1、 General Performance Testing Standards

2、 Determination of active substance content (core indicator)

1. Anionic surfactants

• Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), fatty alcohol sulfate (AS), fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate (AES), etc

  • GB/T 5173-2018 "Surface active agents - Determination of anionic surfactant content" (Two phase titration method using ethidium bromide or methylene blue indicator)

  • ISO 2271:1989 corresponding method

• Anions such as alkyl sulfates that are difficult to titrate: refer to GB/T 11989-2008 (Petroleum ether extraction gravimetric method)

2. Cationic surfactants

• Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, dimethyl bis octadecylammonium chloride, etc

  • GB/T 5174-2018 "Surface active agents - Determination of cationic surfactant content" (Two phase titration method using bromophenol blue or ethidium bromide)

  • ISO 2871:1988

3. Non ionic surfactants

• Fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO), alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (APEO), alkyl glucoside (APG), etc

  • Weight method (hot extraction): Chapter 6 of GB/T 13173-2021 (Determination of non-ionic active substances in detergents - Hot ethanol extraction)

  • Polyethylene glycol content: GB/T 7385-2012 (Determination of polyethylene glycol content for non-ionic surfactants - High performance liquid chromatography or bismuth potassium iodide method)

  • Determination of hydroxyl value (for calculating content): GB/T 7384-1996 (Acetylation method)

  • International methods: ISO 4321 (gravimetric method), ISO 4314 (active ingredient index)

4. Bipolar surfactants

• Betaine type, amine oxide type

  • GB/T 5173 (Detection of anionic active substances may interfere) is not applicable, and potentiometric titration or phosphotungstic acid precipitation methods are commonly used.

  • Domestic methods: QB/T 4082-2010 "Determination of Fatty Acid Amidopropyl Dimethyl Betaine", GB/T 28728-2012 "Determination of Surfactant Content of Amphoteric Surfactants"

3、 Specific functionality and application performance testing

4、 Testing for harmful substances and environmental protection

1. Biodegradability

• GB/T 15818-2018 "Test Method for Biodegradability of Surfactants" (determination of primary biodegradability, passing over 90%)

• GB/T 21803-2008 "Rapid Biodegradability of Chemicals - Respiratory Measurement Method"

• EU Method: OECD 301 (DOC Reduction Test)

2. Environmentally restricted substances

3. Residual monomers or organic impurities

• Chloroacetic acid (used for carboxymethyl betaine, etc.): refer to GB/T 36796-2018

• Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide: internal gas chromatography method

5、 Special standards for specific types of surfactants

6、 Impurity detection in surfactant raw materials and products

• Free oil/unreacted substances: Petroleum ether extraction method (GB/T 11989, GB/T 13529)

• Inorganic salts (sodium sulfate, sodium chloride): conductivity method or gravimetric method (GB/T 13173)

• Free amine (for non-ionic): perchloric acid titration method (GB/T 15046-2018)

• Polyethylene glycol (PEG): high-performance liquid chromatography (GB/T 7385-2012)

7、 Quick search for international and other standards

8、 Suggested combinations of common testing items

• Raw material sampling: active ingredient content (based on ion type selection criteria), moisture content pH、 Color, free oil, inorganic salts.

• Environmental compliance: APEO (GB/T 23322), formaldehyde, dioxane (ethoxylate), degradability (GB/T 15818).

• Product formula research and development: foaming power, wetting power, calcium soap dispersion power CMC、 Emulsification stability.

• Export to the EU: SVHC testing in compliance with REACH requirements (often including NP, NPEO, etc.), OECD 301 biodegradation test.