DEAS 992: 2019  
ICS 67.220.20  
 
© EA C 2019                                                                                                                               First Edition 2019   
 EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Beeswax  — Specification    
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY  DEAS 992: 2019  
 © EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Copyright notice  
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Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted . DEAS 992: 2019  
© EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Types of beeswax  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 2 
5 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
5.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
5.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
6 Hygiene  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  3 
Contaminants  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  3 
6.1 Heavy metals  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  3 
6.2 Residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs  ................................ ................................ .....................  3 
7 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  3 
8 Weights and measures  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  3 
9 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  4 
10 Sampling and sample preparation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 4 
Annex  A (normative)  Determination of specific gravity  ................................ ................................ ................  5 
Annex  B (normative)  Determina tion ash content  ................................ ................................ ...........................  6 
Annex  C  (normative)   Determination of sulphated ash  ................................ ................................ ................  7 
Annex  D (normative)  Test for total volatile matter  ................................ ................................ .........................  8 
Annex  E (normative)  Test for paraffin and other waxes  ................................ ................................ ................  9 
Annex  F (normative)  Sampling and sample preparation  ................................ ................................ .............  10 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  12 
 
 
 
 
  DEAS 992: 2019  
 © EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the  East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are exchanged 
within the Community will be removed.  
The Community has established an East African Standards Commi ttee (EASC)  mandated to develop and 
issue East African Standards  (EAS) . The Committee is composed of representatives of the National 
Standards Bodies in Partner States, together with the representatives from the public and private sector 
organizations  in the community .  
East African Standards are developed through  Technical Committees that are representative of key 
stakeholders including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties. 
Draft East African Standards are circ ulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodies in the 
Partner States. The comments received are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in 
accordance with the Principles and procedures for develop ment of East African Stan dards . 
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
The commi ttee responsible for this document is Technical Committee EASC/TC 011 Apiary and apiary 
products .  
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be subject of patent 
rights. EAC shall not be held responsible for identifying any o r all such patent rights.  DEAS 992: 2019  
© EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  v 
 Introduction  
Beeswax is a complex mixture of saturated and unsaturated linear and complex monoesters, hydrocarbons, 
free fatty acids, free fatty alcohols, and other minor substances secreted in form of scales by worker bees 
throu gh their wax glands. It is extracted from honeycombs of either wild or domesticated bees after the 
removal of honey. The beeswax as obtained from the combs is called 'raw beeswax' and is progressively 
modified by physical treatment to yield crude and refin ed beeswax, and by chemical treatment to yield 
bleached beeswax.  
Beeswax has many uses such as making adhesives, candles, cosmetics, electrical insulation, explosives, 
polishes, lubricants, pencils, pharmaceuticals, printing inks, shoe creams, varnishes a nd in leather. 
Additionally, it is used in the moulding, paper and rubber industries.  
In the food industry, beeswax is used:  
 as a glazing agent on confectionery, small products of fine bakery wares coated with chocolate, 
snacks, nuts and coffee beans;  
 as a texturiser for chewing gum base;  
 as a clouding agent;  
 surface coating of fruits such as fresh citrus fruits, melons, apples, pears, peaches and pineapples; 
and  
 as a carrier for food flavours and colours.  
This standard has been developed to ensure the s afety and quality of beeswax used in the food industry. DEAS 992: 2019    
 
© EAC 2019 – All rights reserved  
  
 Beeswax  — Specification  
1 Scope  
This Draft East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test  methods for food grade beeswax 
used in the food industry.   
2 Normative references  
The follow ing 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.  
AOAC 972.25 , Lead in Food Atomic Absorption  Spectrophotometric Method  
ISO 660, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of acid value and acidity  
ISO 3657 , Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of  saponification value  
ISO 3961 , Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of iodine value  
ISO 6320, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of refractive index  
ISO 6321, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of melting poin t in open capillary tubes (Slip 
point)  
CODEX STAN 107, General standard for the labelling of food additives when sold as such  
EAS 39, Hygiene in the food and drink manufacturing industry — Code of practice  
CAC/ RCP 1, General principles of food hygiene  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp   
3.1  
beeswax  
product obtained from honeycombs of bees after the removal of honey  DEAS 992: 2019  
 © EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  
  
