ICS 01.040.91; 91.100.15  
 
Reference number
DRS 528: 2022
© RSB2022
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS 
528 
 
First edition  
2022-mm-dd 
 
Natural stone test methods — 
Denomination criteria  
   
DRS 528: 2022 
©RSB 2023- 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 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© RSB2022 
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 RSB. 
Requests for permission to reproduce 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 528: 2022 
iii                ©RSB 2023- All rights reserved 
 Contents Page 
Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................ iv  
1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 1  
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................ 1  
3 Terms and definitions ........................................................................................................................... 1  
4 Denomination of natural stone ............................................................................................................ 1  
4.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 1  
4.1.1 Name of the natural stone (traditional name) ..................................................................................... 1  
4.1.2 Petrological family ................................................................................................................................. 1  
4.1.3 Typical colour ........................................................................................................................................ 2  
4.1.4 Place of origin ........................................................................................................................................ 2  
5 Other information .................................................................................................................................. 2  
5.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 2  
5.1.1 Process finish ........................................................................................................................................ 2  
5.1.2 Natural features ..................................................................................................................................... 2  
5.1.3 Petrographic name ................................................................................................................................ 2  
5.1.4 Geological age ....................................................................................................................................... 2  
. DRS 528: 2022 
©RSB 2023- All rights reserved                  iv 
 Foreword 
Rwanda Standardsarepreparedby 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 committees are ratified by members of RSB Board of Directors for publication and 
gazettment as Rwanda Standards. 
DRS528was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC  9, Civil engineering and building materials.  
In the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following standard: 
BS EN 12440:2008, Natural stone — Denomination criteria 
The assistance derived from the above source is hereby acknowledged with thanks. 
DRS528consists of the following parts, under the general title Introductory element — Main element : 
Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Civil engineering and building 
materials (RSB/TC 9) in the preparation of this standard. 
A+Construction Group Ltd 
Africeramics Ltd 
Consultants Engineers Group (CEG) Ltd 
D&D Resources Ltd 
Dutureheza Ltd 
Enabel Rwanda 
Greenpack Africa Ltd 
Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) - Musanze  
Mass Design Group 
NP Construction Company (NPCC) Ltd DRS 528: 2022 
v                ©RSB 2023- All rights reserved 
 Road Transport Development Agency (RTDA) 
Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) 
Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) 
Rwanda Quarries Association (RQA) 
SKAT Consult  
St Joseph Engineering Company (SJEC) Ltd 
Standards for Sustainability (SfS) 
Stonecraft Industries Ltd 
University of Rwanda - College of Science and Technology (UR - CST) 
Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) – Secretariat 
  DRS 528: 2023 
1                ©RSB 2023- All rights reserved 
 Natural stone test methods — Denomination criteria 
1 Scope 
This Draft Rwanda Standard specifies the criteria for the designation (Denomination criteria) of natural stone 
from raw material to finished products. 
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 editioncited applies. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. 
DRS 515, Natural stone — Terminology 
DRS 527, Natural stone test methods — Petrographic examination 
3 Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given inDRS 515andDRS 527 apply. 
4 Denomination of natural stone 
4.1 General 
Natural stones will receive a description which shall include the following parts: 
4.1.1 Name of the natural stone (traditional name) 
AThe name of the natural stone under which it is marketed corresponds to a particular type of rock and with a 
specific place of origin. Geographical names not related with the actual place of origin of the stone and 
company names shall be avoided. 
NOTE Frequently a place of origin of a specific stone does extend beyond purely administrative borderlines. A traditional 
name may include the designation of a variety name, which identifies a specific selection within a given type of rock and a 
given place of origin (e.g: the bench or level in the quarry, or some typical colour and character). paragraph. 
4.1.2 Petrological family 
Scientific name of the petrological family of the rock according to DRS 515. If the rock is not included in the 
classifications of DRS 515  an appropriate scientific term shall be employed.  
©RSB 2023- All rights reserved                  2 
 4.1.3 Typical colour 
The range of colour that a stone variety shows. A visual colour appearance of one or more dry and clean bulk 
samples observed under shadow natural light. It is noted that surface finish and other features affect the visual 
colour impression of the stone. 
4.1.4 Place of origin 
The location of the area or quarry shall be as precise as possible, including at least, the city or village or 
community, province and country, separated by a comma. 
5 Other information 
5.1 General 
If available or if agreed between buyer and seller, the following data may also be provided: 
5.1.1 Process finish 
For prepared products, the surface finish using an adequate term from DRS 517. 
5.1.2 Natural features 
Natural features that may affect the appearance of the stone, according to DRS 517, i.e.: veins, inclusions, 
clots, xenoliths, texture, structures, cracks etc. 
5.1.3 Petrographic name 
Scientific name of the rock according to DRS 515, and obtained by petrographic examination according to 
DRS 527. 
5.1.4 Geological age 
The age of the stone according to DRS 515 . It shall be given whenever possible. If available, further 
geological data may be provided. DRS 528: 2023 
 
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