1 
 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS 
 
2017 No…. 
 
THE UGANDA NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS (USE OF DIST INCTIVE 
MARK ON COMMODITIES) REGULATIONS, 2017. 
 
ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS 
 
Regulation 
 
PART I - PRELIMINARY 
1.  Title.  
2.  Interpretation. 
 
PART II – APPLICATION OF A DISTINCTIVE MARK ON A COM MODITY 
3.  Application of a distinctive mark on a commodity. 
4.  Prohibition of dealing in a commodity without a dis tinctive mark. 
 
PART III– APPLICATION TO USE A DISTINCTIVE MARK 
5.  Application for a distinctive mark. 
6.  Application requirements for a domestic manufacture r. 
7.  Application requirements for an importer.  
8.  Sample testing.  
PART IV- TERMS OF USE OF A DISTINCTIVE MARK 
9.  Application of a distinctive mark on a commodity. 
10.  Terms of use of a distinctive mark.  
11.  Suspension or withdrawal of authorization. 
12.  Cancellation of authorization.  
13.  Refusal to grant authorization.  2 
 14.  Renewal of authorization for domestic manufacturers.   
15.  Surveillance audits for domestic manufacturers.  
16.  Administrative Sanctions.  
17.  Fees.  
18.  Offences and penalties.  
19.  Appeals.  
SCHEDULE 1 - Distinctive mark. 
SCHEDULE 2 - Categories of commodities covered by c ompulsory standards  
SCHEDULE 3 - Application Form for registration and authorization to use 
distinctive mark for Domestic Manufacturers. 
SCHEDULE 4 - Application form for registration and authorization to use 
distinctive mark for Importers. 
SCHEDULE 5 - Fees 3 
 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS 
 
2017 No…. 
 
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (Use of Dis tinctive Mark on 
Commodities) Regulations, 2017 
(Under section 43 of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act, Cap 327) 
IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon the Minister re sponsible for commerce 
by section 43 of the Uganda National Bureau of Stand ards Act, and on the 
recommendation of the National Standards Council, th ese Regulations are made 
this ……… day of …………. 2017. 
1.  Title.  
These Regulations may be cited as the Uganda Nationa l Bureau of Standards (Use 
of Distinctive Mark on Commodities) Regulations, 2017 . 
2.  Interpretation. 
In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise req uires— 
“Act” means the Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act, Cap 327; 
“applicant” means the importer or manufacturer appl ying for a distinctive mark; 
“approved’’ means registration and authorization by the bureau; 
“assessment” means a systematic and independent exa mination to determine 
whether compulsory standard specifications requiremen ts have been met; 
“authorization” means grant of permission, either th rough issuance of a permit or 
any other prescribed means, to use the distinctive m ark on a product; 
“Bureau” means the Uganda National Bureau of Standar ds; 4 
 “certification” means the issue of a statement by a third party, based on a decision 
following assessment and review, that fulfillment of  specified requirements of a 
product, process or system has been demonstrated; 
“certification body” means an organization that pro vides certification services; 
“certification scheme” means a certification system  related to specified products to 
which the same specified requirements, specific rul es and procedures apply;  
“commodity” means any article or product which is or  will ultimately be the subject 
of trade or use; 
“compulsory standard specification” means the standa rd specification declared 
under section 18 of the Act; 
“conformity” means fulfillment of specified requireme nts;  
“consignment” means an aggregation of product made un der a common system of 
causes and presented for inspection;  
“Director ” means the Director of the Bureau appointed under se ction 11 of the Act; 
“distinctive mark” means a mark declared as such unde r Section 18 of the Act; 
“domestic manufacturer” means a person manufacturing a product within Uganda; 
“distributor” means any natural or legal person in th e supply chainother than the 
manufacturer or importer, who makes a product covered under compulsory 
standard specifications available on the Ugandan ma rket; 
 “importer” means any natural or legal person establ ished within Uganda, who 
brings into Uganda a product subject to a compulsory standard specification; 
“inspector” means a person appointed as an inspecto r under section 13 of the Act; 
 “inspection” means the examination of product desig n, product, process or its 
installation and determination of its conformity wi th specific requirements; 
“inspection report” meansa report compiled by the i nspector or the inspection team 
detailing the findings of the inspection; 5 
 “manufacturer” means any natural or legal person who m anufactures a product 
covered under compulsory standard specifications using  their own or outsourced 
manufacturing facilities;  
“permit” means a document issued by Uganda National B ureau of Standards to a 
company authorizing it to use a certification or dis tinctive mark on its commodity, 
in accordance with the rules of the mark; 
“permit holder” means a person granted a permit by Uganda National Bureau of 
Standards to use the distinctive mark; 
“quality” means degree to which inherent characteris tics of an object fulfils 
requirements; 
“quality management” means management with regard to  quality that can include 
establishing quality policies and quality objectives , and processes to achieve these 
quality objectives through quality planning, quality as surance, quality control and 
quality improvement; 
“supplier” means any manufacturer, importer, or provide r who puts a commodity 
into circulation on the market; and  
“surveillance audits” means periodic evaluation of a p ermit holder’s quality control 
system to determine conformity with a relevant stan dard and the terms and 
conditions of the permit. 
PART II – APPLICATION OF A DISTINCTIVE MARK ON A COM MODITY 
3.  Prohibition from dealing in a commodity without a di stinctive 
mark. 
A person shall not manufacture, store for sale, impor t, sell or distribute a 
commodity for which a compulsory standard specifica tion is declared under 
section 18 of the Act unless the commodity- 
(a)  conforms to the relevant standards specifications; and 
(b)  bears the distinctive mark specified in Schedule 1. 6 
 4.  Application of a distinctive mark on a commodity. 
(1)  An importer or manufacturer of any commodity for wh ich a compulsory 
standard specification is declared shall ensure that  the commodity is issues 
with authorization to use and bears the distinctive m ark specified in Schedule 
1. 
 