3.2  
bleached beeswax  
refined beeswax that has been bleached and finely filtered  
3.3  
crude beeswax  
wax obtained from the h oneycombs after the removal of honey and after being subjected to a preliminary 
treatment such as melting, scumming, decantation and/or moulding  
3.4 
food grade material  
material, made of substances which are safe and suitable for their intended use and whi ch will not impart any 
toxic substance or undesirable odour or flavour to the product  
3.5  
refined beeswax  
wax obtained after subjecting crude beeswax to further purification by melting using hot water or steam 
followed by finer filtration  
4 Types  of beesw ax 
Beeswax shall be of the following two types:  
a) crude beeswax; and  
b) refined beeswax  (bleached or not) . 
5 Requirements  
5.1 General  requirements  
Crude and refined beeswax shall:  
a) be whitish yellow to yellowish brown in colour;  
b) be very soluble in ether , sparing ly soluble in alcohol  and i nsoluble in water ; 
c) not contain any other waxes such as paraffin, microcrystalline or synthetic waxes  or adulterated in any 
other way ; and  
d) be free of inorganic or organic matter such as bees, brood, debris, sand or any other extra neous 
matter.  
5.2 Specific requirements  
All crude and refined beeswax shall com ply with the specific requirements given in Table 1  when tested in 
accordance with the methods specified therein . 
 
 DEAS 992: 2019  
© EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Table 1 — Specific r equirements for beeswax  
S/No Characteris tic Limit  
Test method  Crude  Refined  
i Specific gravity at 25 °C  0.950 – 0.995  0.945 – 0.980  Annex A  
ii Refractive index at 75 °C  1.440 – 1.445  ISO 6320  
iii Melting point, °C  58 – 64  59 – 66  ISO 6321  
iv Acid value (mg KOH/g), max.  12 10 ISO 660  
v Saponification value (mg KOH/g), 
max.  80 105  ISO 3657  
vi Iodine value (mgI 2/g of product)  5.5 – 10.0 ISO 3961  
vii Ash, %mm, max.  0.6 0.5 Annex B  
viii Sulphated asha, % mm, max.  0.006  0.005  Annex C  
ix Total volatile matter, % mm, max.  1.0 0.75 Annex  D 
xii Paraffin and other waxes  To pass test  Annex E  
a Shall not contain any particles of gritty nature which are retained on a 425 -µm IS sieve  
6 Hygiene  
Beeswax shall be produced, processed and handled in accordance with CAC/ RCP 1 . 
7 Contaminants   
7.1 Heavy metals  
Lead (as Pb), shall not exceed 1 mg/kg  when tested in accordance with AOAC 972.25.  
7.2 Residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs  
Beeswax shall conform to the Maximum Residue Limits for pesticides and veterinary drugs for foodstuffs of 
anima l origin established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.  
8 Packaging  
Beeswax  shall be securely packaged in containers made of food grade material s. The packages shall 
preserve the  safety and  quality of the product, prevent entry of light and preclude con tamination from the 
external environment . 
9 Weights and measures  
The package s shall comply with the Weights and Measures Regulations  of respective Partner States . DEAS 992: 2019  
 © EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 10 Labelling  
In addition to the requirements of CODEX STAN 107, the product packages shall be  legibly and indelibly labelled with the 
following information:  
i) product name as “Beeswax” showing the type; either crude or refined;  
ii) name and physical address of the processor/packer/importer;  
iii) date of packaging ; 
iv) best before  date;  
v) storage  conditions; and 
vi) net weight  of the product in metric  units . 
11 Sampling  and sample preparation  
Representative samples of the product shall be drawn and prepared in accordance with the procedure  
elaborated in Annex F. DEAS 992: 2019  
© EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  v 
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of specific gravity  
A.1  Apparatus  
A.1.1  Water bath  maintained at 25 ºC ± 1 ºC.  
A.1.2  Specific gravity bottle of  25-ml capacity  
A.2  Reagents  
A.2.1  Rectified spirit  of specific gravity, d 
A.3  Procedure  
Melt 2 g of beeswax  in a porcelain crucible at a temperature of about 100 º C. Allow to cool at room 
temperature.  Remove the solidified beeswax from the crucible, warming slightly if necessary.  Attach a tared 
silk thread that will suspend the beeswax during weighing.  Store the sample  for 2 hours at  25 ºC ± 1 ºC.  
Determine the mass  of the sample, first in air  (M1) and then in rectified spirit maintained at 25 ºC ± 1 ºC  (M2). 
Determine the  specific gravity at 25 ºC  of the rectified spirit by means of the specific gravity bottle.  
The specific gravity at 25 ºC  shall be calculated as : 
M MdM
11
 
where  
M1 is the mass, in grams, of the sample in air;  
d is the specific gravity of rectified spirit; and  
M2 is the mass, in grams, of the sample in rectified spirit.  
 
