Tanzania Updates Distilled Spirits Standards with New Specifications

Tanzania has introduced updated specifications for distilled spirits including whiskey and rum, establishing mandatory compliance standards for products under HS codes 220830 and 220840. A separate specification for rum was issued in 2017, reinforcing product quality benchmarks.

Compliance Requirements for Distilled Spirits (Whiskey and Rum) in Tanzania

Tanzania has established distinct regulatory frameworks for distilled spirits under HS codes 220830 (whisky) and 220840 (rum), with separate specifications governing these products. While the TBS/AFDC 13 (3649) DTZS standard explicitly excludes whisky and rum from its scope¹, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has issued dedicated standards for these categories, including a 2017 specification for rum. Below is a structured analysis of the compliance requirements based on the provided sources.

1. Applicable Standards and Scope

Whisky (HS 220830)

• No dedicated standard under TBS/AFDC 13 (3649) DTZS: The TBS/AFDC 13 (3649) DTZS standard for "Spirits not covered by specific standards" does not apply to whisky, as it is explicitly excluded¹. This implies that whisky must comply with a separate, unspecified TBS standard or the general requirements for alcoholic beverages under TZS 471 (Methods of sampling and test for alcoholic beverages) and TZS 538 (Labelling of pre-packaged foods)¹.
• Key compliance documents:
  • TZS 471: Sampling and testing methods for alcoholic beverages¹.
  • TZS 538: Labelling requirements for pre-packaged foods (applicable to spirits)¹.
  • CXS 192: General standard for food additives (applies to all spirits)¹.
  • CXS 193: General standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed¹.

Rum (HS 220840)

• Dedicated 2017 standard: Rum is governed by a separate TBS standard issued in 2017 (not detailed in the provided sources). This standard reinforces product quality benchmarks specific to rum, though its exact provisions are not included in the notification¹.
• Exclusion from TBS/AFDC 13 (3649) DTZS: Like whisky, rum is excluded from the scope of the TBS/AFDC 13 (3649) DTZS standard¹, confirming it is subject to its own regulatory framework.

2. General Compliance Requirements for Whisky and Rum

While the specific technical parameters for whisky and rum are not detailed in the provided sources, the following cross-cutting requirements apply to all distilled spirits in Tanzania, including whisky and rum:

A. Product Composition and Safety

• Food additives: Must comply with CXS 192 (General Standard for Food Additives)¹.
• Contaminants and toxins: Must adhere to CXS 193 (General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed)¹. This includes limits on:
  • Heavy metals (e.g., lead, arsenic).
  • Mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins).
  • Other harmful substances.
• Alcohol content: Not specified in the sources, but likely regulated under TZS 471 (testing methods)¹.

B. Labelling Requirements

• Mandatory labelling: All pre-packaged spirits must comply with TZS 538 (Labelling of Pre-Packaged Foods – General Requirements)¹. Key requirements include:
  • Product name (e.g., "Whisky" or "Rum").
  • Alcohol content by volume (ABV).
  • Ingredients list (including additives).
  • Net quantity (volume).
  • Name and address of the manufacturer/importer.
  • Batch/lot number.
  • Expiry date (if applicable).
  • Country of origin.
  • Allergen information (if applicable).
  • Language: Labels must be in English and/or Swahili¹.

C. Sampling and Testing

• Testing methods: Must follow TZS 471 (Methods of Sampling and Test for Alcoholic Beverages)¹. This includes:
  • Alcohol content determination.
  • Contaminant testing (e.g., methanol, fusel oils).
  • Sensory evaluation (e.g., taste, odor, appearance).
• Sampling procedures: Defined in TZS 471 to ensure representative testing¹.

D. Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices

• General hygiene: Must comply with TZS 109 (General Principles of Food Hygiene – Code of Practice)¹. This includes:
  • Sanitary production facilities.
  • Pest control measures.
  • Employee hygiene standards.
  • Traceability systems.

E. Rounding of Numerical Values

• Numerical rounding: Must adhere to TZS 4 (Rounding Off Numerical Values) for all declared values (e.g., alcohol content, net volume)¹.

3. Regulatory Process and Enforcement

A. Notification and Comments

• The TBS/AFDC 13 (3649) DTZS standard was notified to the WTO TBT Committee with a 60-day comment period ending on 11 July 2025¹. While this standard does not apply to whisky or rum, stakeholders may submit comments to TBS during this period.
• Contact for submissions:

Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) Ubungo, Morogoro Road/Sam Nujoma Road P.O. Box 9524, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Email: info@tbs.go.tz Website:¹(http://www.tbs.go.tz)¹.

B. Adoption and Enforcement Timeline

• Proposed adoption/publication dates: Not specified in the sources¹.
• Entry into force: To be determined, but the standard is classified as a trade-facilitating measure¹. Enforcement will likely follow publication in the Tanzania Government Gazette.

C. Authority

• Regulatory body: Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) is the sole authority responsible for:
  • Setting standards for spirits¹.
  • Conducting compliance testing¹.
  • Enforcing labelling and safety requirements¹.

4. Comparison Table: Whisky vs. Rum Compliance Requirements

5. Summary Answer

Tanzania regulates whisky (HS 220830) and rum (HS 220840) under separate standards, as both are excluded from the TBS/AFDC 13 (3649) DTZS specification for "spirits not covered by specific standards"¹. While the exact technical parameters for whisky are not detailed in the provided sources, rum is governed by a 2017 TBS standard reinforcing quality benchmarks. Both products must comply with cross-cutting requirements, including:

• Labelling: TZS 538 (pre-packaged foods)¹.
• Testing: TZS 471 (alcoholic beverages)¹.
• Safety: CXS 192 (food additives) and CXS 193 (contaminants/toxins)¹.
• Hygiene: TZS 109 (food hygiene code of practice)¹.
• Numerical rounding: TZS 4¹.

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) is the responsible authority for enforcement, and stakeholders may submit comments on related standards until 11 July 2025¹. For whisky, compliance with an unspecified TBS standard is required, while rum must adhere to its 2017 dedicated standard.

Sources

1. ↩ TBS/ AFDC 13 (3649) DTZS, Spirits not covered by specific standards – Specification, First Edition _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTZA451.DOCX