Menstrual Products

Composition of menstrual pads and liners

This  Pads & Napkin infographic and  Pad & Napkin component table present the different components used for the manufacturing of a menstrual pad as well as the different parts composing the menstrual pad, you can easily download a copy.

The guidance document on AHP labeling gives details on transparency and clarity.  

Composition of tampons

The Tampon infographic and Tampon component table present the different components used for the manufacturing of a tampon as well as the different parts composing a tampon, you can easily download a copy.

The guidance document on AHP labeling gives details on transparency and clarity.  

Safety and labelling of tampons

Tampons have a long history of use across the globe, with millions of products in safe daily use.

Tampons are made of well-proven materials that are also used in a variety of other everyday products which have proven safety profiles. The raw materials are carefully selected for the highest quality and undergo extensive safety evaluation to ensure a lack of harmful effects and good tolerability before they are approved and used during manufacturing. In order to deliver a safe product, tampons are made under high quality production control standards including a series of checks and tests based on company quality assurance systems and user monitoring programmes.

Within the European Union tampons must comply with the  General Product Safety Directive that holds manufacturers responsible for providing consumers with products that are safe to use. You can read more about the legal requirements and the voluntary guidelines applied in the industry in EDANA’s “Safety and Regulatory Supply Chain Information for Absorbent Hygiene Care Products Aug 2018”. 

In addition, tampon manufacturers in Europe follow the “ EU Tampons Code of Practice”, or a national equivalent. 

The Code of Practice was published to harmonise relevant consumer information in all EU countries, irrespective of the tampon brand used. Key elements of the Code of Practice include :

• information and advice on correct tampon use,
• information about Toxic Shock Syndrome,
• a standardised test method to ensure the absorbency ratings are consistent across all manufacturers/brands. This Syngina test method, NWSP 350.1.R1 (20) is available upon request.
• a droplet system that categorises the absorbency of tampons into six classes.

To ensure safe use of the product, manufacturers recommend reading the detailed instructions inside the packaging, as well as information on the packaging itself.

Menstrual products testing guidelines 

The guidance document aims to meet the demand for relevant, accurate, reliable and comparable tests, for performance standards as well as substance testing across a range of menstrual products.

The guidelines are intended as a best practice tool for third-parties to consider to ensure the scientifically sound testing of menstrual products and meaningful results. They were developed by a group of experts from manufacturers of feminine hygiene products, their suppliers, and leading test institutes with expertise in testing femcare products. The guidelines are comprehensive, covering all types of femcare products (panty liners, tampons and sanitary pads), all forms of testing and each step involved in a test, from design and methodology to the interpretation and communication of results. Statistical methodology and technical parameters impacting test results were taken into consideration for the development of the guidelines.

In addition to technical and methodological guidance, the guidelines remind organisations conducting tests of several key principles. For instance, third party tests intended to serve as the basis for consumer information must include a user trial. Also, to ensure that the products are tested in an accurate manner and that the results reflect the actual experience of consumers, it is recommended to consult manufacturers and to conduct tests in a laboratory experienced in testing femcare products. Practical information such as contact details for the main manufacturers that are members of EDANA are included in the annexes, along with suggested laboratories that are EDANA members, standard method references, and questions for user trials. Any feedback and input to the guidelines is welcome and will be taken into consideration in future versions.