Tissue paper that complies with the GB/T 20808 standard is suitable for wiping sensitive areas. This standard explicitly applies to products intended for direct contact with sensitive areas such as the face and lips (e.g., for wiping the mouth or face), and can even be used for intimate hygiene. Its safety and suitability are primarily grounded in the following core advantages:
1. Raw Material Safety: Prohibition of Recycled Paper and Harmful Additives
GB/T 20808 mandates that tissue paper must be manufactured using 100% virgin wood pulp or bamboo pulp. It strictly prohibits the inclusion of recycled paper, de-inking agents, or other raw materials that may contain heavy metals or chemical residues. Virgin pulp fibers possess uniform lengths and do not easily break down when wet; this approach effectively eliminates, at the source, the risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions caused by inferior raw materials.
2. Hygiene Indicators: Strict Limits on Microorganisms and Chemical Substances
The standard imposes requirements for hygiene indicators that are significantly more stringent than those for ordinary toilet paper:
Total bacterial count ≤ 200 CFU/g (ordinary toilet paper permits up to ≤ 600 CFU/g);
Fluorescent whitening agents must be undetectable (some inferior toilet papers may add these agents for whitening purposes);
There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding pathogenic bacteria-such as *E. coli* and *S. aureus*-ensuring that contact with sensitive areas does not trigger infections. Furthermore, the *Basic Safety Technical Specifications for Paper Products for Infants and Children* (GB 43631-2023)-which comes into effect in 2025-stipulates that tissue paper intended for infants and children must comply with the GB/T 20808 standard. This regulation imposes additional limits on 11 categories of harmful substances-including heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, as well as transferable fluorescent substances-thereby indirectly validating the safety of products meeting this standard.
3. Physical Properties: Soft, Lint-Free, and Resilient When Wet
GB/T 20808 establishes specific requirements regarding the softness, absorbency, and tensile strength of tissue paper:
Softness ≤ 80 mN (for "Superior Grade" products), which minimizes friction against the skin during wiping;
The paper resists shedding lint or sticking together after absorbing moisture, thereby preventing residual fibers from clogging pores or causing discomfort in intimate areas. These characteristics ensure that when used to wipe the mouth, nose, eye area, or intimate regions, the product provides effective cleaning while simultaneously minimizing the risk of skin damage. Compared to Standard Toilet Paper: Compliant with GB/T 20810 Standards-Exercise Caution on Sensitive Areas
Standard toilet paper adheres to the GB/T 20810 standard, which permits the use of recycled pulp as a raw material. Under this standard, hygiene indicators (such as a total bacterial count limit of ≤ 600 CFU/g) and chemical substance restrictions are relatively lenient; furthermore, physical properties-such as softness and absorbency-have not been optimized for use on sensitive areas. Consequently, standard toilet paper is best suited for wiping hands or general surfaces, and its use on the face, lips, or intimate areas is not recommended.