(2)  A commodity for which a compulsory standard specific ation is declared shall 
not be placed on the market if it does not bear the  distinctive mark. 
 
 
PART III– APPLICATION FOR A DISTINCTIVE MARK 
5.  Registration of importers and manufacturers and use  of distinctive 
marks. 
(1)  An importer  or manufacturer who intends to bring into Uganda or 
manufacture a commodity for which a compulsory standa rd specification is 
declared under section 18 of the Act shall apply to the Bureau to be registered 
and authorized to use the distinctive mark. 
(2)  The Director shall grant authorization to use the dis tinctive mark on a 
commodity for which a compulsory standard specificat ion has been declared 
to a manufacturer or importer after all the requiremen ts of this regulation 
have been met.  
(3)  A domestic manufacturer shall be required to register  with the Bureau 
whether or not the commodity is sold on the local m arket. 
 
6.  Application requirements for a domestic manufacture r. 
(1)  A domestic manufacturer of a commodity for which a co mpulsory standards 
specification has been declared as specified in sch edule 2,  shall upon payment 
of the fees prescribed in Schedule 3, apply to the B ureau for registration and 
issue of a permit to use a distinctive mark. 7 
 (2)  An application for registration and issue of a permi t to use a distinctive mark 
shall be made in the Form specified in Schedule 4 an d shall be made within 
60 working days of the coming into force of these Re gulations or before 
commencement of production. 
(3)  The Bureau shall inspect and assess the manufacturing facility of the 
applicant and all goods covered by the compulsory s tandard specification to 
verify that the production and quality assurance proc esses and commodities 
conform to the requirements of the compulsory standa rd specification and 
any other applicable terms and conditions.  
(4)  For the purposes of sub regulation (3), the applicant  shall provide all 
reasonable facilities to the inspector to assess th e commodity, the 
manufacturing facility or other premises of the appli cant for the purposes of 
verifying documents submitted by the applicant and o f obtaining other 
information relevant to the application. 
 
