Testing Services for the paper, nonwovens, packaging, and consumer products industries.

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FLUSHABILITY TESTING

Dependable Testing for a Growing Industry

With the aim to work with manufacturers and suppliers in educating consumers about which products meet flushability standards, Wisconsin-based SGS-IPS Testing offers all test methods as outlined in the Fourth Edition “Guidelines for Assessing the Flushability of Disposable Nonwoven Products.”

The flushable wipes industry continues to grow at a rapid pace and its products have often been misrepresented as the source of the problem for waste and sewer system clogging.

Wipe products that meet the protocol outlined by the Association of the Nonwovens Fabrics Industry (INDA) and its European Disposables and Nonwovens Association (EDANA) counterpart are able to adequately break down through the flushing process. Things like diapers, baby wipes, paper towels, hand towels, feminine care items and other materials usually are not. These non-flushable items are the bulk of what is discovered when evaluating clog masses.

INDA and EDANA Flushability Testing Guidelines 

According to a Code of Practice directive within the Flushability Testing Guidelines, a product that passes all seven tests will be considered flushable and certified by SGS-IPS. The standards set forth by INDA and EDANA include the following flushability tests:

  • FG501.R1(18) Toilet Bowl & Drain Line Clearance Test
  • FG502.R1(18) Slosh Box Disintegration Test
  • FG503.R1(18) Household Pump Test
  • FG504.R1(18) Settling Test
  • FG505A.R1(18) Aerobic Biodisintegration Test
  • FG506A.R1(18) Anaerobic Biodisintegration Test
  • FG507.R1(18) Municipal Sewage Pump Test

IWSFG Flushabiliity Testing Guidelines

SGS-IPS Testing is also ISO 17025 accredited to perform the test methods specified by the International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG). These methods include:

  • IWSFG 2018 PAS3 Slosh Box Disintegration
  • TAPPI/ANSI Test Method T401 Fiber Analysis
  • FG504.R1(18) Settling Test
  • FG501.R1(18) Toilet Bowl & Drain Line Clearance
  • FG506A.R1(18) Anaerobic biodisintegration

ISO 17025 accredited, SGS-IPS is unique in that it will open its flushability testing lab and equipment to clients for product development purposes. Clients will have access to all equipment and are provided with a technician to perform the testing. There is a daily fee for this service.