FINAL DRAFT UGANDA 
STANDARD  
  FDUS 307  
Second Edition  
2011 - mm -dd 
 
 Reference number  
FDUS 307: 201 1 
© UNBS 201 1  
  
Netting materials for malaria vector c ontrol  — Specification  
 FDUS 307:201 1 
© UNBS 20 11 – 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 responsi ble for its correct application  
© UNBS  2010  
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 pri or 
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 31 262688/689  
Fax: 256 41 286 123  
E-mail: unbs@afsat .com  FDUS 307:201 1 
© UNBS 20 11 – All rights reserved  Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and 
Industry established by the Act of Parliament of 1983, of the Laws of Uganda.  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards an d is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agreements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The wo rk of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of 
representatives of consumers, traders, academicians, manufacturers, gover nment and other stakeholders.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and 
the general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft 
standards for approval and d eclaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council. The 
Technical Committee on the Textile and Apparels (TC 7) elaborated this Uganda Standard and the 
following institutions were represented.  
Committee membership  
The following organisations were represented on the Textile and Apparels  Standards Technical 
Committee, UNBS/TC 7, during the development of this standard:  
 Kyambogo University  
 Ministry of Health (National Malaria Control Programme)  
 National Drug Authority  
 Nett shoppe Uganda Limited  
 Uganda Consumer Protection Association (CONSENT)  
 World Health Organisation (WHO)  
 Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
 FDUS 307:201 1 
© UNBS 20 11 – All rights reserved  Introduction  
Malaria is currently the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda accounting for 20  % - 40 % of 
all outpatients' v isits at health facilities, 20  % of hospital admissions and 15  % of in -patient deaths.  
A series of malaria epidemics have also been experienced in the highland districts in Uganda in recent 
years with high disease burden and serious socio -economic consequ ences. Repeated low level and 
mostly non -febrile infections with malaria parasites result into chronic anaemia in children and pregnant 
women (particularly prime gravid), abortion, low birth weight and reduced growth (stunting) in children 
under 5 years. M alaria does not only cause ill health and death but also has a great impact on the social 
and economic development of the individual, the family, the community and the nation as a whole. 
Although no exact figures currently exist for Uganda, it can be estim ated from studies in other countries in 
Sub-Sahara Africa that the overall cost for malaria may be as high as 1  % - 3 % of the gross domestic 
product (GDP). The World Bank estimates that Uganda may be using US $ 50 million per year for malaria 
control alon e. Malaria therefore, may not only be the leading cause of ill health and death in Uganda but 
may be the major cause of poverty in Uganda. Control of malaria may thus be one of the ways of fighting 
poverty in Uganda.  
There are essentially two key strategi es for malaria control: appropriate case management and the control 
of the malaria vectors by various means including the use of Insecticide -Treated Materials (ITMs).  
Effective case management can reduce deaths and suffering from severe malaria and to som e extent also 
secondary consequences of malaria such as anaemia. However, it is insufficient on its own. This is 
because it does not usually reduce the transmission of the parasite and, hence, is unable to prevent new 
infections. Reduction of transmission of malaria can only be achieved by mosquito (vector) control.  
Moreover, increased resistance of the malaria parasites to the drugs available, especially to chloroquine, 
means that treatment is not always fully effective. Thus there is need to use other add itional preventive 
measures to control malaria in Uganda.  
Among the preventive measures , ITMs  are now considered to be the most cost -effective and sustainable 
community -based malaria preventive measures.  
Trials in many malaria endemic countries in Africa  during the past 12 years have convincingly 
demonstrated that widespread use of regularly treated mosquito nets can reduce childhood morbidity and 
mortality by about 50  % and 20  % respectively. The trials showed that the use of treated nets can prevent 
deaths each year for every 1,000 children protected.  
In Uganda according to UNEPI NIDS (Working Figures for 1999), with an estimated under 5 year 
population of about 4,170,700, over 25,000 child deaths could be prevented every year by treated nets 
alone, if all the children were using regularly treated mosquito nets. Thus the Malaria Control Program 
(MCP) is promoting the use of ITMs as one of its major malaria control strategies.  
For proper implementation of ITMs program in Uganda, it is therefore essential  to set and enforce the 
necessary standards for mosquito nets, netting materials and insecticides for their treatment to protect the 
local population from buying sub -standard items.   FINAL DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  FDUS 307: 201 1 
 
