New Developments in Uganda’s PVoC Program

Products with applicable compulsory standards must undergo a mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) inspection before importation into Uganda. SGS has been providing product conformity assessment (PCA) services in Uganda through its PVoC program for the past 12 years.

New Developments

New Schedule of Compulsory Ugandan Standards

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has published an updated version of The Schedule of Compulsory Uganda Standards, dated June 30, 2021, which came into effect in April 2022. This schedule lists all compulsory Ugandan standards, thereby defining products that are regulated by UNBS and which therefore require mandatory PVoC inspection.

Among Uganda’s compulsory standards are general standards covering unspecific product categories. These must be implemented alongside applicable product-specific Ugandan standards. If no product-specific compulsory Ugandan standard exists for a product, an applicable international standard will be used in combination with a general product category Ugandan standard to assess conformity.

Voluntary PVoC inspection is also accepted under this program.

Acceptable Test Reports for Regulated Products

Laboratory testing is required to ensure products meet the safety and quality requirements in applicable standards. All products regulated under the Uganda PVoC program must be tested by a laboratory that is accredited to or operating under a recognized quality management system based on ISO/IEC 17025. Only test reports issued by laboratories that conform to these requirements will be accepted.

Note: ‘The accredited laboratory should have under its scope (of accreditation) the products (or parameters) to be tested.’

Mandatory PVoC Inspection for Fishing Gear

In March 2022, UNBS and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) issued a joint notification relating to the importation of specific fishing gear.

It is now mandatory for specific fishing gear to undergo PVoC inspection per the requirements of ‘The Fishing Rules, 2012 Statutory Instruments 2010 No.33, Part II – Prohibited Nets’, Clauses 3,4,6,7, and 19. This regulation specifies the types of fishing net and fishing hook that can be imported into Uganda.

Learn more about Uganda – Pre-Export Verification of Conformity.

This article can also be found in our PCA Newsletter (Q2/2022) – keeping you up to date with developments in technical barriers to trade and product conformity assessment.

For further information please contact:

TFS Team
Trade Facilitation Services
m: +44 (0)151 350 6666