,On November 10, 2025, the World Trade Organization (WTO) circulated an addendum regarding the Draft East African Standard DEAS 967-1:2022, Butter for Cosmetic Use – Specification, Part 1: Shea Butter (Second Edition), submitted by Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The addendum informs WTO Members that the standard entered into force on 11 July 2025 and outlines the regulatory scope, product coverage, objectives, applicable test methods, and reference documents. Product coverage includes cosmetic-grade shea butter derived from Vitellaria paradoxa and Vitellaria nilotica, excluding products with therapeutic claims. The standard specifies quality requirements, sampling procedures, analytical and microbiological test methods, labelling requirements, and safety considerations for cosmetic-grade shea butter. Key regulatory objectives include protection of human health and safety, ensuring accurate consumer information, preventing deceptive practices, establishing quality consistency, harmonizing East African cosmetic standards, and reducing technical barriers to trade. DEAS 967-1:2022 incorporates international references such as ISO test methods (ISO 660, 662, 663, 3596, 3657, 3960, 3961, 6321, 8294, 15774, 5555), microbiological standards (ISO 21149, 21527, 18416, 22717, 22718, 22716), East African Standards (EAS 346, 846, 847-16), and technical literature including Dynasty Shea & Essentials Specifications, Quality Characteristics of West African Shea Butter (2011), Shea Butter Export Guide (2005), and SCCS/1564/15.
Consult
