FOR GENERAL QUALITIES

Marking

The detergent bar should be securely packed and marked with the necessary information including a) name and address of manufacturer; b) brand or lot number, grade and trademark, if any; c) month and year of manufacturing; d) maximum retail price (MRP) in rupees; e) net weight when packed; f) standard mark, if any; g) critical ingredients in descending order of quantity up to 0.5 per cent by mass; h) direction for recyclability of packing material; i) instruction for use; and j) caution for avoiding prolonged contact.

It is to be noted that no requirement has been specified for ‘best before’ date and that is probably the reason why no manufacturer has mentioned the same on the pack. However, since the product tends to looses moisture over a period of time and becomes hard, there must be a mention of shelf life. None of the brands mentioned percentage of key

ingredients in descending order as per the requirements. The caution to ‘avoid prolonged contact’ was not

visible on the packet of any of the brands.

Net Weight (grams)

As per Legal Metrology Rules, in detergent bars up to 150 grams, 4.5 per cent margin (low or high) is acceptable; in bars above 150 grams and up to 300 grams, an error of minus 4.0 per cent is permissible; and for bars of more than 300 grams, only three per cent of error is allowed. Ghari, Fena, and Patanjali were found slightly less than the declared value, but were well within the specified requirements. All the other brands matched their declared values.

Packing

Detergent bars shall be suitably packed, as agreed to between purchaser and supplier. For ECO mark, the product shall be packed in recyclable, biodegradable material and shall have detailed instructions for its proper use. Most of the brands used water-proof and airtight, moisture-proof packing.