New East African Standard for Hair Oils Launched

On 3 July 2024, five East African countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the Draft East African Standard for Hair Oils - Specifications (DEAS 841:2023) was adopted by the East African Community Council of Ministers on 14 June 2024. This second edition of the standard will replace the 2017 edition, and introduces technical revisions aimed at ensuring higher quality and safety standards for hair oil products across the region.

Comprehensive Scope and Requirements

The standard specifies requirements and sampling methods for hair oils, which include products made from vegetable oils, mineral oils or a combination of both. However, hair oils with therapeutic claims are excluded from this standard. All oils used must comply with the relevant raw material standards and any additional ingredients must comply with all parts of EAS 377, which lists substances that are banned or restricted in cosmetic products. The final product should be a clear liquid, free of sediment and suspended matter, and not irritating to the scalp. Any added dyes, pigments or fragrances must be of cosmetic grade.

Safety Standards

To ensure consumer safety, the draft standard sets strict limits on heavy metal content. Hair oils must not contain more than 10 mg/kg of lead, 2 mg/kg of arsenic or 2 mg/kg of mercury. Together, the total heavy metal content must not exceed 10 mg/kg. Microbiological requirements specify limits on total viable counts and the absence of harmful micro-organisms such as Staphylococcus Aureus, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Candida Albicans

Packaging and Labelling

DEAS 841:2023 outlines packaging standards to ensure product integrity and prevent contamination. Labels must comply with the general requirements of EAS 346 (Labelling of Cosmetics – General Requirements) and each package must be clearly labelled with the product name "Hair Oil".

Harmonising Regional Trade

The introduction of DEAS 841:2023 is part of the East African Community's ongoing efforts to harmonise product standards across member states to facilitate trade and ensure that consumers receive high quality products. The draft was circulated to stakeholders for review and feedback to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive standard.

The full text of DEAS 841:2023 is available here.