East African Community Issues Draft Standards for Packaging

In October 2025, the East African Community (EAC)—comprising Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda—submitted four draft standards to the World Trade Organization that could affect food packaging and ingredient specifications across the region. Stakeholders are invited to provide comments by 30 November 2025.

Key Draft Standards:

• DEAS 930:2025 – Paper and Board Food Contact Packaging Material — Specification. Establishes requirements, sampling procedures, and test methods for paper and board packaging intended for food contact.

• DEAS 880:2025 – Waxed Paper for Packaging of Confectionery — Specification. Specifies standards, sampling, and testing methods for waxed paper used in confectionery packaging.

• DEAS 882:2025 – Packaging — Flexible Carrier Bags — Specification. Defines requirements for flexible carrier bags made of paper or other non-thermoplastic materials.

  
  

These proposed standards aim to harmonise packaging and ingredient specifications across EAC member states, align with international benchmarks, and enhance food safety throughout the region.