Manufacturers Urge Uganda National Bureau of Standards to Expedite Certification Processes

Manufacturers have raised serious concerns about the prolonged certification timelines at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), which they argue are hindering market access and impacting business growth. The Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act is due for a comprehensive review to clarify governance and operational roles within the bureau.

According to former MP Richard Gafabusa, the UNBS has strayed from its core mandate of enforcing quality standards, leading to a surge in counterfeit and substandard products. This situation, he noted, erodes investor confidence and impedes industrialization efforts.

Gafabusa, presenting before the Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, highlighted that overlapping responsibilities between the National Standards Council and UNBS management have created conflicts and delayed decision-making. He cited instances where manufacturer certification processes can stretch over three years, causing many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to either abandon their applications or release uncertified products into the market.

To address these issues, Gafabusa proposed strengthening the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) program through electronic certification, AI integration, and better collaboration with customs and border agencies. He also stressed the importance of enhancing regional laboratories and decentralizing testing services.

Peter Kasirye, Chairperson of the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association, added that inconsistent enforcement allows uncertified competitors to undercut compliant businesses. He also called for greater transparency in fee structures and the availability of standards documents in local languages.

Lawmakers on the committee, including Hon. Boniface Okot and Hon. CD Lowila, acknowledged these challenges and urged manufacturers to propose affordable service rates for SMEs. They also emphasized the need to address staffing shortages at UNBS to improve processing times and ensure equitable treatment for both local and foreign investors. Harmonizing standards with regional neighbors was also suggested to boost competitiveness within the East African Community.

Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4513/manufacturers-call-faster-certification