Baby Diaper
Baby Pull Up Pants
Adult Diaper
Sanitary Napkin
Wet Wipes
Tissues Paper
Disposable Cotton Soft Towel
Pet Diaper
2. Settlement and Biodegradation Tests (Ensuring It “Disappears”)
These tests ensure the wipe does not persist in the environment or float in water bodies:
-
Settlement Test: Evaluates whether the disintegrated fibers will sink or float, preventing blockages or sedimentation.
-
Aerobic/Anaerobic Biodegradation Tests: Verify whether the wipe’s fiber materials can be decomposed by microorganisms in the aerobic environment of wastewater treatment plants and the anaerobic environments of septic tanks and landfills, ultimately returning to nature.
The Subtext of “Passing”: One Label, Two Systems
The importance of the GD4 guideline lies in providing clear rules for a confusing market and has been adopted as a regulatory basis by European countries such as Belgium and Spain.
It evaluates flushability through a comprehensive “combination” of 7 core tests. Crucially, it also explicitly states that even if a product, such as a baby wipe, could meet these stringent standards, it should not be marketed as “flushable” to prevent consumer confusion—Baby Wipes are the single largest category of non-flushable wipes found in sewers.
Therefore, when a customer asks whether a product “passes the EDANA/INDA test,” it is not just a technical inquiry, but a comprehensive one concerning market access, product responsibility, and environmental commitment.