
Dear CTFA member
Please find this week’s communique for information and consideration.
1,4-dioxane in Cosmetic Products
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - November 2023 Resolution
1,4-dioxane is an impurity of some cosmetic products, which may be detectable at trace, unintentional levels. European Commission (EC) Regulation number 1223/2009 on cosmetic products lists the substance in Annex II that indicates that it is prohibited in cosmetic products. The EC Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety conducted an independent risk assessment in 2015 and found that levels below 10 ppm are safe (trace amounts) for consumers. The substance is generally a byproduct during the manufacture of detergents; foaming agents; emulsifiers; or solvents, for example.
It is therefore important to be able to detect and quantify the substance in ingredients and products.
The TC217 plenary meeting that CTFA attended approved the recommendation of the Work Group to develop a preliminary work item on a test method on the detection and quantification of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic products. Further information will be provided to members on the development of the methods as necessary.
Trading under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
The Application Form for a Certificate of Origin for AfCFTA that includes links for further information is available on request.
The World Bank states that “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a major opportunity for African countries to bring 30 million people out of extreme poverty and to raise the incomes of 68 million others who live on less than $5.50 per day. With the implementation of AfCFTA, trade facilitation measures that cut red tape and simplify customs procedures would drive $292 billion of the $450 billion in potential income gains. Implementing AfCFTA would help usher in the kinds of deep reforms necessary to enhance long-term growth in African countries. The AfCFTA will create the largest free trade area in the world measured by the number of countries participating. The pact connects 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product valued at US$3.4 trillion. It has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty, but achieving its full potential will depend on putting in place significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated the first trade shipments under the AfCFTA, on 31 January 2024.
Importers and Exporters
South African Revenue Service Prohibited and Restricted List
SARS maintains a regularly updated list of items that are prohibited or otherwise restricted by other organs of state that SARS looks out for to hand inspections over to relevant authorities. For example, substances regulated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will appear on the list: https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/prohibited-restricted-and-counterfeit-goods/.
Importers
South African Revenue Service Customs Warehouse List
SARS maintains a regularly updated list of items in SARS warehouses that cannot be released for various reasons – missing stock can be searched for here: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/Ops/Tables/SC-CW-01-02-A20-Customs-Weekly-List-of-Unentered-Goods-External-Table.pdf.
Manual Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions According to the Regulations
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has released training dates for the manual reporting of greenhouse gas emissions via the reporting tool.
Should there be any queries or if you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Glen Malherbe – glen@ctfa.co.za