UNBS strengthens product safety with new regulations

First, stricter rules will now apply to amendments of Certificates of Conformity (CoC). Second, Legal Notice No. 14 of 2025 introduces 57 mandatory standards, effective January 1, 2026. Together, these measures strengthen Uganda’s quality assurance framework and protect consumers.

Stricter rules for Certificates of Conformity (CoC)

UNBS has emphasized that certain details on a CoC can never be changed. These include:

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

All proposed changes must now be formally submitted to and approved by UNBS before implementation. Unauthorized changes may lead to non-compliance penalties. Stakeholders are advised to carefully review all draft CoCs before the final certificate is issued.

New mandatory standards from 2026

In addition, UNBS has published an updated 'Schedule of Compulsory Ugandan Standards'. Legal Notice No. 14 of 2025 introduces 30 new standards and amends 27 existing ones, effective January 1, 2026.

Products covered under these standards must undergo inspection through the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program. This program ensures imported goods meet the required standards, safeguarding public health, safety, and the environment.

Importers and exporters are strongly encouraged to review the updated schedule to ensure compliance and avoid delays or penalties.

📋 Access the full list of new and updated standards and products here.

Source: SGS

Interested in learning more about our PVoC service?

Check out what we can do for you, or fill out the form below and let's get in touch the discuss the possibilities for your organization. We're happy to help!