Reference number  
DRS 86: 2017  
© RSB 2017  
 
 
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS  
86 
 
Second edition  
2017 -mm-dd 
 
Castor oil for cosmetic industry — 
Specification  
 
  DRS  86: 2017  
©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved                  ii 
 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  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© RSB 2017  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized 
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without 
prior written permission from R SB. 
Requests for permission to reprodu ce this document should be addressed to : 
Rwanda Standards  Board  
P.O Box 7099 Kigali -Rwanda  
KK 15 Rd, 49  
Tel. +250 252 586103/ 582945  
Toll Free: 3250  
E-mail: info@rsb.gov.rw  
Website: www.rsb.gov.rw   DRS 86: 2017  
iii                ©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved  
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4 Requ irements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
4.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
5 Packaging and labelling ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  3 
5.1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
5.2 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  3 
Annex  A (normative)  Determination of critical solution temperature  ................................ .................  4 
Annex  B (normative)  Method for detection of the processing (cold pressed or hot pressed) of 
castor oil  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  5 
 DRS  86: 2017  
©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved                  iv 
 Foreword   
Rwanda Standard s are prepared  by Technical Committees and approved by R wanda 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 S tandards adopted 
by Technical committ ees are ratified  by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and gazettment as 
Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 86 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 011, Cosmetics,  toiletries and surface active agents . 
In the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following standard s: 
1) KS 03 -799, Specification for Castor oil for cosmetic industry  
2) IS 11486, Specification for Castor oil for cosmetic industry.  
3) BS 7207:1990, Specification for crude vegetable fats   
The assistance de rived from the above source is hereby acknowledged with thanks.  
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (RS  86:200 7), which has been technically revised.  
Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Cosmetics, toiletries and surface 
active agents  (RSB/TC 011) in the preparation of this standard.  
ALYVO Rwanda Ltd  
Better Home Ltd  
EDEN BUSINESS CENTER Ltd  
Health Care Pharmacy  
Kacyiru Hospital (KH)  
Ministry of Health (MoH)  
National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA)  
Pharmacie Conseil  DRS 86: 2017  
v                ©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved  
 Pharmacie Nova  
Private Sector Federation/Beauty Makers Association (PSF)  
Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)  
Rwanda Dermatology Society (RDS)  
Rwanda National Police (RNP)  
SULFO Rwanda Industries Ltd  
The Ihangane Project (TIP)  
University of Rwanda — College of Science and Technology (UR — CST)  
ZIRUMUZE Cooperative  
Rwanda Standa rds Board (RSB) — Secretariat  
 DRS  86: 2017  
©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved                  vi 
 Introduction  
Oils and fats are among the most important cosmetic ingredients and are frequently used for a variety of external 
applications. They can be used directly as skin and hair care products but also as the basic subs tances for the 
manufacture of cosmetic products.  Many of the cosmetic and hair care products on the market today rely on 
hydrocarbon molecules, derived from either mineral or vegetable oils, to provide antistatic, plasticiser and 
viscosity properties.  Vege table oils made from almonds, castor, coconut and palm oil consist of ethereal salts 
of glycerine plus a large number of organic acids forming stearin, olein and palmitin, essential ingredients of 
these products.  
Castor oil and derivatives are used in soaps, creams (tretinoin), shampoos, perfumes, lip gels, lipsticks, hair oils 
(increases hair luster), deodorants, lubricants, sunscreens, and many other personal hygiene and beauty 
products.  
Castor oil has been used in skin care products for centuries, an d continues to play an important part in the 
production of soaps and cosmetics. Cosmetic manufacturers use castor oil and its derivatives in formulating 
non-comedogenic cosmetics (cosmetics that don't exacerbate or contribute to acne) and emollients.  
 
