Malawi Act or statute

Malawi legislation

Standardization of Soap Act, 1957

compliancemanufacturingoffences and penaltiesproduct composition complianceproduct definitionproduct standardssoap manufacturingstandardization

Jurisdiction: Malawi
Structure: 6 provisions
Citation: Act 18 of 1957
Official identity: Year 1957
Dates: Enacted 1957 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

More statute details

Official identity: Year 1957
Dates: Enacted 1957 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

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Purpose and legislative effect

“This section gives the Act’s short title: the Standardization of Soap Act.”

This section gives the Act’s short title: the Standardization of Soap Act. This provision defines “soap” for the Act. Soap products must meet minimum fatty-acid and maximum caustic-alkali content requirements, and must be free from harmful ingredients. A person may not manufacture for sale soap that does not comply with section 3 when packed, unless the Minister permits it. The Minister may authorize people to enter soap-manufacturing premises and take soap samples, and the occupier, controller, owner, and workers there must allow that entry and exercise of powers.

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Enacted 1957 · Source version 31 Dec 2014. The date shown identifies this source expression and should not be treated as proof that no later change exists.
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Short title

This section gives the Act’s short title: the Standardization of Soap Act.

Section 1

Interpretation

This provision defines “soap” for the Act.

Section 2

Restrictions on manufacture

A person may not manufacture for sale soap that does not comply with section 3 when packed, unless the Minister permits it.

Section 4

Inspection

The Minister may authorize people to enter soap-manufacturing premises and take soap samples, and the occupier, controller, owner, and workers there must allow that entry and exercise of powers.

Section 5

Offences and penalties

People guilty of an offence under the Act can face a fine or imprisonment, with higher penalties for repeat offences; soap involved in a section 4 offence may be forfeited and later disposed of by the Minister.

Section 6

Source and current-law status

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Source record from malawilii.org · Enacted 1957 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

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Showing 6 of 6 provisions

Offence 3Short titleInterpretationProvision

§ 1Short titleShort title

This section gives the Act’s short title: the Standardization of Soap Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Standardization of Soap Act.

Section 1Verify source

§ 2InterpretationInterpretation

This provision defines “soap” for the Act.

2. Interpretation In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “soap” means the product which results from the process of the saponification of fats and oils— (a) with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide; (b) by the neutralization of fatty acids with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide or their carbonates or bicarbonates; or (c) by neutralization of fatty acids with ammonia or triethanolamine.

Section 2Verify source

§ 3Provisions relating to soapProvision

Soap products must meet minimum fatty-acid and maximum caustic-alkali content requirements, and must be free from harmful ingredients.

3. Provisions relating to soap (1) Soap in the form of bars, tablets, flakes or chips for household, laundry or toilet purposes shall contain not less than forty-five per cent of fatty acids, of which not more than one-third may be replaced by resin acids, shall not contain more than one-quarter of one per cent of free caustic alkali (calculated for this purpose as sodium hydroxide), and shall be free from any harmful ingredients. (2) Liquid soap shall contain not less than fifteen per cent of fatty acids, of which not more than one-quarter may be replaced by resin acids, shall contain not more than one-twentieth of one per centum of free caustic alkali (calculated for this purpose as sodium hydroxide), and shall be free from any harmful ingredients. (3) Soft soap shall contain not less than thirty-five per cent of fatty acids, of which not more than one-third may be replaced by resin acids, and shall contain not more than three-quarters of one per cent of free caustic alkali (calculated for this purpose as sodium hydroxide).

Section 3Verify source

§ 4Restrictions on manufactureOffence

A person may not manufacture for sale soap that does not comply with section 3 when packed, unless the Minister permits it.

4. Restrictions on manufacture (1) Except with the permission of the Minister, no person shall manufacture for sale any soap the composition of which, at the time when the soap is packed, does not comply with section 3 (1), (2) or (3) as the case may be. (2) Any person who manufactures soap in contravention of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

Section 4Verify source

§ 5InspectionOffence

The Minister may authorize people to enter soap-manufacturing premises and take soap samples, and the occupier, controller, owner, and workers there must allow that entry and exercise of powers.

5. Inspection (1) Any person generally or specially authorized thereto by the Minister may at any time enter upon premises where soap is manufactured and take samples of soap for examination or analysis. (2) Any person who owns, occupies or is in control of any premises where soap is manufactured and every person employed by him on such premises shall, at all times, permit any person authorized in terms of subsection (1) to enter such premises in the course of his duties and to exercise the powers conferred by that subsection. (3) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence.

Section 5Verify source

§ 6Offences and penaltiesOffence

6. Offences and penalties (1) Any person who is guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable— (a) for a first offence, to a fine of K200 or, in default of payment, to imprisonment for six months; (b) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of K400 or to imprisonment for twelve months. (2) Where any person is convicted of an offence under section 4 , the court may order that any soap which is the subject matter of such offence shall be forfeited and any soap so forfeited may thereafter be disposed of as the Minister may direct.

Section 6Verify source

Legislative relationships

1 referenced instrument

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N–S

1 instrument

Soap Act
Section 1

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1 version available in this collection

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31 Dec 2014 · currentEnglish

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