five times,
- The result of the comparison of the test product and the reference product.

3. References
SOFW-Journal 126, 11-2000, 'Recommendation for the quality assessment of acidic toilet
cleaners, SOFW-Journal, 126, pp 50-56, 2000
SOFW-Journal 129, 11-2003 'Recommendation for the quality assessment of bathroom
cleaners, SOFW-Journal, 129, pp 42-48, 2003

7 Both the test product and reference product can be manufactured by the same
manufacturer.
SOFW-Journal 130, 54-2005 'Recommendation for the quality assessment of the product
performance of all purpose cleaners', SOFW-Journal, 130, pp 54-66, 2005
SOFW-Journal 141, 6-2015, 'IKW Recommendation for the quality assessment of product
performance of all-purpose cleaners 2014,, SOFW-Journal, 141, pp 47-56, 2015

Annex 1: Example of reporting template

A template for reporting the description of the procedures and the results of the tests are
available at: Link to the spreadsheet. This template is not mandatory to show compliance with
Criterion 6, "Fitness for use".