 DRS 86: 2017  
1                ©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved  
 Castor oil for cosmetic industry  — Specification  
1 Scope  
This Draft Rwanda Standard prescribes the requirements , sampling and test methods  for castor oil for cosmetic 
industry.  
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 of cosmetics — General requirements  
EAS 846, Glossary of terms relating to the cosmetic industry  
EAS 847 -2, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 2: Determination of moisture content and volatile matter 
content  
EAS 847 -5, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 5: Determination of unsaponifiable matter  
EAS 847 -7, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 7:  Determination of specific gravity  
EAS 847 -9, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 9: Determination of colour  
EAS 847 -10, Cosmetics - Analytical methods - Part 10: Determination of acetyl value and hydroxyl value  
EAS 847 -12, Cosmetics — Analytical methods  — Part 12: Determination of flash point by Pensky — Martens 
Closed Cap Tester  
EAS 847 -13, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 13: Determination of rancidity  
EAS 847 -16, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 16: Determination of lead, mercury and arsenic  content:  
ISO 660, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of acid value and acidity  
ISO 663, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of insoluble impurities content  
ISO 3657, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of saponification value  
ISO 3961, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of iodine value   
©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved                  2 
 ISO 6320, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of refractive index  
ISO 24153, Random sampling and randomisation procedures   
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in EAS 846 and the following apply.  
3.1 
castor oil  
pure oil obtained from castor seeds  (Ricinus. Communis Linn., fan. Euphoribiaceae ) by a process of cold 
expression or solvent  extraction using solvent hexane  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General requirements  
4.1.1 The product shall be castor oil obtained from high quality seeds Ricinus. Communis Linn., fan . 
Euphoribiaceae by a process of cold expression.  The product  shall be further undergone b leaching with 
bleaching earth or activated carbon or both, and deodorization with steam.  
4.1.2 The product shall be practically odourless or have a very mild odour characteristic of castor oil.  
4.1.3 When examined visually,  the product  shall be clear and free from sediments and other foreign matter , 
separated water and added colouring and flavouring substances . 
4.1.4 The product  shall be free from admixture with other oils.  
4.2 Specific requirements  
4.2.1  The product shall comply with the r equirements given in Table 1  when tested in accord ance  with the 
methods prescribed therein . 
Table 1  — Requirements for castor  oil  
S/No.  Characteristic  Requirement  Test method  
i Moisture content, % m/m, max.  0.5 EAS 847 -2 
ii Insoluble impurities, % m/m, max.  0.25 ISO 663  
iii Colour in a 1” cell on the Lovibond scale, expressed 
as Y + 5R, max. deepness  4.0 EAS 847 -9 
iv Refractive index at 20 C , range  1.4770 – 1.4810  ISO 6320  
v Specific gravity at 30/30 C, range  0.954 - 0.960   EAS 847 -7 
vi Saponifi cation value, range  177 – 187  ISO 3657  DRS 86: 2017  
3                ©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved  
 vii Iodine value , range  82 - 90 ISO 3961  
viii Acid value, max.  4.0 ISO 660  
ix Unsaponifiable matter, % m/m, max.  1.0 EAS 847 -5 
x Acetyl value, min  143 EAS 847 -10 
xi Flash point, C (Pensky Martens closed), min.  127 EAS 847 -12 
xii Test for rancidity  Shall be free from rancidity  EAS 847 -13 
xiii Critical solution temperature, max  0 ºC Annex A  
xiv Test for detection of cold pressed or hot pressed oil  Shall be cold pressed only  Annex B  
4.2.2  The products shall comply with the limits for heavy metal contaminants in accordance with Table 2  
when tested in accord ance  with the methods prescribed therein . 
Table 2 — Limits for heavy metal contaminants for castor  oil 
S/No  Characteristic  Requirement  Test method  
i Lead, mg/kg , max.  20  
EAS 847 -16 
 ii Arsenic, mg.kg , max  2 
iii Mercury, mg/kg , max.  2 
NOTE  1 The total amount of heavy metals as lead, mercury and arsenic, in combination, in 
the finished product should not exceed 20  mg/kg . 
NOTE  2 The heavy metals  including  lead, mercury and arsenic  may be as a result of 
contamination during processing and should not be deliberately added as ingredients.  
5 Packaging and labelling  
5.1 Packaging  
5.1.1 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.  
5.2 Labelling  
5.2.1 In addition to the requirements of RS EAS 346 , the Material Safety Data Sheet  shall be provided.  
5.2.2 The phrase ‘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) .  
©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved                  4 
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of critical solution temperature  
A.1 Reagent , the reagent shall be prepared by diluting ethy l 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. De -natured alcohol shall not be used for this test.  
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 20 ºC and shall remain clear when cooled and maintained 
for 5 minutes at a temperature of 0 ºC . 
  DRS 86: 2017  
5                ©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  B 
(normative ) 
 