7.  Application requirements for an importer. 
(1)  An importer of a commodity specified in schedule 2 s hall apply to the Bureau 
for registration and authorization to use the distinc tive mark before 
importing the commodity into Uganda. 
(2)  An application for registration and authorization to  use the distinctive mark 
shall be made in the Form specified in schedule 5. 
(3)   An application shall be made in respect of each co nsignment. 
(4)  The Bureau through its appointed agents shall carry o ut conformity 
assessment of all commodities before importation. 
(5)  The Bureau shall issue to every successful applicant                        
distinctive mark stickers corresponding with the num ber of product units for 
each product that meets the requirements of the stand ards in any one single 
consignment. 8 
 (6)  A commodity covered by a compulsory standard specifi cation shall not be 
imported into Uganda unless it bears a distinctive m ark sticker issued by the 
Bureau. 
  
8.  Sample testing. 
(1)  In circumstances where a sample is required to make  an assessment under 
these Regulations, an applicant shall provide all re asonable facilities and 
assistance to the inspectors to draw and get sample s of the product for testing 
by the Bureau or other testing laboratory designated  by the Bureau in writing 
as a testing laboratory. 
 
(2)  The cost of transporting a sample, instrument, equipm ent, apparatus, 
material or any other expense incurred in connection  with the assessment 
under these Regulations shall be incurred by the appl icant. 
 
PART IV- TERMS OF USE OF A DISTINCTIVE MARK 
9.  Application of a distinctive mark on a commodity. 
(1)  The distinctive mark shall, be applied in a visible , legible and indelible 
manner on a commodity before it is placed on the ma rket and shall be in the 
form specified in Schedule 1.   
 
(2)  The distinctive mark may be enlarged or reduced to a n appropriate size, 
provided that its dimensions conform to the specifi cations in Schedule 1. 
 
10.  Terms of use of a distinctive mark.  
(1)  A manufacturer or importer shall; 
(a) use a distinctive mark in accordance with the te rms and conditions of the 
authorization for the use of the distinctive mark .  
(b)  apply the distinctive mark only on a product covered  by a valid authorization; 9 
 (c)  ensure that the product in respect of which a distinc tive mark has been 
authorized for use conforms at all times to the relev ant compulsory standard 
specification;  
(d)  establish and maintain a system of product recall, a ddressing complaints filed 
by its clients or consumers concerning its products a nd shall maintain a 
record of the same. 
(e)  ensure that products that do not meet the compulsory standard specifications 
are immediately withdrawn from the market and shall  be liable for any 
damage caused by those products to consumers. 
(f)  in case of suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of  authorization to use the 
distinctive mark, discontinue its use and immediately  withdraw all 
promotional and advertising material containing any  reference to that 
authorization.  
 
(2)  A domestic manufacturer, shall in addition;  
(a)  maintain a complete and up-to-date record of the sys tem of control, including 
inspection and testing, for the purpose of establish ing, to the satisfaction of 
the Bureau, that the system of control is being cons istently maintained;  
(b)  ensure that the record required to be maintained unde r paragraph (a), shall 
be made available for inspection by an inspector an d the permit holder shall, 
at the request of the inspector, permit the removal of the record to the 
premises of the Bureau for closer scrutiny; and 
(c)  allow the inspector access to the premises where th e product specified in the 
permit is manufactured for the purpose of evaluating m aterials, production 
processes, finished product, quality assurance facilit ies, records and others in 
accordance with guidelines issued by the Bureau.  
(d)  in the case of transfer of plant site, give notice of the transfer to the Bureau, at 
least 21 days before the transfer is implemented. 
(e)  where there has been any modification in the product  or manufacturing 
process, reapply to the Bureau for authorization to continue using the 
distinctive mark.  
 
