Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 18 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 27 July 2026

Health Canada is consulting Canadians on the proposal to allow certain veterinary drugs that contain omeprazole to be sold without a prescription. This consultation provides an opportunity to comment on a proposed change to the “omeprazole or its salts” listing on the veterinary use part of the Prescription Drug List (PDL). The proposal applies only to the veterinary listing. 

Products Covered: Prescription status of medicinal ingredients for veterinary use (ICS: 11.220; HS 3004.90)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 May 2026

The draft Order provides for the approval of criteria for classifying drinking water as natural mineral water. The Criteria define the geological, hydrogeological, physical, chemical, physico-chemical and microbiological requirements that drinking water shall  to comply with in order to be classified as natural mineral water, including underground origin, protection from contamination, microbiological safety, stability of composition and temperature within natural variations, and specific natural characteristics such as mineral content, trace elements or other constituents. The Criteria also establish maximum levels for certain naturally occurring constituents that may pose a risk to human health and provide for pharmacological, physiological and clinical studies where necessary.

Products Covered: Natural mineral water; Waters, incl. natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar, other sweetening matter or flavoured; ice and snow (HS code(s): 2201)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 13 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 12 July 2026

This Draft African Standard specifies the requirements, sampling and test methods for lipstick.

Products Covered: Lip make-up preparations (HS code(s): 330410); Cosmetics. Toiletries (ICS code(s): 71.100.70); Lip stick

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 13 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 12 July 2026

This Draft African Standard specifies the requirements, sampling and test methods for lip shine (lip gloss) based on refined vegetable or mineral oils. This standard does not cover lip shine (gloss) for which therapeutic claims are made.  This standard does not apply to lip sticks and lip balms.

Products Covered: Lip make-up preparations (HS code(s): 330410); Cosmetics. Toiletries (ICS code(s): 71.100.70); Lip shine

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 13 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 12 July 2026

This Draft African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for lip balm (lip salve) which are petroleum or vegetable oil based. This standard does not cover lip balm for which therapeutic claims are made, lipsticks, lip gloss and emulsion types.

Products Covered: Lip make-up preparations (HS code(s): 330410); Cosmetics. Toiletries (ICS code(s): 71.100.70); Lip balm (Lip salve)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 13 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 12 July 2026

This African Standard gives recommendations for good practice in initial painting and maintenance painting of buildings internally and externally, e.g. dwellings, offices, light industrial buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels and public buildings generally, in which decoration is a significant and often the major factor. The code takes into account the need to protect many building materials against the weather or other forms of attack normally encountered.

Products Covered: TANNING OR DYEING EXTRACTS; TANNINS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES; DYES, PIGMENTS AND OTHER COLOURING MATTER; PAINTS AND VARNISHES; PUTTY AND OTHER MASTICS; INKS (HS code(s): 32); Paints and varnishes (ICS code(s): 87.040), Paints 

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 13 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 12 July 2026

This Draft African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for water based textured paint suitable for exterior and interior use on concrete surfaces, boards, primed wood, primed metal to give a protective and decorative coating. 

Products Covered: Paints and varnishes, incl. enamels and lacquers, based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium (HS code(s): 320910); Paints and varnishes (ICS code(s): 87.040); Water based textured paint

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 13 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 12 July 2026

This Draft African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for semi-gloss (egg-shell) solvent borne paint for interior and exterior use. This standard does not apply to automotive, road marking and industrial applications.

Products Covered: Paints and varnishes, incl. enamels and lacquers, based on polyesters, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium; solutions based on polyesters in volatile organic solvents, containing > 50% solvent by weight (HS code(s): 320810); Paints and varnishes (ICS code(s): 87.040); Semi-gloss (egg-shell) solvent borne paint

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 06 July 2026

This Draft East African Standard specifies the requirements, and test methods for punch pockets (plastic document sleeves) intended for filing and storage of paper documents. This Draft East African Standard does not cover non‑clear or matte plastic document sleeves. 

Products Covered: Office or school supplies, of plastics, n.e.s. (HS code(s): 392610); Other rubber and plastics products (ICS code(s): 83.140.99); Punch pocket

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 May 2026 | Final date for Comment: 06 July 2026

This Draft East African Standard specifies the requirements, and test methods for punch pockets (plastic document sleeves) intended for filing and storage of paper documents. This Draft East African Standard does not cover non‑clear or matte plastic document sleeves. 

Products Covered: Office or school supplies, of plastics, n.e.s. (HS code(s): 392610); Other rubber and plastics products (ICS code(s): 83.140.99); Punch pocket

Regulation Type: Regular notification