ICS 71.100.70  
 
Reference number  
DRS 489 -1: 202 2 
© RSB 2022 
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS 
489-1 
 
First edition  
2022-mm-dd 
 
Oils for cosmetic use — Specification  
Part 1: Baobab seed oil  
   
DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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 In order to match with technological development and to keep continuous progress in industries, 
standards are subject to periodic review. Users shall ascertain that they are in possession of the latest 
edition  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ePortal: www.portal.rsb.gov.rw   DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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 Contents  Page 
Foreword  
 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
4.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  3 
5 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
6 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  4 
7 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 4 
Annex  A (normative)  Determination of critical solution temperature  ................................ .................  5 
A.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  5 
A.2 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 5 
 
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 DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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 Foreword  
Rwanda Standards are prepared by Technical Committees and approved by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) 
Board of Directors in accordance with the procedures of RSB, in compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT 
agreement on the preparation, adoption and application of standards.  
The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards. Final Draft Rwanda Standards adopted 
by technical comm ittees are ratified by members of RSB Board of Directors for publication and gazettment as 
Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 489-1 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 011, Cosmetics and related products.  
DRS 489 consists of the following parts, under the genera l title Oils for cosmetic use — Specification : 
— Part 1:  Baobab seed oil  
 
— Part 2:  Chia seeds oil  
 
— Part 3:  Passion fruits (maracuja) seed oil  
 
Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Cosmetics and related products 
(RSB/TC 011) in the preparation of this standard.  
 
University of Rwanda -College of Science and Technology (UR -CST)  
Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (R wanda -FDA)  
Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer protection Authority (RICA)  
Rwanda Forensic Laboratory (RFL)  
Standards for Sustainability (SFS)  
SULFO Industries Rwanda  
ORIBUT Company Ltd  
Divine Hope Company Ltd  
Better Home Ltd  
Beauty Makers Associ ation (BMA)  
Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) – Secretariat  DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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 Introduction  
The Baobab tree is native to Africa and regions of India. Traditionally, all parts of the tree are utilized for nutritive,  
culinary, personal care and beauty applications.  The seeds produce an oil that native women have used for 
countless years to protect their skin and hair from harsh conditions.  
Baobab oil is a n atural moisturizer sun -care, skin -care, body -care, used in creams and face masks, body lotions, 
hair-care, shampoos and co nditioners, lip balms, nail -care, bath oil, massage oil, anti -aging formulas.  
Topical application can help alleviate various skin disorders such as chronic dry skin, thin skin, chronic bruising 
and sun spots. It serves as an antioxidant and nourisher  which  improves skin elasticity and softens skiDRS 489-1: 202 2 
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Oils for cosmetic use — Specification — Part 1: Baobab seed oil  
1 Scope  
This Draft Rwanda Standard specifies the requirement, sampling and test methods for baobab seeds oil for 
cosmetic use.  
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that  some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the 
latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
RS EAS 346, Labelling o f cosmetics — General requirements  
 RS EAS 846, Glossary of terms relating to the cosmetic industry   
RS EAS 847 -2, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 2: Determination of moisture content and volatile 
matter content   
RS EAS 847 -5, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 5: Determination of unsaponifiable matter  
RS EAS 847 -7, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 7: Determination of specific gravity  
RS EAS 847 -9, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 9: Determination of colour  
RS EA S 847 -10, Cosmetics — Analytical methods - Part 10: Determination of acetyl value and hydroxyl value  
RS EAS 847 -12, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 12: Determination of flash point by Pensky — 
Martens Closed Cap Tester   
RS EAS 847 -13, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 13: Determination of rancidity  
RS EAS 847 -16, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 16: Dete rmination of lead, mercury and arsenic 
content                                                                                                                                                                                   
RS ISO 660,  Animal  and vegetabl e fats and oils — Determination of acid value and acidity                                            
RS ISO 663, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of insoluble impurities content                               
RS ISO 3657,  Animal and vegetab le fats and oils — Determination of saponification value                                           
RS ISO 3961, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of iodine value RS ISO 6320 Animal  and 
vegetable fats and oils — Determination of refractive index                                                                                                                     DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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 RS ISO 3960 Animal  and   vegetable fats and oils — Determination of peroxide value — Iodometric (visual) 
endpoint determination    
RS 278, Cosmetics — Methods of sampling  
 RS ISO 6887 -1, Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs — Preparation of test samples, initial 
suspension and decimal dilutions for microbiological examination — Part 1: General rules for preparation of 
the init ial suspensions and decimal dilutions  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in RS EAS 846 and the following 
apply.  
3.1 
baobab oil  
oil obtained from seeds of the indigenous baobab tree ( Adansonia digitata  L., Bombacaceae ), by a cold or heat 
pressing  which yields  an oil which is golden yellow in colour and slightly nutty scent in odour . 
4 Requirements  
4.1 General requirements  
4.1.1  Baobab oil with therapeutic claims shall be registered by the competent authority  
4.1.2  The product shall be insoluble in water but soluble in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, vegetable and 
mineral oil.  
4.1.3  When examined visually, the product shall be:  
a) clear;  
b) free from sediments and other foreign matter; and  
c) free from separated water, added colouring and flavouring substances.  
4.1.4  The product shall be a clear liquid with a slightly nutty scent.  
4.1.5  The product shall be free from admixture with other oils.  
 DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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 4.2 Specific requirements  
4.2.1  The product shall comply with the requirements given in Table 1 when test ed in accordance with the 
methods specified therein.  
Table 1 — Requirements for baobab seed oil for cosmetic industry  
S/N Characteristics  Requirements  Test method  
i.  Moisture content, % m/m, max  0.1 RS EAS 847 -2 
ii.  Colour  in a 1” cell on the Lovibond scale, 
expressed as Y + 5R, max. deepness  4.0 RS EAS 847 -9 
iii.  Insoluble impurities, % m/m, max.  0.25 RS ISO 663  
iv.  Refractive index at 20 C, range  1.46- 1.49 RS ISO 6320  
v.  Specific gravity at 20 C 0.85-0.95 RS EAS 847 -7 
vi.  Saponification value, range  140-210 RS ISO 3657  
vii.  Iodine value, range  65-95 RS ISO 3961  
viii.  Peroxide value, mg/kg, max  10 RS ISO 3960  
ix.  Acid value, max.  0.3- 0.5 RS ISO 660  
x.  Unsaponifiable matter, % m/m, max  1.5 RS EAS 847 -5 
xi.  Flash point, C min.  340 RS EAS 847 -
12 
xii.  Test for rancidity  Shall be free from 
rancidity  RS EAS 847 -
13 
xiii.  Critical solution temperature, 0ºC, max  0 Annex A  
 
