The 72% stamped on the traditional olive or sand-colored Marseille soap cube indicates the essential rate of vegetable fat (preferably olive oil) used in its manufacture, supplemented by soda and water. It was set in 1906 by the chemist François Merklen, who owned a soap factory in the Marseille region and was involved in a draft law on the repression of fraud in the soap trade. The stamped rate was confirmed in 1928 by the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence to defend the reputation of Savon de Marseille and fight against counterfeits.