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 DRAFT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ( PATTERN APPROVAL ) RULE S 2020  
Under Sections 19 , 22(d) and 22(h) of the Weights and Measures Act, Cap 103  
 
In EXERCISE of powers conferred upo n the Minister under Sections 19, 22(a ), 22(f) and 43  of the 
Weights and Measures Act, these Rules are made this ….th  day of ……..2020  
 
Title and Commencement.  
 
1. (1) These Rules may be titled  as the Weights and Measure s (Pattern Approval) Rules, 2020 ; 
1 (2) These Rules shall be deemed t o have come into force on the ………………. (Date)  
 
2. In these  Rules, unless the context otherwise requires,   
 
“Act”  means the Weights and Measures Act, Cap 103 ; 
“Inspector ” has same meaning under the Weights and Measures Act ; 
“Director”  means the Director of UNBS ; 
“UNBS”  means Uganda National Bureau of Standards ; 
“EAC”  means East African Community ; 
“Legal Metrology”  means a department under UNBS, which handles  measurements regulated by 
statutory requirements;  
“Equipment”  means a weighing or measuring equipment submitted to the Inspector  for pattern approval ; 
“Initi al verification”  means  a series of tests and visual examinations carried out to determine whether an 
equipment manufactured to replicate a given pattern conforms to that pattern and to Regulations, and that 
its metrological characteristics lie within the l imits required for initial verification of copies of that 
pattern ; 
“Pattern Approval”  means  the recognition that the pattern conforms to  relevant  statutory requirements 
and relates to the equipment  of the class produced by the manufacturer  and results in t he issuance of the 
pattern approval certificate ;  
“Copy of a pattern” means an individual equipment which conforms, within specified limits, to a given 
pattern in all respects;   
 “Fees Rules”  means the Weights and Measures (Testing and Stamping Rules) of 2 017 
“Pattern approval certificate” means a document certifying that Pattern approval has been granted.  
“Pattern  approval mark ” means a mark applied to an equip ment certifying its  conformity to the 
approved pattern;  
“Issuing authority” means a body legally authorised to issue Pattern Approval certificates after due 
Pattern Approval process.  
“Person” has same meaning under the Penal Code Act; Cap 120   
“Weight” has same meaning under the Weights and Measures Act;  and 
“CoC ” means OIML Certificate of Conformity  
“Pattern (Type)  means an equipment  of the same manufacturer, which have similar characteristics with 
respect to their purpose, use, principles of construction, shape, components, materials and metrological 
characteristics, and can differ as regards the ran ge of measurement and nominal values;  
 “Ancillary  device ” means  a device intended to perform function s, directly involved in elaborating, 
transmitting or displaying measurement results . Ancillary device may or may not be subjected to Legal 
Metrology contro l, according to its functions in the measuring system or to national regulations  Page 2 of 9 
 “Initial verification ” means the  verification  of an equipment  which has not been  verified  previously. 
Under the  law, every such  equipment  to be used in regulated areas has to be initially verified  and stamped 
before bei ng released for use or even sold  to the user.  
“Subsequent verification” of an equipment means mandatory periodic verification, verification after 
repair, and voluntary verification. It  may be carried out before e xpiry of the period of validity of a 
previous verification either at the request of the user (owner) or when its verification is declared to be no 
longer valid.  
“Metrology”  means science of measurements  
‘OIML’ means International Organisation of Legal Metr ology  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 1. These Rule s shall apply to equipment  submitted by any person to an Inspector  for pattern 
approval in accordance with the Act.  
 
2. Every application  shall b e accompanied by two copies  with the following information : 
 
(1) a drawing of the general arrangement and metrological details of the equipment including 
schematic diagrams and photographs showing the front, rear and side views of the 
equipment;  
(2) the technical and service manual of the equipment and a document describing th e 
following:  
(a) the principal of construction and the method of operation of the equipment;  
(b) the safety devices provided to prevent any fraudulent or inaccurate operation of the 
equipment;  
(c) the manner in which and the extent to which the equipment may be adju sted or 
corrected;  
(d) the place where the verification stamp or seal, or both, may be applied as provided 
under the Act; and  
(e) Any other information , which the applicant or Inspector may consider to be useful 
for ascertaining the performance, and facilitating t he approval, of the equipment.  
 
