Claims that reusable sanitary towels are SABS-tested are false
The SABS legal team is pursuing the abuse of the SABS name, mark and reputation with the companies directly involved.
“All claims by unscrupulous manufacturers that their reusable sanitary towel products have been tested or certified or ‘SABS Approved’ are completely untrue. While we understand that there is an urgency for such products, especially in remote and indigent communities, we cannot allow companies to falsely sell and promote their products, infringe on the SABS name and deliberately deceive consumers," says Garth Strachan, acting CEO of SABS.
"We strongly believe that hygiene products like reusable sanitary towels require testing to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose, but want to re-emphasise that SABS has not tested nor certified any reusable sanitary towels,” says Garth Strachan, acting CEO of SABS.
Draft standard
South Africa is currently in the process of finalising a draft standard, SANS 1812 – for the manufacture of reusable sanitary towels. The public comments phase closed on 25 September 2019 and the organisation will now finalise the standard, which is expected to be published in March 2020. SABS will be able to test and certify products against SANS 1812 when the standard is ready.
SABS will be ready to commence with testing and certification against the standard, when it is published. Consumers are advised to check the certification status of companies on the SABS website.