UNBS Strengthens Controls on Certificates of Conformity and Updates Compulsory Standards

PCA NewslettersDecember 10, 2025

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has unveiled two major regulatory measures to reinforce product integrity and compliance. A new directive enforces tighter controls on amendments to certificates of conformity (CoCs), while Legal Notice No. 14 of 2025 establishes 57 compulsory standards effective January 1, 2026. Together, these actions strengthen Uganda’s quality assurance framework and safeguard consumer safety.

Stricter rules on CoC

In a recent communication, UNBS emphasized that certain critical elements of the CoC are not subject to amendment under any circumstances. These include:

Certificate number and issuance date
Product name
Product model or batches
Product description
Applicable product standards
Quantities (weights and number of packages)

Effective immediately, all proposed changes to CoCs must be formally communicated to and approved by UNBS before implementation. Any unauthorized changes to these elements will be classified as non-compliance and may result in regulatory and/or contractual penalties.

Stakeholders are therefore urged to thoroughly review all draft CoC details and ensure that any necessary corrections are made before the final certificate is issued. This directive forms part of UNBS’ broader efforts to uphold product integrity and ensure compliance with national standards.

Updated schedule of compulsory standards

Complementing the CoC directive, UNBS has also published a revised Schedule of Compulsory Ugandan Standards, following the publication of Legal Notice No. 14 of 2025. Issued on June 30, 2025, and effective January 1, 2026, the updated schedule introduces 57 changes, comprising 30 newly established standards and 27 amendments to existing ones.

All goods covered under these newly declared standards will be subject to mandatory inspection under the pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) program. This program ensures that products imported into Uganda meet the required standards before shipment, thereby safeguarding public health, safety and the environment.

UNBS emphasized that the newly regulated products will now join the existing list of items requiring mandatory PVoC inspection before entry into the country. Importers and exporters are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the updated schedule to ensure compliance and avoid delays or penalties.

Access our detailed list of affected standards and products.

For further information, stakeholders are encouraged to contact our liaison office:

SGS Uganda Limited
1st Floor Block B, Plot 1, Kololo Hill Drive
P.O. Box 63
Kampala – Uganda
t: +256 392 739 966

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

This article can also be found in our PCA Newsletter (Q4/2025), which keeps you up to date with developments in technical barriers to trade and product conformity assessment.