3. Application for the approval of any pat tern of equipment shall be made  in English to the 
Inspector , in writing, and shall contain the following, namely:  
(1) full name and address of the person submitting the pattern (herein afte r referred to as 
the applicant), or, where the applicant is not resident in East Africa, the name and 
address of his representative in East Africa;  
(2) the trade name or type of the equipment;  
(3) description of the equipment, its intended use and, the accuracy cl ass to which it 
belongs;  
(4) A comprehensive description of how the equipment functions must be submitted. In 
the case of a modification, include a list detailing all differences between original 
approval and modified instrumen t 
 
 
4. For the purpose of examinatio n and te sting for approval under these R ules, every 
application shall be accompanied by one weight, measure or equipment  and software , as 
the case may be, representative of the pattern to be approved together with the appropriate 
fee provided under  the Wei ghts and Measures (Tes ting and Stamping Fees) Rules . 
 
5. Where an equipment is provided with additional devices, full information with regard to 
any such additional device and its relationship to the said equipment shall also be 
submitted with the application  
 
6. In an application  for weighing and measuring equipment with embedded  software, the 
software shall  be uniquely identified . A version number shall be adapte d in case of every 
software change that may affect th e functions and accuracy of the  equipment . Embe dded  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 software - the manufacturer/agent shall describe or declare that the software of the 
instrument or module is embedded, i.e., it is used in a fixed hardware and software 
environment and cannot be modified or uploaded via any interface or by other means  
after securing a verification  stamp . In addition to  requirements  under  Rule 2 and 3,  the 
manufacturer/agent shall submit the following:   
(1) Description of the metrologically relevant functions  
(2) Software identification (fixed version number).  
(3) Securing measures  foreseen to provide for evidence of an intervention  
(4) Sample of instruments for laboratory evaluation - An operational instrument shall be 
provided for the laboratory evaluation.  
(5) Sample of the instrument for field tests - The installation of the instrument on site and 
the provision of test equipment is the responsibility of the submitter.  
 
7. Where the principles of construction and operation of any pattern  submitted for approval 
are similar to those of a previously approved one, the approval of the submitted pattern  
may be made on the basis of documents submitted along with the appli cation of such 
approved pattern, from the same manufacturer.  
 
8. Every pattern  submitted for approval shall be tested in accordance with such test 
procedures as may be laid down , or am ended  by the person  delegated by the Minister in  
relation to the type of equipment to which such model pertains and at such place as the 
Inspector may specify;  
 
9. Where, after the completion of the te sts, the Inspector is satisfied that the pattern  complies 
with the requirements under  the Act and these R ules, he shall forward the draft Pattern 
Approval C ertificate to the person delegated by the Minister, for approval. The certificate 
in respect of the submitted pattern will be issued subject to the following conditions:  
 
(1) The Pattern approval certificate shall becom e effective from the date of  issue;  
(2) The applicant shall affix or cause to be affixed, on each equipment, conforming to the 
approved pattern, the approval number shown in the certificate;  
(3) Where a patt ern approval in respect of equipment is not extended, the approval shall 
continue to apply to such equipment which are already in service  
(4) A pattern approval shall be valid for 5 years from the date it is granted.  
(5) The validity of a pattern approval may be e xtended for successive periods of 5 years;  
(6) Provided that the approval number or any mark thereof, so applied as a sign of 
approval, shall not be construed to have the same meaning as a verification stamp 
envisage d under Section 18 of the Act;  
(7) No limit shal l apply to the number of equipment which may be manufactured in 
accordance with an approved pattern;  
(8) The certificate shall be accompanied with results of the examination of the pattern and 
shall specify other requirements which must be complied with;  
(9) Where  any weight, measure or equipment is approved for a special use, the certificate 
of approval in respect of such weight, measure or equipment shall indicate the special 
use; Page 5 of 9 
  
(10) The Pattern Approval certificate shall be accompanied by descriptions, drawings 
and diagrams necessary to identify the pattern and to explain its functioning.  
 
 
(11) The sign of approval provided for in sub -Rule  6 above shall be decided by UNBS . 
The sign of Approval  shall be affixed or printed by the manufacturer onto equipment 
manufactured to replicate the approved pattern, in accordance with the provisions of 
these Rules, and shall be affixed at a visible point of each equipment and all ancillary 
devices submitted for initial verification, and must be legible and indelible.  
 
