The Stewardship Test Method for Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHPs)
A Global Standard, Ready for U.S. Application
As part of the Stewardship Program, the EDANA Test Method provides a harmonized, science-based way to measure the presence of trace chemicals in absorbent hygiene products. While the method was developed in Europe, it is fully applicable worldwide—including in the United States—and gives manufacturers a consistent, credible way to validate product safety.
Importantly, there are no U.S. regulations requiring adherence to this method. By adopting it voluntarily, American manufacturers can demonstrate leadership, transparency, and a commitment to consumer safety before formal legislation or regulatory mandates emerge.
Why This Matters in the U.S. Context
Ensure safety and consistency: With no current federal standards for trace chemicals in AHPs, adopting a science-based approach helps set clear, reliable benchmarks. Provide clarity for the public: Validated testing methods allow us to answer questions with credible data and reinforce transparency. Strengthen trust: Science-driven, proactive practices build confidence in diapers, menstrual products, and incontinence care. Support global alignment: For U.S. manufacturers serving international markets, this method connects with established global benchmarks and reinforces shared standards of safety.
What the Method Provides
The EDANA Test Method (NWSP 360 / CWA18062) was designed to be:
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Easy to adopt: Any qualified laboratory with modern analytical equipment and trained staff can run it.
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Robust and reproducible: Results are consistent regardless of operator or lab, with validated precision and reliability.
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Consumer-relevant: Tests reflect real-world usage conditions, ensuring meaningful safety assessments.
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Validated: Published in 2020 and formally recognized by CEN in 2023, the method is scientifically proven to deliver reliable results.
How It Works
The method evaluates products in three steps:
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Sample preparation – ensuring the product is tested under realistic consumer-use conditions.
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Analyte extraction – isolating trace chemicals of interest from the product.
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Instrumental analysis – using advanced analytical techniques to quantify potential trace levels.
To confirm compliance with the CODEX™, manufacturers are advised to test their products at independent laboratories that:
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Follow Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and
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Demonstrate the ability to meet the analytical requirements of NWSP 360 or CWA18062.
The Bottom Line for U.S. Manufacturers
Adopting this voluntary test method now allows the American AHP industry to:
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Demonstrate due diligence in product safety.
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Show leadership in self-regulation and transparency.
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Shape the conversation around safe levels of trace chemicals before legislators or advocacy groups set arbitrary limits.
