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Home > News > Industry NewsOne-Picture Guide to GB/T 8939-2025 Sanitary Absorbent Pads (Pantyliners)
The national standard for Sanitary Absorbent Pads (Pantyliners) (GB/T 8939-2025) has comprehensively upgraded technical requirements in three areas: conventional physical properties, performance in use, and safety properties. It further regulates and enhances the quality and safety level of sanitary absorbent pad products.
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Scope and Classification
Scope: Sanitary absorbent pads and pantyliners.
Applicable to the production, inspection, and sale of sanitary absorbent pads and pantyliners composed of a cover layer, inner absorbent layer (containing fluff pulp, cotton fibers, or superabsorbent polymer), and leak-proof back sheet, shaped by specialized machinery for use by women.
Classification: Divided into sanitary absorbent pads and pantyliners based on product performance and intended use.
Terms and Definitions
| Term | Definition | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption Speed | Time required for a specimen to absorb a specified amount of standard synthetic test solution | Newly added |
| Re-wet Value | Mass of test liquid that returns to the cover layer under specified pressure and time after the specimen absorbs a specified amount of standard synthetic test solution | Newly added |
| Absorption Ratio | Multiple of the mass of standard synthetic test solution absorbed by a specimen within a specified time compared to the specimen's own mass | Newly added |
Standard Requirements
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| ✗ Waste materials ✗ Used materials | |
| √ Hygiene requirements | Shall comply with relevant raw material provisions in GB 15979 |
| Raw Materials | |
| Cover layer | GB/T 30133 |
| Fluff pulp | GB/T 21331 |
| Superabsorbent polymer | GB/T 22875 |
| Airlaid paper | GB/T 24292 |
| Absorbent tissue | QB/T 4508 |
| Release liner | GB/T 27731 |
| Newly added: Fragrance | Shall comply with GB/T 22731 |
Technical Indicators
Conventional Physical Properties
Upgraded requirements for overall length deviation and piece mass deviation; improved measurement method for sanitary absorbent pad length to protect consumer rights.
| Indicator | Sanitary Absorbent Pads | Pantyliners | GB/T 8939-2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length deviation / % | ≥ -2.0 (adjusted) | ±4 | |
| Piece mass deviation / % | ±10 (adjusted) | +12 / -? |
Performance in Use
Adjusted back adhesive peel strength requirements; improved absorption speed specifications; added re-wet value; changed water absorption ratio to absorption ratio (using standard synthetic test solution instead of water) to better meet consumer comfort needs.
| Indicator | Sanitary Absorbent Pads | Pantyliners | GB/T 8939-2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back adhesive peel strength / mN | 100–900 (adjusted) | 100–800 | |
| Absorption speed / s | ≤50 (adjusted) | ≤60 | |
| Re-wet value / g | ≤3.0 (newly added) | (none) | |
| Absorption ratio (adjusted) | ≥4.0 | ≥2.0 | Water absorption ratio |
*Note: Only products with a marked overall length ≥200mm are assessed for absorption speed and re-wet value.*
Safety Properties
Tightened pH and formaldehyde requirements; newly added chemical safety indicators such as phthalates, heavy metals, and carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes to effectively ensure women's health and safety.
| Indicator | Sanitary Absorbent Pads, Pantyliners | GB/T 8939-2018 |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.0–7.5 (adjusted) | 4.0–9.0 |
| Formaldehyde / (mg/kg) | ≤6.0 (adjusted) | ≤75 |
| Phthalates / % (sum of DBP, DIBP, BBP, DEHP) | ≤0.1 (newly added) | |
| Heavy metals / (mg/kg) – Lead | ≤10 (newly added) | |
| – Arsenic | ≤2.0 (newly added) | |
| – Cadmium | ≤5.0 (newly added) | |
| – Mercury | ≤1.0 (newly added) | |
| Carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes / (mg/kg) | ≤20 (newly added) | |
| Migratory fluorescent substances | Not detectable (newly added) | "Pass" |
Notes:
Migratory fluorescent substances include migratory fluorescent whitening agents.
Carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes are assessed only for printed or dyed products.
Hygiene Requirements
Shall comply with GB 15979.
Sensory Quality
Product appearance shall be clean, free of dirt, damage, abnormal odor, or foreign matter. Release liner shall not detach spontaneously and can be removed naturally and completely.
Performance Requirements
Seals shall be firm and shall not rupture during normal use. Products shall not shift during normal use, shall not damage clothing when peeled off from underwear, and shall leave no significant residue.
Quality Assurance
Products may leave the factory only after passing inspection and bearing a quality conformity mark. Nonconforming products shall be destructively processed within the factory to render them unusable and shall not enter the market.
Sales Package Marking
Shall comply with GB 38598 and additionally include:
a) Product specification (overall length)
b) Names of main raw materials (e.g., nonwoven fabric, fluff pulp, superabsorbent polymer, PE film)
c) Product quality inspection certificate
d) Other information requiring labeling
Standard Implementation
GB/T 8939-2025 Sanitary Absorbent Pads (Pantyliners) will be formally implemented on January 1, 2027.
From December 31, 2025, to January 1, 2027, products manufactured or imported may choose to comply with either the 2018 version or the 2025 version of the standard.
From January 1, 2027, products manufactured or imported shall comply with the 2025 version.
Recommendation: Manufacturers should adjust raw materials, production processes, chemicals, etc. in a timely manner to ensure products meet the new standard.