 
(12) At the time of  announcement of approval, the party concerned shall be notified, 
and copies of the Pattern Approval C ertificate shall  be availed to the public including  
other EAC member states , if so requested ; 
 
(13) Withdrawal of Pattern A pproval Certificate and other commun ications concerning 
the extent and validity of pattern approval shall also be subject to the announcement 
procedure mentioned above.  
 
 
(14) All Pattern Approval C ertificates shall be registered only after the fee , provided 
under Rule 4,  has been collected. UNBS  shall maintain lists of registered certificates, 
permanently available to all other EAC member states. Use of a registered certificate 
and the associated test report may be used by its owner, in support of an application 
for initial verification in anothe r EAC member state. It is the responsibility of the 
applicant to give evidence, upon request, that the pattern presented is identical to the 
pattern id entified by the certificate;  
 
10. In addition, by agreement with the applicant, the tested samples may be kep t by UNBS , a 
testing laboratory , or the applicant, the decision taking into account the size and the 
commercial value of  samples;  
 
11. The person delegated by the Minister may reject any application for the approval of a 
pattern of equipment  if, after the comp letion of the tests on the submitt ed pattern, he /she 
is of the opinion that the pattern does not comply with the req uirements of the Act and 
these R ules. 
 
(1) Where any submitted pattern  is no t approved, it may be re-submitted for 
approval after carrying out s uch modifications as may be necessary on the 
pattern . 
(2) Where any disapproved pattern  is resubmitted for approval, it shall be 
deemed, for the purposes of levy of fees and tests under these R ules, to be a 
fresh application for the approval of that pattern of  equipment ; and  
(3) The Inspector may require the applic ant to put, at his disposal,  Standards and  Page 6 of 9 
 appropriate means, in terms of material and personnel , to assist in the 
performance of approval tests.   
 
12. The person delegated by the Minister  may revoke any Pattern Approval C ertificate issued 
by him /her if he/she is satisfied that – 
 
(1) defects with regard to reliability, accuracy or metrological performance have been 
noticed in any equipment of the approved pattern in the course of its use; or  
(2) the manufacturer or a pplicant has failed to follow, either wholly or partly, the 
conditions specified in the certificate:  
 
13. Other conditions for revocation of Pattern Approval certificate are:  
(1) Where a certificate of approval has been revoked, the production or sale of any 
weigh t, measure or equipment  of a pattern conforming to the revoked certificate 
shall cease from such date as may be specified in the order of revocation.  
(2) The person delegated by the Minister  may reject  a pattern approval granted by 
another member state where — 
(a) the equipment in respect of which the approval was granted do 
not conform to the approved pattern or to the law of the EAC 
State which approv ed the pattern relating to that  equipment;  
(b) the metrological requirements specified in the Pattern 
Approval C ertifi cate are not met;  
(c) a restriction imposed in accordance with Rule 16 15 under the 
Fourth Schedule to these Rules, is not complied with; or  
(d) The person delegated by the Minister  ascertains that approval 
was granted in an improper manner.  
 
14. The the person delegat ed by the Minister  shall withdraw a pattern approval  granted by 
him or her where the equipment constructed in accordance with the approved pattern 
reveal , in service, a defect of a general nature which makes them unsuitable for their 
intended use.  
 
15. Where t he person delegated by the Minister  is notified by a competent authority in 
another EAC Member State that a circumstance is affecting or has affected an equipment 
in respect of which he/she  granted a pattern approval, he/she may, following consultation 
with that competent authority, withdraw the pattern approval  
 
 
16. Where the person delegated by the Minister  determines that any circumstance is affecting 
or has affected an equipment in respect of which a pattern approval has been granted by 
the competent autho rity in another EAC Member State, and so informs that competent 
authority, he/she  may prohibit the placing on the market and putting into service of the 
equipment concerned until further notice.  
 
17. Where the person delegated by the Minister  prohibits the pla cing on the market and Page 7 of 9 
 putting into service of an equipment, in accordance with Rule 15 , he or she may inform 
the competent authorities in other EAC Member States, stating the reasons on which his 
or her decision is based.  
 
