UK Code of Practice for Tampon Manufactures and Distributors

7/28/2019 UK Code of Practice for Tampon Manufactures and Distributors

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UK Code o Practice or Tampon

Manuacturers & Distributors

Version No.5 dated June 10. Replaces Version No.4 dated Feb 09


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Product Saety

AHPMA members take their responsibilities as manuacturers and distributors o

menstrual tampons extremely seriously. The saety in use o AHPMA members

products is their number one priority. In Europe tampons are currently regulated

by the General Product Saety Directive (EEC Directive 2001/95/EC). In order to

meet the requirements o the Directive all AHPMA members have procedures

and processes in place to evaluate the saety o both the raw materials and the

biocompatibility o the nished tampons as well as ensuring that the user is

provided with comprehensive instructions or use. Documentation relating to the

saety o menstrual tampons is held by each AHPMA member and can be made

available to Trading Standards, the Department Business Enterprise & Regulatory

Reorm as necessary.

AHPMA representing the disposable nappy, adult continence care and sanitary protection industries

UK Code o Practice or Tampon Manuacturers & Distributors | Page 1 o 8



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1. Tampon Categories

The tampon is used or internally absorbingmenstrual fow during the period. A rangeo absorbencies are available designed tomanage various menstrual fows whichdier not only rom woman to woman, butalso during a womans menstrual lie andduring each period. For urther details pleasereer to section 4.

The UK tampon market is clearly divided

between applicator and non-applicatortampons with minimal crossover byconsumers between the two i.e. havingmade a choice o applicator or non-applicator early in her menstrual liea user is very unlikely to change.





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2. Construction

There are a number o dierent constructions,see diagram, which are currently being usedor tampons throughout the world, includingthe U.K:

1. Swiss Roll: The brous feece is rolledup like a Swiss roll and then compressedto produce a tampon which expands in thewidth-wise direction.

2. Rectangular or Square Pad: The brousfeece is in the orm o a rectangular or squarepad which is compressed in both length andwidth directions. This tampon expands in bothlength and width, but predominantly in the

length direction.

3. Swiss Cross: The brous feece is in theorm o two rectangular pads placed on topo each other at an angle o 90 degrees. Acord is centrally placed between the padsand the tampon is olded rom the centreand compressed radially. Upon expansionthe tampon opens in a similar way to thato a fower opening.

Most tampon brands have an additionalnon-woven layer or coverstock attached tothe surace o the tampon, which can aidinsertion and can help reduce bre migration.Some tampons may also contain a lubricantor ragrance/scent.

The brous web used as the absorbentmaterial in a tampon is ormed rom ECF,i.e. elemental chlorine ree bleached viscoserayon or cotton bres or a mixture o thesetwo bres.

Tampons should include provision orwithdrawal with a suitably attachedwithdrawal cord to ensure sae andcomplete tampon removal.

Rectangle Square

Swiss Roll Swiss Cross





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3. Presentation & Packagingo the Individual Tampons

There are two methods o presentingthe tampon.

1. Digital or Non-Applicator: The womanuses the nger to insert the tampon into thevagina. The nished tampon is usually overwrapped in a cellophane or polymeric sleevewhich may include a tear tape or ease oopening the product.

2. Applicator: The tampon is inserted into thevagina using an applicator. The applicators aremade rom an outer and inner tube with thelatter tting inside the outer tube. Applicatorsare made rom cardboard / paper or plastic,sometimes in a compact orm. The combinedapplicator and tampon are over wrapped in acellophane / paper / polymeric sleeve.





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4. Absorbency classication andDroplet scheme

Tampons are designed to absorbmenstrual fuid and the in-vitro measureo this absorption is through the Synginatest method. The apparatus and test methodis detailed in the recommended EDANA testmethod weblink (WSP 350.1.05).

The categories and classication oabsorbency are divided into primary

and secondary descriptors:

Absorbency Droplet Primary Descriptor Secondary Descriptor


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5. Instruction Leafet

Each tampon pack must be provided withan instruction leafet which gives clear adviceand guidance on the use o tampons. Theinsert leafet must include the ollowing:-

1. To inorm consumers about ToxicShock Syndrome.

2. To provide a ull description o the symptomso TSS to include the ollowing; a sudden highever usually over 39C, vomiting, diarrhoea,muscle aches, a sun burn like rash, sore throat,dizziness and/or ainting. Optional to include:severe fu-like eeling.

3. To inorm the user that not all the symptomso TSS may occur simultaneously.

4. To instruct the user that i symptoms oTSS occur, to remove the tampon, consulta doctor urgently and inorm him or herthat a tampon has been used.

5. To inorm the user in the TSS statementthat the illness can be atal.

6. To provide a requency o use statemente.g.: Regardless o when you use them, dayor night, you should change your tamponevery 4 to 8 hours or more oten i needed.

7. In the case o night time use, a statement isrequired to advise the user to insert a reshtampon beore going to sleep and to replacethe tampon rst thing in the morning.

8. To instruct the user to use the lowestabsorbency to suit their fow.

9. Full description o all absorbencies availablewithin the particular brand, linking them tothe menstrual fow e.g: Regular or light tomedium fow; Super or medium to heavy fow.

10. To advise the user to alternate betweentampons and towels / pant liners rom timeto time during their period.

11. To emphasise the importance o personalhygiene, particularly the washing o handsbeore and ater inserting a tampon.

12. To inorm the consumer to only usetampons during menstruation, one tamponat any time, and to ensure the removal o thelast tampon once menstruation has nished.

13. To instruct the user on the method or insertionand withdrawal.

14. To include brie details o the absorbentmaterials used in the manuacture o

the product.

15. To advise the user on methods or tampondisposal. Tampons may be fushed down thetoilet i a disposal bin is not available. Theymay be fushed subject to an appropriate

test method such as ASPM Test 1 weblink(which is a fushability test designed betweenthe AHPMA ormerly ASPM and the DrainageResearch Group, Brunel University). Adviceshould be provided as to the preerred methodo disposal o applicator tubes and theouter wrapper.





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6. Each tampon pack mustdisplay the ollowing:

1. Clear wording to notiy the consumer

that tampons are associated with ToxicShock Syndrome. The notice should crossreerence the consumer to read and retainthe instruction leafet within the pack.An example o the TSS wording on packis as ollows, Tampons are associated withToxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is a rarebut serious illness that may be atal. Thisstatement on standard packets o tampons

will have a minimum size equivalent toArial 7 (or an alternative ont equivalentin size to Arial 7).

2. The appropriate number o droplets todenote the range o Syngina absorbency.

3. Droplets should be displayed in a prominentposition either on the ront or top o the pack.The droplets will have a minimum size o 3mm or the smallest packs and will be scaled

up as appropriate or larger packs.

4. Each set o droplet symbols represents a rangeo 3g o Syngina absorbency and there are veclasses in total. The Syngina absorbency o theve classes is given in section 4.

5. Give details o the range o absorbenciesavailable within the particular brand, includingprimary and secondary descriptors and theappropriate droplets.

6. Advise the consumer to use the lowestabsorbency or her needs.





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UK Code of Practice for Tampon Manufactures and Distributors

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