11.  Suspension or withdrawal of authorization. 10 
 The Council may suspend or withdraw authorization to use a distinctive mark 
where- 
(1)  the commodity does not conform to the compulsory st andard specifications;  
(2)  the importer, or manufacturer does not take correct ive action as required by 
the Bureau; 
(3)  the importer, or manufacturer uses the distinctive m ark or registration 
number in violation of the authorization;  
(4)  the product has caused an accident; or 
(5)  the importer, or manufacturer applies for temporary w ithdrawal. 
12.  Cancellation of authorization. 
The Council may cancel a permit to use a distinctive mark where: - 
(1)  the importer, or manufacturer does not comply with the conditions of the 
authorization; 
(2)  the product is non-compliant to compulsory standard specifications;  
(3)  the production of the commodity is terminated;  
(4)  the importer or manufacturer applies to cancel the a uthorization; 
(5)  the product is not identical to the sample product pr ovided by the 
applicant; 
(6)  the permit holder does not abide by the rules of susp ension in the case of 
a suspension; or 
(7)  the council discovers that a permit holder obtained the permit through an 
improper manner such as bribery or fraud. 
13.  Refusal to grant authorization. 
(1)  The Director may refuse to grant or renew aauthoriza tion to use a distinctive 
mark where the requirements of these Regulations have  not been met. 11 
 (2)  The Director may ask for further information from th e applicant before the 
refusal to grant or renew authorization. 
(3)  Where the Director refuses to grant or renew authori zation to use a distinctive 
mark, the Director shall state the reasons for the refusal in writing and notify 
the applicant of the refusal within 10 working days after making the decision. 
14.  Renewal of authorization for domestic manuafacturers .   
(1)  A permit holder shall apply to the Bureau for the re newal of the permit to use 
the distinctive mark at least three (3) months befo re the expiry of the period 
for which the permit was granted. 
(2)  The Director may, on application for renewal, renew  the permit to use the 
distinctive mark for a further period of twelve mont hs on being satisfied that 
-  
(a)  the product in respect of which a renewal is sought c onforms to the 
relevant compulsory standard specification; and  
(b)  the applicant has a scheme of operation and testing  which adequately 
ensures that the product conforms to the relevant sta ndard. 
15.  Surveillance audits for domestic manufacturers.  
(1)  The grant of a permit to use a distinctive mark shal l be followed by 
surveillance audits in a manner determined by the Bure au.  
(2)  The surveillance audits may be without notice to the p ermit holder to ensure 
that the systems and procedures already assessed are  being maintained. 
(3)  The Bureau may make a special surveillance audit where  the authorization 
holder fails to observe the conditions of the permi t or where there have been 
significant changes in the organization of the perm it holder. 12 
 16.  Administrative sanctions. 
An importer, distributor, manufacturer, seller or a person who has in his possession 
or control for sale or distribution commodities tha t do not comply with the 
compulsory standard specifications shall on a direc tive by the Bureau and at his or 
her expense - 
(a)  remove the goods from the market; and 
(b)  destroy the goods within twenty-eight working days from the date of receipt 
of the directive.  
17.  Fees. 
The fees and charges payable to the Bureau for the a pplication of the grant of a 
authorization to use a distinctive mark and other inc idental matters shall be as 
specified in Schedule 3. 
 
18.  Offences and penalties. 
(1)  A person who – 
(a)  uses a distinctive mark without authorization from the  Bureau; or 
(b)  falsely represents any product to be a product that c omplies with the 
provisions of these Regulations; 
commits an offence and shall on conviction be liabl e to a fine not less than five 
hundred currency points and not exceeding two thousand  five hundred 
currency points or imprisonment not less than two y ears and not exceeding 
five years or both. 
19.  Appeals. 
A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Burea u in execution of these 
regulations, may appeal as provided for under sectio n 25 of the UNBS Act CAP 327 
as amended. 13 
 SCHEDULE 1 
DISTINCTIVE MARK. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14 
 SCHEDULE 2 
Categories of commodities covered by compulsory sta ndards. 
1. Toys 
2. Electrical and Electronics 
3. Automotive Products and Inputs 
4. Chemical Products 
5. Mechanical Materials and Gas Appliances 
6. Textile, Leather, Plastics and Rubber 
7. Furniture (wood and metal articles) 
8. Paper and Stationery 
9. Protective Safety Equipment 
10. Food and Food Products 
11. Used Products, including used Motor Vehicles. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 SCHEDULE 3 
FEES 
 