18. Where a dispute arises between o r among competent authorities, the person delegated by 
the Minister  will endeavour to resolve the dispute with the competent authority . 
 
19. Where the person delegated by the Minister  has granted pattern approval in respect of an 
equipment, the manufacturer of  the equipment or, where the manufacturer is not 
established within EAC, the representative of the manufacturer established within EAC, 
shall notify him/her , as soon as reasonably practicable, of any modification or addition to 
the approved pattern.  
 
20. Where  the person delegated by the Minister  receives a notification in accordance with 
Rule 18 , he may notify the competent authorities in the other EAC Member States of the 
modification or addition, as the case ma y be, to the approved pattern . 
 
21. Where the person  delegated by the Minister  has granted pattern approval in respect of an 
equipment, the manufacturer of the equipment or, where the manufacturer is not 
established in the EAC , the representative of the manufacturer established within the 
EAC , shall apply f or additional pattern approval for a modification or addition to an 
approved pattern in a case in which that modification or addition, as the case may be, 
would or may influence measurement results or the prescribed conditions for use of the 
equipment. . Such application and subsequent modification or addition  under this Rule  
will not affect the status of the Pattern Approval C ertificate already issued . 
 
22. Where the pattern has been approved by another EAC pattern member state, the 
application shall be accompa nied by documents relevant to the approvals already granted. 
(Upon proper authentication of the documents, the person delegated by the Minister  may 
direct that the equipment undergoes initial verification).  
 
23. When pattern approval is granted for ancillary device  by the person delegated by the 
Minister , the approval shall specify — 
(1) the patterns of each equipment to which the ancillary device  may be attached or in 
which it may be incorporated;  and 
(2) the general conditions for the overall functioning of the equipm ent for which it is 
approved.  
 
24. The the person delegated by the Minister  may recognise Pattern Approval C ertificates  
already approved by other EAC, international or  recognised issuing authorities  as follows:  
(1) For OIML , Certificate of Conformity (CoC)  (in Eng lish) is required when it 
accompanies t he application for pattern  approval:  
(2) Copy  of the associated OIML Test Report; and  
(3) Declaration of authenticity of the OIML C oC and Test Report.  
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 25. The test report shall, at least, include the following:  
(1)  the name an d address of the laboratory  that performed the tests, with a statement of  
compliance with the guidelines ; 
(2) reference (number and year when submitted for pattern approval);  
(3) identification of the pattern of equipment (e.g. designation, description, external and 
internal photographs, marking, inscriptions, specifications, electronic circuitry and 
parts list, accuracy class etc.;  
(4) identification of the samples tested;  
(5) the name and address of the manufacturer;  
(6) the name and address of the applicant for the certificate;  
(7) the date (period) of the tests;  
(8) the place of testing;  
(9) the specific conditions of the tests, if applicable;  
(10) the test results;  
(11) The test report shall be dated, signed, and provided with a unique identification 
number by the responsible person of the laborato ry or of the issuing authority:  
(12) The test report shall be in English;  
(13) UNBS shall keep on file the information provided with the application and a copy 
of the test report;  
26. The person delegated by the Minister  may set restrictions and conditions of use of the  
pattern for maintenance of metrological requirements  
 
27. Any equipment with a Pattern Approval C ertificate from any EAC member state shall be 
subjected to initial verification before placing the equipment  on the market or into 
service.  
 
28. These Rules shall not  apply to equipment found in service before commencement of the se 
Rules.  
 
 
29. Any person who  causes or engages in production or sale of weight, measure or equipment 
whose pattern has not been approved  by the Inspector , or where a certificate  of approval 
has b een revoked  in accordance with these Rules, commits an offence and, on convictio n, 
pays a fine of not more than  five thousand  shillings in respect of each weight, measure or 
equipment made or sold, or imprisonment of not more than three months  or both  fine and 
imprisonment .  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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FIRST SCHEDULE  
 OTHER DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED DURING APPLICATION FOR 
PATTERN APPROVAL  
 
1) Calibration manual.  
2) Components list.  
3) Component layout.  
4) Circuit diagrams.  
5) Mechanical drawings.  
6) Drawings and description of method of securing the instrument.