WTO Circulates Notification from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda on Standard for Butter for Cosmetic Use

"On April 8, 2025, the World Trade Organization (WTO) circulated a notification from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda concerning the Draft East African Standard DEAS 967-2:2024, titled ""Butter for Cosmetic Use — Specification — Part 2: Cocoa Butter "" This draft standard outlines the requirements, sampling, and test methods for cocoa butter intended for cosmetic use. The final date for submitting comments is 60 days from the date of notification (i.e. June 7, 2025). The draft standard includes the following key sections: 1. Scope 2. Terms and Definitions 3. Requirements (a) General Requirements: -Cocoa butter for cosmetic use shall be white to off-white semi-solid butter. -It shall be soluble in esters and fixed oils, and insoluble in water. -All ingredients used shall comply with EAS 377 (all parts). (b) Specific Requirements: As outlined in Table 1, cocoa butter shall meet the following criteria: -Melting point: 30–36°C (ISO 6321) -Moisture (% max): 0.2% (ISO 8534) -Fatty matter (% m/m, min): 98% (Annex A) -Saponification value (mg KOH/g): 188–198 (ISO 3657) -Peroxide value (meq O₂/kg, max): 10 (ISO 3960) -Iodine value (g I₂/100 g): 33–42 (ISO 3961) -Free fatty acids (% as oleic acid, max): 1.75% (ISO 660) (4) Microbiological Requirements: -Total aerobic count for cocoa butter intended for children under 3 years must not exceed 100 CFU/g. (5) Heavy Metal Limits: -Combined levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic must not exceed 10 mg/kg in the final product. (6) Packaging (7) Labelling (8) Sampling -Annex A provides the method for determining the total fatty substance content. "