Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 08 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 03 January 2025

Extension of the deadline for the establishment by the authorized bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union Member States of a temporary procedure for the circulation of medicines until December 31, 2027 to ensure the marketing authorization of medicines in an context of established international relations when interacting with third countries, in order to protect the life and health of the population of the Member States, ensure the drug safety and sustainability of supply of medicines within the Eurasian Economic Union 

Products Covered: HS Code(s): 3004 (Medicinal products)

Regulation Type: Revision to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 08 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 09 March 2025

The Ministry of Environment announced the draft of "General Information on the Draft of the Restrictions on the Import of Detergents Containing Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Polyethylene Glycol Ether" on December 3, 2024.Nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether (NPEO) are toxic chemical substances listed in the announced "Guidelines on Regulated Toxic Chemical Substances and the Management of Their Handling." They are not easily decomposed and have bioconcentration properties. Alongside their detrimental effects on rivers and marine ecosystems, these chemicals can negatively impact human health after being ingested through the food chain.Highlights of the Announcement are as follows:1. Definitions of the Restrictions on the Import of Detergents Containing Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Polyethylene Glycol Ether (Paragraph 1 of the draft announcement)2. The Restrictions on the Import of Detergents Containing Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Polyethylene Glycol Ether will be implemented in two phases based on concentration. (Paragraph 2 of the draft announcement)3. Exceptions to the exclusion of applicable provisions. (Paragraph 3 of the draft announcement)     

Products Covered: Organic chemicals (HS code(s): 29); soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, ‘dental waxes’ and dental preparations with a basis of plaster (HS code(s): 34); plastics and articles thereof (HS code(s): 39); Environment. Health protection. Safety (ICS code(s): 13); Manufacturing engineering (ICS code(s): 25); Chemical technology (ICS code(s): 71)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 08 March 2025

This Draft East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF) fluid for use in automatic gear boxes and automotive power steering. It is applicable to Automotive-on-Road vehicles.

Products Covered: - Containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals: (HS code(s): 34031); Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (ICS code(s): 75.100)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 08 March 2025

This Draft East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF) fluid for use in automatic gear boxes and automotive power steering. It is applicable to Automotive-on-Road vehicles.

Products Covered: - Containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals: (HS code(s): 34031); Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (ICS code(s): 75.100)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 08 March 2025

This Draft East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF) fluid for use in automatic gear boxes and automotive power steering. It is applicable to Automotive-on-Road vehicles.

Products Covered: - Containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals: (HS code(s): 34031); Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (ICS code(s): 75.100)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 19 February 2025

The proposed amendments would increase the annual charge and replace the current sales-based approach for determining the annual charge payable with a tiered approach, based on the number of pest control product registrations held by each registrant. A lower annual charge would apply for, among other things, registrations held by small businesses; registrations that are semiochemicals, microbial agents, or non-conventional pest control products; and registrations for certain specialized niche products. Registrations held by the departments or agencies of federal and provincial governments, or municipalities, would not be subject to the annual charge.  

Products Covered: Pest control products, including but not limited to HS 3808 (ICS: 65.100).

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2025

Kenya would like to inform WTO Members that the Kenya Standard—Pyrethrum refined extract—Specification, First Edition; notified in G/TBT/N/KEN/1589 as DKS 3004: 2024 Pyrethrum Refined Extracts- Specification, was adopted and published on 29th November 2024 via gazette notice No. 206 dated 29th November 2024 A copy of the document can be obtained via the following link at a basic fee: https://webstore.kebs.org.  

Products Covered: Pesticides and other agrochemicals in general (ICS code(s): 65.100.01)

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 08 March 2025

This Draft East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF) fluid for use in automatic gear boxes and automotive power steering. It is applicable to Automotive-on-Road vehicles.

Products Covered: - Containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals: (HS code(s): 34031); Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (ICS code(s): 75.100)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 08 March 2025

This Draft East African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF) fluid for use in automatic gear boxes and automotive power steering. It is applicable to Automotive-on-Road vehicles.

Products Covered: - Containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals: (HS code(s): 34031); Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (ICS code(s): 75.100)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2025 | Final date for Comment: 08 March 2025

This measure stipulates:the types of plant-derived fertilizers allowed to be exported to China;the requirements and procedures for the registration in China of recommended plant-derived fertilizers manufacturers and the validity period of registration;the imported phytosanitary requirements for plant-derived fertilizers exported to China, including being free of imported plant quarantine pests and other harmful organisms and exotic species that are seriously harmful to agricultural and forestry production and ecological environment, being free of plant seeds, soil, animal carcasses, animal feces, poultry feathers and other animal-derived ingredients and other biosafety risk materials;the requirements for packaging, storage and transportation of plant-derived fertilizers exported to China and requirements for pre-export official inspection and certification;the import inspection procedures for plant-derived fertilizers exported to China and the treatment requirements for non-compliance.

Products Covered: Plant-derived fertilizers

Regulation Type: Regular notification