Method for detection of the processing (cold pressed or hot pressed) of 
castor oil  
B.1 General  
The method involves the isolation of toxic components (Ricinine, etc.) from the castor oil by its treatment with 
acetone solution, followed by its extraction with chloroform. The chloroform extract is cleaned up, concentrated 
and spotted on TLC plates. The plates are developed at chamber saturation and excited under fluorescent light 
for visualization of the alkaloid(s). The hot pressed castor oil yields typica l fluorescent spots in U.V. light (365 
nm). 
B.2 Apparatus  
B.2.1  U.V. Lamp,  for fluorescent excitation in the long wave region (Chromato -Vue may be used with special 
advantage).  
B.2.2  Mechanical shaker/Magnetic stirrer  
B.2.3  TLC plates, (20 cm x 10 cm) and a suitable developing chamber  
B.2.4  A suitable spreading device, for adjusting layer thickness  
B.2.5  Conical flask, 300 mL to 500 mL  
B.2.6  Porcelain dishes, 50 mL  
B.2.7  Separating funnel, 500 Ml  
B.2.8  Electric oven, with temperature control device  
B.2.9  Desicator, containing an efficient dryer  
B.2.10  Graduated micro -pipettes/Micro syringes  
B.3 Reagents  
B.3.1  Kieselegal ‘G’ or Equivalent grade silica gel,  containing suitable amount of calcium sulphate as 
kinder ( b). 
B.3.2  Whatman filter paper no. 42 (or equivalent) .  
©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved                  6 
 B.3.3  Anhydrous sodium sulphate.  
B.3.4  Acetone.  
B.3.5  Acetone: water (1:1, v/v).  
B.3.6  Chloroform.  
B.3.7  Methanol.  
B.3.8  Solvent system,  chloroform:methanol (85:15, v/v).  
B.4 Preparation  
The plates are coated with silica gel ‘G’ using a suitab le spreading device, adjusting the layer thickness at 300 
nm, allowed to set and activated at 115 ºC ± 1 ºC for an hour.  The plates are stored in desiccators.  
B.5 Procedure  
B.5.1 The procedure shall be done as follows:  
a) take 10 mL of sample in a conical fl ask and add 50 mL acetone solution ( B.3.5 ); 
b) heat the mixture on a boiling water bath til l simmering starts;  
c) shake/stir the mixture using a mechanical shaker/magnetic stirrer for 15 minu tes; 
d) let the mixture attain room temperature and the o nly layer float on the surface;  
e) filter through a water -soaked filter paper (n o. 42);  
f) discontinue the filtration after the acetone extract stops trickling;  
g) transfer the filtrate into a separating funnel and extract with 5.3 mL of purified chloroform, shaking the 
mixture we ll each time;  
h) break the emulsion (if formed) by dropping a few crystals of anhydrous  sodium sulphate;  
i) clean up both the portions of this extract by passing it slowing through a column containing suitable amount s 
of anhydrous sodium sulphate;  
j) receive t he ev aluate in a porcelain dish;  
k) evaporate the solvent on a boiling water bath and re -dissolve the re sidue in 0.2 mL dry chloroform;  
l) spot 0.05 mL on a silica gel coated plate ( B.4); 
m) develop the plate at chamber saturation, using the above solvent system ( B.3.8 ) till the solvent front  reaches 
the height of 10 cm; and  
n) dry the plate using a blow -dryer and place it in an oven (maintained at 60 ºC to 80 º C) for 5 minutes to 10 
minutes.  
B.5.2 Visualization of fluorescent spots, the plate is visualized under U.V. light  in the long wave region 
(365 µm). In case of hot pressed castor oil, two green fluorescent spot at Rf 0.5 and one deep blue spot at Rf 
0.9 appear. A blue spot around Rf 0.7 may also appear sometimes. In case of cold pressed castor, oil blue 
spots Rf 0.9 a nd 0.7 may appear but the specific green spot shall be absent.  DRS 86: 2017  
7                ©RSB 2017  - All rights reserved  
 B.5.3 Sensitivity,  the method is highly sensitive in detecting the type of processing of castor oil. The genuine 
cold drawn (medicinal grade) castor oil, even after refining and bleaching, fails to pass the test. The method is 
also capable of detecting a mixture of as low a s 5% to 10% of hot pressed castor oil with cold pressed castor 
oil. 
NOTE 1  Development at chamber saturation is recommended in order to achieve sharpness in resolution and improve 
the reproducibility of Rf values.  
NOTE 2  Solvent mixture shall be prepared w ith care and as far as possible prepared freshly before each use.  
 
 DRS 86: 2017  
ICS 71.100.70  
 
 
©RSB 2017  - All right s reserved