4.2.2  The products shall comply with the limits for heavy metal contaminants in accordance with Table 2, 
when tested in accordance with the methods specified therein.  
Table 2⎯  Limits for heavy metal contaminants for baobab seed oil  
S/N Characteristics  Maximum limit, mg/kg  Test method  
i.  Lead  10 
RS EAS 847 -16 ii.  Arsenic  2  
iii.  Mercury,  2  
- The total amount of heavy metals as lead, mercury and arsenic, in combination, in the finished product should not exceed 10 
mg/kg.  
- The heavy metals including lead, mercury and arsenic may be as a result of contamination during processing and should no t 
be deliberately added as ingredients.  DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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4.2.3  The products shall also comply with the microbiological limits given in Table 3 when tested in 
accordance with the methods specified therein.  
Table 3 ⎯ Microbiological limits for baobab seed oil  
Characteristics  Maximum limit  Test method  
Total viable count for aerobic mesophyllic 
micro -organisms per gram.  100 RS ISO 6887 -1 
Pseudomonas aeruginosa  Not detectable in 0.5 g  RS ISO 22717  
Staphylococcus aureus  RS ISO 22718  
Candida albicans  RS ISO 18416  
5 Packaging  
The product shall be packaged in suitable well -sealed containers that shall protect the contents and shall not 
cause any contamination or react with the products.  
6 Labelling  
6.1  Labelling shall be done in accordance with RS EAS 346,  
6.2 In addition, the words “Baobab oilfor cosmetic use” and ‘For external use only’ shall be 
conspicuously marked, either printed on the label affixed to the container, or lithographed, or 
stencilled thereon with indelible ink.  
7 Sampling  
Random samples of the product shall be drawn for test in accordance with RS 278 from the market, factory or 
elsewhere.  
 DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of critical solution temperature  
A.1 General  
The reagent shall be prepared by diluting ethyl alcohol or rectified spirit with distilled water till the relative density 
of the mixture at 15.5 ºC is 0.8303 ± 0.0001, when compared with distilled water at the same temperature. 
Denatured alcohol shall not be used for this tes t.  
A.2 Procedure  
Mix in a test tube, 1.0 g of the oil, with 4.15 times its mass of the reagent. Upon examination, the 
solution thus obtained shall be perfectly clear at 20ºC and shall remain clear when cooled and 
maintained for 5 minutes at a temperature of 0 ºC.  
  DRS 489-1: 202 2 
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