DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 773 
Second  Edition 
2022 -mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 733: 2022 
© UNBS 2022   
  
Plastic carrier bags and flat bags — Specification  
 DUS 773: 2022  
ii © UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for i ts correct application  
© UNBS  2022 
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written  
permission from UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: +256 41 4 333 2 50/1/2/3  
Fax: +256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  DUS 773:2022  
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
4.1 Defects  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  2 
4.2 Ease of opening  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 2 
4.3 Odour  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  2 
4.4 Construction and materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4.5 Film thickness  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  3 
5 Printing requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
5.1 Types of ink  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  3 
5.2 Ink adhesion  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  3 
5.2.1  Ink adhesion test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 3 
5.2.2  Permitted coverage of printing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  3 
6 Test methods  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
6.1 Film thickness  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  3 
6.2 Type of ink (nitrocellulose spo t test)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 3 
6.2.1  Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  3 
6.2.2  Preparation of test solution  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  4 
6.2.3  Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
6.3 Permitted coverage of printing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  4 
6.3.1  Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
6.3.2  Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
6.3.3  Calculation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  4 
7 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
8 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  5 
9 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  5 
10 Disposal for non -conformity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  5 
Annex  A (normative)  Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
A.1 Definition  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  6 
A.2 Scale of sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 6 
A.3 Number of tests  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 6 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
 
. DUS 773: 2022  
iv © UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Mini stry of Trade , Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda , as amended .  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact poi nt for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT  Agreement  of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Comm ittee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of key stakeholders 
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committ ee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
The committee respo nsible for this document is Technical Committee UNBS /TC303 , Plastics  and Related 
Products  
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition ( US 773:2007 ), which has been technically revised .  DUS 773:2022  
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  v 
 Introduction  
The use of plastic materials has grown si gnificantly in modern times. One major use of plastic materials is for 
shopping and packaging of food materials among others. However, plastic carrier bags and flat bags pose 
numerous environmental, aesthetic and public health concerns. These include block age of drainage systems, 
dangers to the life of animals when ingeste d, nuisance to environment, interference with natural infiltr ation of 
water in the ground and release of toxic gases when burnt at lower temperatures. It was therefore, found 
necessary to have a standard, spec ifying requirements for plastic carrier bags  and flat bags  for the purpose of 
reducing and/or eliminating environmental and public health concerns.  
This Draft Uganda Standard specifies the minimum requirement of plastic carrier bags  and flat bags  which will 
be manufactured, imported and/or distributed in the country. It specifies requirements for the thickness for 
purpose of enhancing re -usability and re -cycle ability  in line with the available technology.  
The type of ink, which can b e used for printing on the plastic material, has also been prescribed for the same 
purpose.  
In reporting the results of a test made in accordance with this standard, if the final value observed or 
calculated is to be rounded off, unless otherwise explaine d, it shall be in accordance with EAS 124:2000  
 DRAFT  UGANDA STANDARD  DUS 773: 2022  
 
