Reference number  
DRS 398: 2018  
© RSB 2018  
 
 
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS  
398 
 
First edition  
2018 -mm-dd 
 
Calabash oil for cosmetic industry — 
Specification  
 
  DRS 398: 2018  
©RSB 2018 - 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 2018  
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 788303492  
Toll Free: 3250  
E-mail: info@rsb.gov.rw  
Website: www.rsb.gov.rw  
ePortal: www.portal.rsb.gov.rw  DRS 398: 2018  
iii                ©RSB 2018 - 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 ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
5.1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
5.2 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  4 
6 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 4 
Annex  A (normative )  Determination of critical solution temperature  ................................ .................  5 
 DRS 398: 2018  
©RSB 2018 - 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 398 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 011, Cosmetics and Related Products . 
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)  
J&K 
MORIJA Cosmetics/Mori ja Supply Ltd  
Beauty Makers Association (BMA)  
KAN-HAN Ltd  
GAKO Organic Farming Training C enter (GOFTC/Rwanda All Green I nvestment  Ltd 
MINAGRI/RALIS  
Rwanda  Standards Board  (RSB) – Secretariat  DRS 398: 2018  
v                ©RSB 2018 - All rights reserved  
 Introduction  
Calabash  (Lagenaria sphaerica  - Umutanga ) is an ann ual herbaceous climber coming from Cucurbitaceae 
family which has traditionally been collected in Rwanda and used for medicinal purposes as a soothing and 
healing agent. Calabash oil contains more than 55% of unsaturated fatty acids. The major unsaturated 
components are linoleic acid (omega -3) and oleic acid (omega -9)and sterolic compounds such as 
spinasterol. These plants are generally found in low -lying areas from the Eastern Cape  of South Africa  to East 
Africa . The y may grow along river floodplains or up into the canopy of riparian  forests. They may also be found 
in coastal dune vegetation.  
Calabash  Oil is extremely rich in fatty acid content. These acids not produced by the body, must be 
supplemented to maintain the health and appearance of the skin and hair. They are essential to maintaining 
normal cell renewal and optimal moisture content of the epidermal skin barrier.  
The composition of Calabash makes it a valuable ingredient in hair conditioning and moisturizing hair and scalp 
formulations. Linoleic acid has antioxidant and anti -inflammatory properties making it useful for dry, scaly skin 
conditions. Other present compou nds provide soothing effects and defense against infection.  
 
 DRS 398: 2018  
1                ©RSB 2018 - All rights reserved  
 Calabash oil for cosmetic industry  — Specif ication  
1 Scope  
This Draft Rwanda S tandard specifies the requirements, sampling and test methods for Calabash 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  
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 EAS 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 r ancidity  
RS EAS 847 -16, Cosmetics — Analytical methods — Part 16: Determination of lead, mercury and arsenic 
content:  
RS ISO 660, Animal and vegetable 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 vegetable fats and oils — Determination of saponification value  
RS ISO 3961, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of iodine value   
©RSB 2018 - All rights reserved                  2 
 RS ISO 6320, Animal and vegetable fats an d oils — Determination of refractive index  
RS ISO 24153, Random sampling and randomisation procedures  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in RS EAS 846 and the following apply.  
4.1 
calabash oil  
pure refi ned oil obtained from the seeds of the Lagenaria sphaerica  (Umutanga)  tree, an annual herbaceous 
climber coming from Cucurbitaceae family which is generally found in low -lying areas from the Eastern Cape  of 
South Africa  to East Africa . 
4 Requirements  
4.1 General requirements  
4.1.1  The product shall be calabash oil obtained from seed of the calabash tree ( Lagenaria sphaerica - 
Umutanga ), by a cold or heat pressing , followed by a full refining process to render an oil which is light in color 
and mild in odor.  
4.1.2  When examined visually, the product shall be clear and free from sediments and other foreign matter, 
separated water and added colouring and flavouring substances.  
4.1.3  The product shall be free from admixture with other oils.  
4.2 Specific requirements  
4.2.1  The product shall comply  with the requirements given in Table 1 when tested in accordance with the 
methods prescribed therein.  
Table 1 – Requirements for calabash oil for cosmetic industry  
S/No.  Characteristic  Requirement  Test method  
i Moisture content, % m/m, max.  0.1 RS EAS 847-2 
ii Insoluble impurities, % m/m, max.  0.25 RS ISO 663  
iii Colour in a 1” cell on the Lovibond scale, expressed 
as Y + 5R, max. deepness  4.0 RS EAS 847 -9 
iv Refractive index at 20 C, range  1.4650 – 1.4800  RS ISO 6320  
v Specific gravity at 20C, range  0.915-0.930   RS EAS 847 -7 
vi Saponifi cation value, range  185–197  RS ISO 3657  
vii Iodine value , range  120–145  RS ISO 3961  DRS 398: 2018  
3                ©RSB 2018 - All rights reserved  
 viii Acid value, max.  10 RS ISO 660  
ix Unsaponifiable matter, % m/m, max.  1.5 RS EAS 847 -5 
x Acetyl value, min  143 RS EAS 847 -10 
xi Flash point, C (Pensky Martens closed), min.  250 RS EAS 847 -12 
xii Test for rancidity  Shall be free from rancidity  RS EAS 847 -13 
xiii Critical solution temperature, max  0 ºC Annex A  
4.2.2  The products shall comply with the limits for heavy metal contaminants in accordance with Table 
2when tested in accord ance with  the methods prescribed therein . 
Table 2 – Limits for heavy metal contaminants for calabash oil 
S/No  Characteristic  Requirement  Test method  
i Lead, mg/kg , max.  20  
RS 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.  
4.2.3 The products shall also comply with the microbiological limits given in Table 3  when tested in 
accordance with the methods prescribed therein . 
Table 3  Microbiological limits for pet shampoos  
Micro -organisms  Maximum limit,  
cfu/g  Test method  
Total viable count , max.  100 in 0.5 g1) RS ISO 6887 -1 
100 in 0. 1 g2) 
Pseudomonas aeruginosa3)  
Not detectable  RS ISO 22717  
Staphylococcus aureus3) RS ISO 22718  
Candida albicans3) RS ISO 18416  
1) For products specifically intended for children under 3 years, eye area and mucous membranes  
2) For other products  
3) For Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus  and Candida albicans , the limits shall not be detectable 
in 0.5 g for products specifically intended for children under 3 years, eye area and mucous membranes and in 
0.1 g for other products.   
©RSB 2018 - All rights reserved                  4 
  
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) . 
6 Sampling  
Random samples of the product shall be dr awn for test in accordance with RS ISO 24153 from the market, 
factory or elsewhere.  
 DRS 398: 2018  
5                ©RSB 2018 - All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of critical solution temperature  
A.1 Reagent , 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. 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 . 
   
©RSB 2018 - All rights reserved                  6 
 Bibliography  
[1] Danjuma, M. N. and Dandago, M. A. , Extraction and characterization of calabash seed oil , June 2009.  
 
 DRS 398: 2018  
ICS 71.100.70  
 
 
©RSB 2018  - All right s reserved