,"The WTO has circulated a notification from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda concerning DEAS 882:2025 – Packaging — Flexible carrier bags — Specification. The draft standard, developed under ICS 55.120, sets out requirements, sampling, and test methods for carrier bags made of paper or other flexible non-plastic materials. It aims to guide product quality, structural performance and labelling, while clarifying that it does not apply to thermoplastic carrier bags. The proposal references ISO 8367-1 for dimensional tolerances and is administered through the Kenya Bureau of Standards as the regional enquiry contact.
The measure seeks to promote consumer information, product quality, harmonization of regional rules, and reduction of technical barriers to trade within the East African Community. Notified under TBT Articles 2.9.2 and 5.6.2, the draft is open for public comments until 30 November 2025, with adoption and entry-into-force dates to be confirmed. Comments and document requests are handled through the Kenya Bureau of Standards WTO/TBT Enquiry Point."