EN 12458:1999

Surface active agents - Determination of stability in hard water

This European Standard specifies a method of assessing the stability in hard water of surface active agents which are readily soluble at ambient temperature or slightly higher temperatures. This method is applicable to surface active agents soluble in water at 20 °C. It can be extended to those which are soluble at approximately 50 °C.

Grenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung der Beständigkeit gegenüber hartem Wasser

Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beständigkeit von grenzflächenaktiven Stoffen in hartem Wasser, die bei Raumtemperatur oder mäßiger Wärme leicht löslich sind, fest. Das Verfahren ist anwendbar auf grenzflächenaktive Stoffe angewendet werden, die bei etwa 50°C löslich sind.

Agents de surface - Détermination de la stabilité à l'eau dure

La présente norme européenne spécifie une méthode de détermination de la stabilité dans l'eau dure des agents de surface déjà solubles à la température ambiante ou à des températures légèrement supérieures. Cette méthode est applicable aux agents de surface solubles dans l'eau à 20°C. Elle peut être étendue aux agents solubles à environ 50°C.

Površinsko aktivne snovi - Določevanje stabilnosti v trdi vodi

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 16-Feb-1999
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Aug-1999
• ICS: 71.100.40 - Surface active agents
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 276 - Surface active agents
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 276/WG 2 - Methods of test
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 31-Oct-2024
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 12458:1999 - Surface active agents - Determination of stability in hard water

Overview

EN 12458:1999 is a CEN European Standard that specifies a method for assessing the stability of surface active agents in hard water. The method applies to surface active (surfactant) substances that are readily soluble at ambient temperature or slightly higher temperatures. It is intended primarily for agents soluble in water at 20 °C and may be extended to agents soluble at approximately 50 °C.

This standard supports consistent evaluation of how surfactants behave when exposed to hard water conditions, an important property for product performance and formulation reliability.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability: Targets surface active agents soluble at 20 °C and extendable to ~50 °C; focuses on stability in hard water.
• Purpose: Provides a standardized method to assess whether a surfactant maintains desirable physical and performance properties in the presence of hardness ions.
• Context: Published as a European Standard (EN) by CEN; aligns with industry needs for repeatable, comparable results across laboratories and manufacturers.
• Classification: Relevant to industries using surfactants and detergents and to quality control and regulatory testing frameworks.

Applications

The practical value of EN 12458:1999 includes:

• Detergent and cleaner formulation: Ensuring surfactants retain efficacy in regions with hard water improves cleaning performance and consumer satisfaction.
• Quality control: Enables manufacturers and laboratories to evaluate batch-to-batch consistency and detect formulations that may precipitate or lose activity in hard water.
• Product development: Informs selection of surfactants and blend strategies to enhance stability and reduce undesired interactions with calcium and magnesium ions.
• Regulatory and procurement: Provides a recognized method for specification, testing and acceptance criteria when hard-water stability is a requirement.

Related Standards

• Other EN standards and national adoptions that cover surfactant characterization, detergent testing and physico-chemical properties may be used alongside EN 12458:1999.
• Industry test methods for solubility, cloud point, and performance testing are commonly referenced together with hard-water stability assessments.

For organizations working with surface active agents, EN 12458:1999 provides a standardized, repeatable approach to assess hard-water stability - a key factor in formulation performance, quality assurance and product acceptance across markets.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Grenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung der Beständigkeit gegenüber hartem WasserAgents de surface - Détermination de la stabilité a l'eau dureSurface active agents - Determination of stability in hard water71.100.40Površinsko aktivna sreds
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