 
 DEAS 992: 2019  
 © EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Annex  B 
(normative)  
 
Determina tion a sh content  
B.1 Apparatus  
B.1.1  Platinum dish  of 100-ml capacity  
B.1.2  Weighing scale (0.1 mg accuracy)  
B.1.3  Desiccator  
B.1.4  Watch -glass  
B.1.5  Bunsen burner  
B.1.6  Muffle furnace  
B.2  Procedure  
Heat the platinum dish to redness, coo l to room temperature in a desiccator and weigh. Take about 5 g of the 
sample in a watch -glass and weigh accurately ( M1). Transfer about three -quarters of the weighed sample into 
the platinum dish and heat using a Bunsen burner so that the wax burns gently  at the surface. When about 
half of the wax is burnt away, stop heating, cool and add the remainder of the sample. Weigh the watch -glass 
again and find, by difference, the exact mass of the sample transferred to the platinum dish. Heat again as 
before till  the sample is completely charred. Incinerate in a muffle furnace at 550 ºC – 650 ºC for 1 h. Cool to 
room temperature in a desiccator and weigh. Repeat incineration, cooling and weighing until the difference 
between two successive weighing is less than on e milligram.  
The ash content, expressed as percentage, mass by mass (% mm) , shall be calculated as : 
12100
MM
 
where  
M1 is the mass, in grams, of the sample analysed; and  
M2 is the mass, in grams, of the ash obtained.     
 DEAS 992: 2019  
© EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  vii 
 Annex  C  
(normative)   
 
Determination of sulphated ash  
C.1  Apparatus  
C.1.1 Platinum dish  of 100-ml capacity  
C.1.2 Analytical balance  (0.1 mg accuracy)  
C.1.3  Heating plate  
C.1.4 Desiccator  
C.1.5 Muffle furnace  
C.2  Reagent s 
Sulphuric acid,  10 % (min)  
C.3  Procedure  
Accuratel y weigh about 5 g of the sample into a platinum dish and add 5 ml of sulphuric acid. Gently heat the 
dish until the sample is well carbonized, and then increase the heat until the evolution of sulphuric acid fumes 
ceases. Ash the carbonised matter in a muf fle furnace at 550 °C ± 25 °C. Allow the ash to cool and moisten it 
with 2 ml – 3 ml of sulphuric acid. Heat strongly until the evolution of sulphuric acid fumes ceases and finally 
ash in the muffle furnace at 550 °C ± 25 °C for 2 h. Cool in a desiccator a nd weigh. Heat again in the muffle 
furnace for 30 min at 550 °C ± 25 °C. Cool in a desiccator and weigh. Repeat the process of heating in the 
muffle furnace for 30 min, cooling and weighing till the difference between two successive weighings is less 
than 1 mg. Record the lowest mass.  
The sulphated ash content, expressed as percentage mass by mass (% mm), shall be calculated as follows:  
21 100
MM
 
where  
M1 is the mass, in grams, of the ash, and  
M2 is the mass, in grams of the sample tested.  
 
 
 
 
 DEAS 992: 2019  
 © EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Annex  D 
(normative)  
 
Test for total volatile matter  
D.1  Apparatus  
D.1.1  Air oven  maintained at 105 ºC  
D.1.2  Analytical balance  
D.1.3  Metal or aluminium dish , with a lid  
D.1.4  Desiccator  
D.2  Procedure  
Weigh accurately about 10 g of the material in a metal or aluminium dish, previously dried and weighed, and 
heat in an air oven at 105 ºC for 6 h. Cool the dish in a desiccator and weigh with the lid on. Heat the dish 
again in the oven for 30 min. Repeat th e process until the loss in mass between two successive weighings in 
less than one milligram. Record the lowest mass obtained.  
The total volatile matter, expressed as percentage, mass by mass (% mm), shall be calculated as follows:  
3 12 1 ) ( 100
M MM M
  -    -  
 
where 
M1 is the mass, in grams, of the dish with the sample before heating;  
M2 is the mass, in grams, of the dish with sample after heating; and  
M3 is the mass, in grams, of the empty dish.  DEAS 992: 2019  
© EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  ix 
 Annex  E 
(normative)  
 
Test for paraffin and other waxes  
E.1  Apparatus  
E.1.1 Analytical balance,  readable to 0.1 g  
E.1.2 Conical flask of 250 -ml capacity  
E.1.3 Reflux condenser  
E.1.4 Water bath or heating  plate  
E.2  Reagents  
E.2.1 Alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution approximately 0.5N, prepared by dissolving potassium 
hydroxide in 95 % ethanol.  
E.2.2 Ethanol,  95 % 
E.3  Procedure  
Weigh 1.0 g of the sample  and place it in a conical flask fitted with a water -cooled reflux condenser.  Add 10 ml 
of alcoholic potassium hydroxid e solution. Boil under reflux for one hour. Detach the flask from  the condenser, 
insert suitably a thermometer into the liquid in the flask and allow to cool, stirring constantly. The material shall 
be taken to have passed the test if the following conditi ons are satisfied:  
a) the liquid does not become cloudy at a temperature higher th an 61 °C but becomes cloudy at a 
temperature between 61  °C and 59  °C; and 
b) precipitation of large flocks occurs at not more than 2  °C below the temperature at which the liquid  
becomes cloudy.  
 
