G/TBT/N/MWI/35  
 
12 February 2019  
(19-0800) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member: MALAWI   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible: Malawi Bureau of Standards  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
Director General  
Malawi Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 946  
Blantyre  
Malawi  
Tel: +265 1 870 488  
Fax: +265 1 870 756  
Email: mbs@mbsmw.org  
Website: www.mbsmw.org  N 
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [ X], 5.7.1 [   ], other:  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): 
Undercoats fo r paints; Paints and varnishes (ICS 87.040).  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: DMS 393:2018, 
Undercoats for paints - Specification (11 page(s), in English)    
6. Description of content: This draft standard specifies requirements and method of 
sampling and tests for undercoats for use under air -drying paints and for application over 
primed steel and wood and on sealed and primed masonry, hardboard, compressed 
fiberboard and similar materia ls used in the construction and furnishing of buildings.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable: Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection; Protection of 
human health or safety; Quality requir ements  
8. Relevant documents:   
1. MS 275, Paints and varnishes - Comparison of contrast ratio (hiding power) of 
paints of the same type and colour;  
2. MS 274, Paints and varnishes - Standard panels for testing;  
3. MS 276, Paints and varnishes - Measurement of specular gloss of non -metallic 
paint films at 20, 60 and 85 ; G/TBT/N/MWI/35  
 
- 2 - 
 
  4. MS 283, Standard test method for low concentration of lead, cadmium, and cobalt 
in paint by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy;  
5. MS 722,  Labelling, Presentation and advertising of prepacked goods for the 
ultimate consumer;  
6. MS 282, Decorative high gloss enamel paints;  
7. MS 892, Paints and varnishes - Examination and preparation of samples for 
testing;  
8. MS 1007,  Paints and varnishes - Determination of brush and roller properties;  
9. MS 1009,  Paints, varnishes and printing inks - Determination of fineness of grind;  
10. MS 1010 -1, Paints and varnishes - Determination of hiding power - Part 1: 
Kubelka -Munk method  for white and light -coloured paints;  
11. MS 1014 -1, Paints and varnishes - Colorimetry - Part 1: Principles;  
12. MS 1014 -2, Paints and varnishes - Colorimetry - Part 2: Colour measurement;   
13. MS 1014 -3, Paints and varnishes - Colorimetry - Part 3: Calculation of colour 
differences;  
14. MS 1016 -1, Paints and varnishes - Drying tests - Part 1: Determination of 
through -dry sta te and through -dry time;  
15. MS 1016 -3, Paints and varnishes - Drying tests - Part 3: Surface -drying test using 
ballotini;  
16. MS 1017, Method for calculation of small colour differences;  
17. MS 1018,  Paints and varnishes - Determination of viscosity by means of an ef flux 
cup;  
18. MS 1019, Paints and varnishes - Cross -cut test;  
19. MS 1020,  Paints and varnishes - Sanding properties of paint film;  
20. MS 1027, Paints and varnishes  - Determination of viscosity by means of a 
Stormer viscometer; and 
21. MS-ISO 9001 , Quality management s ystems - requirements.  
9. Proposed date of adoption: To be determined  
Proposed date of entry into force: Six months from date of adoption  
10. Final date for comments: 60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:   
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2019/TBT/MWI/19_0796_0 0_e.pdf