NO. ACTIVITY FEE 
1.  Application fee 100,000/= per application 
 
2. Annual permit fees Micro, Small, and Medium Scale En terprises 
(MSMEs) - 350,000/= per product brand. 
 
Large company - 800,000/= per product brand  
3.  Import Distinctive Mark stickers  17/= per sticker 
 
 16 
 SCHEDULE 4  
Application Form for registration and authorization to use the distinctive mark for 
domestic manufacturers 
A.  APPLICANT’S INFORMATION 
1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT 
Company Name  
Company Tax Identification 
Number (TIN)  
Business Registration Please attach certificate of registration of busine ss  
COMPANY 
ADDRESS Office Address  Factory/Manufacturing facility 
Address  
  Name of production facility (if 
different)  
 
District    
Physical 
address  
  
  
Postal address    
Email address    
Tel. 
contact(s)/fax     
Website    
Personnel 
details  More information in Annex 5  
 Chief Executive  Quality Control  In-charge  
Name    
Designation    
Mobile number    17 
 Email address    
Number of staff   
Production capacity  
Installed capacity  Actual capacity  Annual Turnover  
   
B: PRODUCT INFORMATION 
Information on product intended 
for certification is deemed 
mandatory. 
 
Where applicable, name of 
product, its type(s) and/or 
mode(s) shall follow as specified 
in the standard. 
 
The applicant is required to 
declare proof of ownership of the 
trademark /brand name or 
provide a letter of consent from 
the owner of the trademark/ 
brand name.  Product 
Name  
 
Trademar 
k/ Brand 
Name(s)  
 
 
Product 
Descriptio 
n  
 
Product 
Standard   
 
For 
Equipmen 
t/ 
Electric/ 
Electronic 
Products Type(s)   
Model( 
s)  
Rating( 
s)  
Size(s)  
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
Sector Code:  
 UNBS RECEIVED  STAMP  
Lead Auditor 
Allocation:  
 
 
C: TECHNICAL &  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 18 
 Raw 
materials List all components and/or raw materials used to ass emble or 
manufacture the product –  Annex 1 .  
Process 
flow & 
Descriptio 
n Draw the process flow chart and identify the quality  check points; 
provide a brief process description -  Annex 2 .  
Quality 
control Prepare a quality control check points schedule -  Annex 3 .  
Test 
equipment Prepare test and inspection equipment list and calib ration/ 
verification schedule –  Annex 4 .  
Additional 
informatio 
n • Company organization chart& names and qualifications  of 
production & QC personnel Annex 5.  
• Documented procedures describing how non-conforming 
purchased raw materials and finished products are ide ntified, 
recorded and handled Annex 6.  
• Documented procedure describing how customer complaint s 
are recorded and handled Annex 7.  
• Production flow/process layout  Annex 8.  
• Product analysis reports  Annex 9.  
• Product Labels and Markings  Annex 10.  
• Any other sector specific requirements  Annex 11.  
D: DECLARATION AND UNDERTAKING 
In connection with this application, I/We: 
a)  Undertake to ensure the product manufactured and the m anufacturing 
processes comply with the relevant standard and the  product certification 
requirements respectively. 
b)  Undertake to supply all information required by UNBS  for the purpose of 
evaluation of the product(s) to be certified; 
c)  Undertake to make samples of product(s) and material s available to UNBS 
for evaluation and testing; 
d)  Agree to give the auditors reasonable access during normal working hours 
to the premises wherein the product specified in the  application is 19 
 manufactured for the purpose of evaluating materials, p roduction processes, 
finished product, quality assurance facilities, recor ds; 
e)  Undertake to pay UNBS all costs of processing this application and 
maintenance of certification; 
f)  Agree that UNBS may release information obtained in  the course of 
processing the application to the public or governme nt authorities so far as 
is prudent to warn in the opinion of UNBS. The clien t shall be informed 
accordingly prior to release of any information. 
g)  Undertake to sign the UNBS Product Certification Ag reement before 
grant/renewal of the certification license. 
h)  I/We also undertake not to involve UNBS, its directo rs, officers and 
authorized representatives in any legal proceeding o n any disputes between 
us and other parties. 
I, hereby, declare that all information given in th is application form is correct 
to my knowledge. 
An 
authorized 
representativ 
e of the 
applicant 
shall put his 
signature in 
this section  Signatur 
e  Applicant’s stamp 
Name  
Designat 
ion  
Date  
Please return form duly completed to:   
Certification Division,  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards, 
Bypass Link Bweyogerere Industrial Area & Business Pa rk, Kyaliwajala Road, 
Bweyogerere, Buto, 
P.O. Box 6329, Kampala, Uganda. 
Tel. 041-222367, 041-505995, 031-262688; Fax 041-28 6123 
 20 
 