© UNBS 20 11 – All rights reserved  1 
 Netting materials for malaria vector c ontrol  — Specification  
1 Scope  
This Final Draft Uganda Standard prescribes requirements for netting materials intended for malaria vector 
control. This includes insecticide treated and none treated mosquito nets which may be rectangular or conical  
as well as other netting materials like c urtains and tents. The treated materials are categorised as long lasting  
insecticides treated nets.  
2 Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cit ed applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 1833 , Textiles — Binary  fibre mixtures — Quantitative chemical ana lysis 
ISO 2060 , Textiles  — Yarn from packages — Determination of lin ear density (mass per unit length) by skein 
method  
ISO 2960 , Textiles — Determination of bursting strength and bursting distension — Diaphragm methods  
ISO 3758  Textiles — Care   labelling code using symbols  
ISO 3801 , Textiles — Woven fabrics — Determination  of mass per unit length and mass per unit area  
ISO 5077 , Textiles — Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying  
ISO 6330 , Textiles — Domestic washing and drying procedure for textile testing  
ISO 6941 , Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Measurement of flame spread properties of vertically 
orientated specimens  
ISO 8388  Textiles — Knitted fabrics. Types. Vocabulary  
US 417 , Glossary of terms for defects in fabrics – Woven fabrics  
US 418 , Glossary of terms for defects in fabrics – Knitted fabri cs 
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purpose of this standard the definitions given in US 417  and US 418  and the  following definitions shall 
apply .  
3.1 
Long  Lasting Insecticidal N ets (LLIN ) 
factory treated mosquito net made with a netting material that has insecticide incorporated within the yarn or 
wound around the fibres. The LLIN must have the capacity to retain its effective biological activity without re -FDUS 307:201 1 
2 ©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  
 treatment for at least twenty WHO standard washes under laboratory conditions and three years of 
recommended use under field conditions hence fulfilling the WHOPES 2 test.  
3.2 
conventionally treated net  
mosquito net that has been treated by dipping the net in a WHO -recommended insecticide  (see Annex A)  to 
ensure continued inse cticidal effect  
4 Symbols (a nd abbreviated terms)  
The abbreviations below are found throughout this standard.  
 WHO   World Health Organization  
 WHOPES   World Health Organization Pesticides Eval uation Scheme  
 PBO    Piperonyl butoxide  
5 Requirements  
5.1 General  
5.1.1 Textile netting mater ials 
The textile materials used for the manufacture of mosquito netting and any other textile products intended for 
malaria vector control  shall fulfil the requ iremen ts as specified in table s 1 to 6 below.  US 307: 201 1 
©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  3 
 Table  1 — Specification for netting materials  
 Specifications   
Parameter  Polyester  Polyethylene  Test method ( ISO)  
Fibre  100 % polyester  100 % polyethylene  ISO 1833  
Denier   100  Multifilament : ≥ 100 denier  
Monofilament : ≥ 150 denier  ISO 2060  
Filaments  Multi -filament ≥ 36 Mono/multi -filament   
Mesh size 156 holes/inch2 (25 holes/cm2) Min. Monofilament:  6.25 
holes/cm2, (4mm x 4  mm) 
Multifilament : 161 holes/inch2 
min. ISO 1833 /WHO 
Interim Specification 
333/LN  
Weight (g/m2)1) 100 denier: 40 g/m2.(min) 
 100 denier  Multifilament  : 40 
g/m2.(min) 
150 denie r Monofilament: 50 
g/m2 .(min)  ISO 3801  
Bursting strength  100 denier: 350 Kpa.(min)  
 Monofilament : 150 denier: 
350 Kpa.(min)  
Multifilament : 100 denier 350 
Kpa.(min)  ISO 2960  
Shrinkage  Threshold/range of < 5  % Threshold/range of < 5  % pa ISO 6330  
ISO 3801  
ISO 5077  
Dimensional stability  Threshold/range of < 5  % Threshold/range of < 5%  ISO 5077  
Flammability ( Fire 
safety ) Not inflammable (class 1)  Not inflammable (class 1)  16 CFR Part 1610  
Weave / netting  type Wrap knitted  Raschel2) ISO 8388  
Colour  fastness to:  
Light  
Washing   
   4 or better  
    4 or better  
  
4 or better  
    4 or better  
  
Melting point   About 130  ºC  
Flashing point   341 ºC  
Ignition point   349 ºC  
Seam  sewn using 100% polyester thread    
1) Weight is derived from Denier (e.g. 100 den ier = 40 g/m2) 
2) Raschel knit is a warp knitted fabric that produces fabric similar to tricot but usually of coarser texture and with openwork  patterns.  
 FDUS 307:201 1 
4 ©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  
 Table 2  —WHO -recommende d LLIN  
Product Name  Product Type  Status of WHO 
Recommendation  
Duranet ® Alpha-cypermethrin incorporated into polyethylene  Interim  
 
Interceptor ® Alpha -cypermethrin coated on polyester  Interim  
 
Netprotect ® Deltamethrin incorporated into polyethylene  Interim  
 
Olyset ® Permethrin incorporated into polyethylene  Full 
 
PermaNet ® 2.0 Deltamethrin coated on polyester  Full 
 
PermaNet ® 2.5 Deltamethrin coated on polyester with strengthened border  Interim  
 
PermaNet ® 3.0 Combination of deltamethrin coated on polyester with strengthened border 
(side panels)  and deltamethrin and Piperonyl but oxide (PBO)  incorporated 
into polyethylene (roof)  Interim  
 