 
 DEAS 992: 2019  
 © EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Annex  F 
(normative)  
 
Sampling and sample preparation  
F.1  General requirements of sampling  
In drawing, preparing, storing and handling samples, the following precautions and directions shal l he 
observed:  
a) samples shall be taken in a protected place not exposed to damp air, dust or soot;  
b) the sampling instruments shall be clean and dry;  
c) the samples shall be placed in clean and dry glass containers. The sample containers shall be of such 
a size that they are almost completely filled by the sample;  
d) each container shall be sealed air -tight after sampling and marked with full details of the sample, such 
as; batch or code number, name of the manufacturer, and other important particulars of the 
consig nment; and  
e) samples shall be stored in such a manner that the temperature of the material does not vary unduly 
from the normal temperature.  
F.2  Scale of sampling  
F.2.1.1  All the containers in a single consignment of the same material drawn from a single ba tch of 
manufacture shall constitute a lot. If the consignment is declared to consist of different batches of 
manufacture, the batches shall be marked separately and the groups of containers in each batch 
shall constitute a separate lot.  
F.2.1.2  Samples sha ll be tested for each lot for ascertaining the conformity of the material to the requirement 
of this specification.  
F.2.1.3  The number of containers to be selected from the lot shall depend on the size of the lot and shall be 
in accordance with the samplin g criteria given in Table F.1.  
Table F.1 — Number of containers to be selected for sampling  
Lot size  
N Number of containers to be selected  
n 
Up to 25  3 
26 – 100  4 
101 – 500  5 
501 – 1 000  7 
1 001 and above  9 
 
 DEAS 992: 2019  
© EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  xi 
 F.2.1.4  The containers shall be sel ected at random from the lot and for this purpose a random number table 
shall be used. If such a table is not available, the following procedure shall be adopted:  
Starting from any container in the lot, count them as 1, 2, 3 up to r in a systematic manner,  where r is equal to 
the integral part of N/n, N being the total number of containers in the lot and n the number of containers to be 
chosen (see Table 2). Every rth container thus counted shall be separated until the requisite number of 
containers is obta ined from the lot to give samples for test.  
F.3  Test and referee samples  
F.3.1  Preparation of individual samples  
Using suitable sampling instrument, draw equal quantities of the product from different parts of the container 
till 500 g of product is drawn  and divide it into three equal parts. Each part of the three parts shall constitute an 
individual sample representing the container and shall be transferred immediately to thoroughly cleaned and 
dry containers, sealed air -tight and marked with particulars  given under F.1 d ). The individual sample so 
obtained shall be divided into three sets in such a way that each set has a sample representing each selected 
container. One of these shall be marked for the purchaser, another for the seller and the third for the referee.  
F.3.2  Preparation of composite sample  
From the product remaining after the individual sample has been taken from the selected containers, 
approximately equal quantities of the product shall be taken and mixed together so as to form a composite  
sample weighing 150 g. This composite sample shall be divided into three equal parts and transferred to clean 
and dry containers, sealed air -tight and labelled with particulars as given in F.1 d) . One of these composite 
samples shall be for the purchaser,  another for the vendor and the third for the referee.  
F.3.3  Referee samples  
Referee samples shall consist of a set of individual samples (F.3.1) and a composite sample (F.3.2) marked 
for this purpose and shall bear the seals of the purchaser and the selle r. These shall be kept at an agreed 
place.  
F.4  Number of tests  
F.4.1 Tests for melting point, total volatile matter, ash and sulphated ash shall be conducted on each of the 
samples constituting a set of individual samples.  
F.4.2 Tests for specific gravity , refractive index, acid value, saponification value and iodine value, matter 
insoluble in benzene and matter soluble in water shall be conducted on the composite sample.  DEAS 992: 2019  
 © EAS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
[1] JECFA Specification (2005), Beeswax  monograph  
[2] ES 1203 : 2005, Beeswax — Specification (First edition)  
[3] EFSA (2007), Beeswax (E 901) as a glazing agent and as carrier for flavours    
[4] ET 1504: 2005, Beeswax — Specification (First  Revision)  
[5] IS 1504: 1996 (Reaffirmed in 2008), Beeswax, Crude and refined — Specific ation  (Third Revision)  
[6] IS 4028 (1977),  Beeswax, Bleached for Cosmetic Industry — Specification (First Revision)