SCHEDULE 5 
Application form for registration and authorization to use distinctive mark for 
Importers. 
 
IMPORTS DISTINCTIVE MARK (IDM) 
APPLICATION FORM  
 
The Executive Director, 
 
Uganda National Bureau of standards, 
 
P.O. Box 6329, 
 
KAMPALA. 
 
CUSTOMS 
ENTRY NUMBER 
(Not applicable for 
licensedgoods)  
 
IDF NUMBER (Not applicable for licensed goods)  
 
CERTIFCATE 
OF 
CONFORMITY 
(COC) NO. 
(Forgoods 
accompanied with 
COC)  
 
TEST REPORT 
NO. (For goods 
subjected to 21 
 destinationinspect 
ion)  
 
LICENCE CERTIFICATE NO  
 
( For licensed products - route C of the PVOC progr am)  
 
     Description of the commodity 
upon and in respect   
Trade mark or brand which is 
in use in respect      
            
  S/ 
N   which the Import distinctive 
mark is to be used     Quantit 
y   
      
of the commodity     
     
         
              
              
 1             
              
 2             
              
 3             
              
 4             
              
 5             
              
 6             
              
 7             
              
 8             
              
 9             
              
 10              22 
        
Name of Importer 
……............... ………...…......……….......  Postal 
address……………………………Email……………………… 
 
Physical address……................................. ........................ 
Tel……………………… …… ……………………………… 
 
Contact 
Person…………………………………............Designation......... ...................................... 
.............................. 
 
It is hereby certified that the information supplied  herein by the undersigned 
is true and correct. The undersigned agrees to abide by the Terms and 
Conditions stipulated at the back of this form 
 
Signature………………………………Date……………… ………… ………………… 
………………………………… 
 
Attachments (Tick as appropriate)  FOR UNBS USE ONLY   
   
Packing list. Customs Entry Import 
Declaration Form (IDF) Application Received and Checked   
by………………………  
Certificate of Conformity (CoC) Test 
Report PVoC License No.   of IDM   
stickers…………………..Printed   
Amount paid……………………………… 
….ReceiptNo…  
Copy of receipt of payment for ISM 
Stickers Copy of receipt of PVoC penalty 
(where applicable)  
IDM Stickers checked and released   
by……………  
  
    
 
NOTE:  
 23 
 • Payment shall be made at the time of filing the app lication.  
• Fill each consignment on a separate form.  
 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS  
 
(1)  The Importer shall affix the IDM only on certified products.  
(2)  The Importer shall establish and maintain a system of product recall, and 
addressing complaints filed by its clients or consu mers concerning its certified 
products and shall maintain records thereof.  
(3)  The Importer shall ensure that its certified product conforms at all times to a 
specified standard and shall be liable for any dama ge caused by the said product 
to its consumers.  
(4)  The importer shall pay the applicable fees and char ges as billed by UNBS.