© UNBS  2022  – All rights reserved  1 
 Plastic carrier bags and flat bags — Specification  
1 Scope   
1.1 This Draft Uganda Standard specifies requirements , sampling and test methods for plastic carrier bags 
and flat bags that are made from thermopl astic materials.  
1.2 This standard does not cover primary  packaging such as barrier bags.  
2 Normative references   
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements of this do cument. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ASTM D 3826 , Standard practice for determining degradation end point in degradable polye thylene and 
polypropylene, using a tensile test  
ASTM D 5208 , Standard practice for operating fluorescent ultraviolet (UV) and condensation apparatus for 
exposure of photo gradable plastics  
EAS 124, Rounding off numerical values  
ISO 4593, Plastics — Film an d sheeting — Determination of average thickness of a sample, and average 
thickness and yield of a roll, by gravimetric techniques (gravimetric thickness)  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.   
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
3.1  
barrier bag  
thin or flimsy bag, used to separate incompatible products at the f inal point of sale, for health, hygiene or 
transport purposes  
3.2  
Plastic carrier bag  
bag made of plastic, constructed with handles, and with or without gussets  which is designed for the general 
purpose of carryin g goods.  
3.3  
commercial distribution  
 practice  of making plastic bags directly or indirectly available for package carrying of goods   
2 © UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 3.4  
degradable plastic  
plastic film containing a controlled percentage of an appropriate toxic, non -tinting additive, which will enable 
the plastic film to total ly degrade when exposed to aerobic or anaerobic conditions, including when disposed 
in a landfill or other regulated dumping area  
3.5  
flat bag  
bag constructed without handles and with or without gussets  
3.6 
 plastic film  
continuous, thin, non -woven mem branous skin, or layer of flexible material, made of plastic materials  
3.7  
primary packaging  
packaging that is in direct contact with the product, and the purpose of which is to contain the product during 
transport, handling, to the point of distribution  or use  
3.8 
 trade  
sale of plastic bags to any person including, but not limited to, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of 
goods.  
3.9 
bags  
refers to both plastic carrier bags and flat bags  
4 Requirements  
4.1 Defects  
The bags shall be free from d efects such as gels, streaks, pinholes, and particles of foreign matter, 
undispersed  raw materials, cuts and tears that would impair the performance of the bags.  
4.2 Ease of opening  
The bags shall be capable of being opened readily by hand.  
4.3 Odour  
The bags shall be free of any objectionable odour  
4.4 Construction and materials  
4.4.1 The bags, offered for trade or commercial distribution  shall be made from plastic film consisting of 
polyethylene or polypropylene. Biodegradable materials may also be us ed in the construction .  
4.4.2 When  degradable plastic materials are used to manufacture of the  bags, they shall totally be 
degraded within a period of 12 months, when exposed to aerobic or anaerobic conditions, including when 
disposed in landfill or regul ated dumping area, as tested against ASTM D 3826 and ASTM D 5208.  DUS 773: 2022  
© UNBS 2022  – All rights reserved  3 
 4.5 Film thickness  
When the film thickness of a plastic carrier bag is measured in accordance with 6.1, the thickness of general 
purpose carrier bags/shopping bags shall not be less than 3 0 µm (0.03 mm). The tolerance on a nominal 
thickness shall be ± 10 %.  
This requirement is applicable to plastic carrier bags only.  
5 Printing requirements  
5.1 Types of ink  
5.1.1  Ink used for printing on bags  shall be classified as one of the following ty pes:  
a) type A: Ink that is a single resin based system, based on a co -solvent polyamide,  
b) type B: Ink that does not comply with the requirements for type A  
5.1.2  When  compliance with the requirements for type A ink (see 5.1.1) is claimed, the claimant shall  supply 
a declaration of conformity with the requirements for type A with each consignment or batch of bags.  
5.1.3  When  dried ink is tested in  accordance with 6.2, type A ink shall not exhibit any change of colour   
5.2 Ink adhesion  
In case of printed bag s the print shall remain on the ba g when tested as prescribed in 5.2.1 . 
5.2.1  Ink adhesion test  
Method: Cut a piece of 25 mm wide pressure sensitive tape (for example, adhesion tape) about 75 mm long 
from the roll. Press the tape on the bag using firm fin ger pressure. Within 30 sec. of application, remove the 
tape by pulling. Examine for removal.  
5.2.2 Permitted coverage of printing  
5.2.2.1 For ink of type A, the mass percentage of dried solid printed ink, relative to the mass of an 
unprinted ba g shall n ot exceed 2.5 %  when tested in accordance with 6.3  
5.2.2.2 For ink of type B, the mass percentage of dried solids of printed ink, relative to the mass of 
unprinted bag, shall not exceed 1.125%  when t ested in accordance with 6.3  
6 Test methods  
6.1 Film thi ckness  
Measure the thickness of the plastic film using the method described in ISO 4593 , and check the re sults for 
compliance with 4.6.  
6.2 Type of ink (nitrocellulose spot test)  
6.2.1  Principle  
A solution of diphenylamine in concentrated sulphuric  acid is used to indicate the presence of Nitrocellulose. 
The reagent causes an almost instantaneous formation of a dark blue colour on contact with nitrocellulose.   
4 © UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 CAUTION ! The substances used for this test are extremely dangerous. Gloves and safety glasses s hould be 
used throughout the preparation and use of this solution.  
6.2.2  Preparation of test solution  
6.2.2.1  Carefully mix together the following ingredients in a conical flask whilst cooling the flask under 
running water:  
a) 0.5 g diphenylamine (C 12H11N); 
b) 10.0 g distilled water and  
c) 30.0 g concentrated sulphuric  acid (9 8 %) 
CAUTION ! Add the acid slowly to the water.  
6.2.2.2  Carefully  add a further 60.0g of concentrated sulphuric  acid, and mix gently.  
6.2.2.3  Transfer  the contents of the flask to a dark g lass bottle, and label and date the bottle.  
NOTE : The solution should have a shelf life of approximately one month. The solution will initially be yellow/orange colour. 
It should be discarded and prepared afresh if it shows any signs of discolouration (wh ich would probably indicate a 
reaction with light, oxidation or contamination).  
6.2.3  Procedure  
6.2.3.1  Place  one drop of the test solution on a sample of the dried ink to be tested.  
6.2.3.2  Check  after 30 seconds for any colour change,  
NOTE : If the col our changes to dark blue, it indicates the presence of nitrocellulose.  
6.3 Permitted coverage of printing  
6.3.1  Apparatus  
Balance : the device to be used to determine the mass shall have an accuracy of 0.001g  
6.3.2  Procedure  
6.3.2.1  Under standard laborat ory conditions, weigh the bag to an accuracy of 0.001g and record it as m1 
6.3.2.2  After printing and drying the same bag, weigh and obtain the mass as  m2 
6.3.3  Calculation  
Calculate and obtain the p ermitt ed coverage of printing as a percentage of the weight of the bag before 
printing using the formula  
 
