scope:

Introduction

By far, the largest single consumer of Fluorescent Whitening Agents (FWAs) is the soap and detergent industry. In the past, the identification of these products in test methods, publications, customs declarations, etc. has been primarily limited to individual supplier's trade names which often create confusion and ambiguity. Although several of the products are included in the Colour Index, this compilation is incomplete and, in some instances, inaccurate.

ASTM Task Group on Fluorescent Whitening Agents, D12.15.05, of Committee D-12 on Soaps and Other Detergents, is currently developing ASTM test procedures for Fluorescent Whitening Agents and, in connection with these efforts, has compiled this listing of FWAs used commercially in substantial amounts in soap and detergent formulations. The identification of the chemical structure of each FWA by a unique set of letters and numbers is the most important and useful feature of this publication. The letter-number designation for each FWA will be used in the ASTM test methods being developed by ASTM Task Group D12.15.05, and it is expected that the designations will also be valuable to other organizations and committees, individual authors, etc. involved in the FWA field.

Included in the listing are the brand names and the names and addresses of the suppliers of FWAs who have participated in this project by making the necessary disclosures. ASTM Task Group D12.15.05 would like to express its appreciation to those suppliers for their cooperation.