Where;  
m1 mass of the bag before printing  
m2 Mass of the bag after printing and drying  DUS 773: 2022  
© UNBS 2022  – All rights reserved  5 
 7 Packagin g 
Bags shall be packaged  in a sealed primary  packet. The primary packet s may in turn be packed in  a 
secondary  pack age.  
8 Labelling  
The following information shall be provided in print  on each bag or primary packet  or an inse rt placed in the 
primary packet. All labelling shall  be in English , other languages are optional.  
a) name of the product  as, “plastic carrier bag o r flat bag” : 
b) name and physical address of manufacturer:  
c) country of origin : 
d) dimensions : 
e) registered trademark, if any:  
f) number of bags in a packet:  
g) batch number or batch code : 
h) film thick ness specification of each bag and;  
i) code number for resin identification purpose  
9 Sampling  
Representative samples of the product for ascertaining conformity to the requirements of this Uganda 
standard shall be drawn as prescribed in Annex A.  
10 Disposal for non -conformity  
Disposal of all non -conforming bags  shall be in accordance with relevant regulations stipulated by National 
Management Environment Authority (NEMA).   
6 © UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Sampling  
A.1 Definition  
Lot —Bags  of the same dimension s and shape, in any consignment, manufactured by one  company  under the 
same conditions of manufacture and grouped together  
A.2 Scale of sampling  
A.2.1  Samples shall be tested from each lot separately for ascertaining th e conformity of the bags  to the 
requirement of this Standard  
A.2.2  The number of packets to be selected from the lot shall be in accordance with c olumn 1 and column 2 
of Table A1. 
Table A1 — Scale of sampling  
No. of packets in 
lot 
(1) No. of packets to be 
selected  
(2) No. of bags to be 
selected  
(3) Acceptance 
number  
(4) 
Up to 35  4 32 3 
36 to 150  6 48 5 
151 to 500  10 80 7 
500 and above  16 128 10 
 
A.2.3  From each  packet selected, eight bags  shall be drawn at random, so as to  get the total number of  
bags from  the lot as shown in column 3 of Table A.1.  
A.2.4  When the packets are contained in master packs, the number of master packs to be sleeted shall be 
half the number given in column 2 of Table A.1. Two packets shall be drawn from each master pack selected.  
A.2.5  Packets and bags  shall be selected at random. To ensure randomness of selection, random number 
tables shall be used.  
A.3 Number of tests  
All bags selected as in A.2.3 shall be inspec ted for the requirements of this standard.  DUS 773: 2022  
© UNBS 2022  – All rights reserved  7 
 Bibliography  
[1] SLS 607: 1983, Specification for high density polyethylene shopping bags, prepared by Sri Lanka  
Standards Institute    
[2] SLS 835: 1988, Specification for polyethylene garbage bags, prepared by Sri Lanka Standards 
Institute  
[3] South Afr ica Standard (Government Gazette No. 24734 of 2003), Specification for plastic carrier bags 
and flat bags, published by South Africa Bureau of Standards (SABS)  
[4] US 773:2007, Plastic carrier bags and flat bags — Specification  
 DUS 773: 20 22 
© UNBS  2022  – All rights reserved  9 
 Certification marking  
Prod ucts that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder.  This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product i s an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually  checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 DUS 773: 2022    
 
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Price based on nn pages  
© UNBS 2022 – All rights reserved