NOTE 1 Reports of the WHOPES Working Group Meetings should be consulted for detailed guidance on use and 
recommendations. These reports are available on the WHO homepage on the Internet at 
http:// www.who.int/whopes/recommendations/wgm/en/)  
NOTE 2 WHO recommendations on the use of pesticides in public health are valid ONLY if linked to WHO specifications for 
their quality control. WHO specifications for public health pesticides are available on the WHO homepage on the Internet at  
http://www.who.int/whopes/quality/en/  
 
 
Table 3  — Recommend ed minimum specifications for LLIN  for Uganda  
 
 Olyset®  DuraNet®  NetProtect®  Interceptor ®  PermaNet®  
Yarn  Polyethylene  Polyethylene  Polyethylene  Polyester  Polyester  
Denier (D ) ≥150 145D  100D  100D  100D  
Mesh size  6.25 holes/cm2, 
(4mm x 4 mm)  Min. 20 holes/cm2 25 holes/ cm2 Min. 24 holes/ cm2 30 holes/cm2 
Active 
ingredient  Permethrin  Alphacypermethrin  Deltamethrin  Alphacypermethrin  Deltamethrin  
Concentration 
of active 
ingredi ent 2 % w/w ± 5  %            0.55 % w.w. ±  15 % 65 mg/m2 200 mg/m2 55 mg/m2 
Yarn Mono -Filament  Mono -Filament  Mono -Filament  Multi -Filament  Multi -Filament  
Bursting 
strength  350 kPa  Min. 550 kPa  Min 320 kPa.  Min 405 kPa  Min. 350 kPa Min US 307: 201 1 
©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  5 
 Table 4  — Specification for LLIN  with combination materials (PermaNet 3.0)  
 Specifications   
Parameter  Sides  Roof  Test method ( ISO)  
Yarn  75 denier ± 5  % 
Multifilament: 36 filaments (min)  
100 % polyester  100 denier, ± 15 % 
Monofilament yarn  
100 %polyethylene  
Weight is 40 g/m2 ISO 1833  
ISO 2060  
Mesh size  Upper part: 161 holes/inch2  
Lower 70  cm: Mesh size is not applicable, 
as the size of the holes is smaller than the 
hole in the body, and not consistent due to 
strengthening knitting  161 holes/inch2  
 Walls:  
CIPAC  # 333, LN  
Roof:  
CIPAC@333  
Weight  Lower 70cm: This consists of a 
strengthened border for increased 
durability.  
Weight: 40  g/m2 ± 10 % 
Upper part:  
Weight: 30  g/m2 ±1 0 % Weight: 40g/m2± 10%  
 
ISO 3801  
Bursting strength  Lower 70cm: 325 kPa. min  
Upper part: 250  kPa min.  350 kPa min.  ISO 2960; Head size 
7.3 cm  
Fabrication  Warp knitted  Warp Knitted  ISO 8388  
Dimensional stability  Shrinkage: ± 5% Shrinkage: ± 5 % ISO 5077 6A 
Knitting quality  No holes in net material or seams  No holes in net material 
or seams   
Seam  Sewn using 100%polyester thread  Sewn using 100  % 
polyester thread   
Seam strength  Same as net material  
 Same as net material  
 ISO 2960  
Flammability ( Fire 
safety ) Not inflammable (class 1)  Not inflammable (class 
1) 16 CFR Part 1610  
Note   other LLINS meeting the requirements of this Uganda standard (US 307) should be considered as compliant.  
4.1.2 Defects  
4.1.2.1  The mosquito nets  shall be free from any non-acceptable defects.  
4.1.2.2  Defects allowed shall only be classified into major and minor defects as per the relevant Uganda  
standards  
4.2 Sizes and dimensions  for mosquito nets  
4.2.1  Sizes  
The mosquito nets shall be of any of the following sizes : 
(a) X-small ; 
(b) Small ; FDUS 307:201 1 
6 ©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  
 (c) Medium ; 
(d) Large ; and  
(e) X- large . 
4.2.2  Dime nsions  
The dimensions of the mosquito nets shall be as given in table s 5 and 6 for the respective nets . 
Table 5  — Rectangular net dimensions  
Net Size  Width , min, 
cm  Length , min, 
cm  Height , min, 
cm  Surface area, 
m2 
X small  70 180 170 9.76 
Small  100 180 170 11.32  
Medium  130 180 170 12.88  
Large  160 180 170 14.44  
X- Large  190 180 170 16.28  
NOTE  For manufacturers, sizes not conforming with the above dimensions will be considered special orders  
 
Table 6  — Conical nets dimensions  
Net Size  Height , 
cm Circumference  
diameter , 
cm Ring diameter , 
cm Area , 
m2 
Single fitted conical  220 850 60 11.22  
Double fitted conical  250 1050  65 15.02  
Extra double fitted  250 1250  65 17.88  
 
5 Manufacture and workmanship  
5.1 General requirements  
5.1.1  The mosquito net shall be rec tangular or conical in shape unless otherwise agreed between the 
purchaser and the supplier.  
5.1.2  The helm shall be firm and capable of withstanding the normal conditions of use.  
5.2 Reinforcement at bottom  
The bottom edge of the walls shall be stitched , hemmed, given a finished edge or be reinforced.  
Note A sheeting border is sometimes required to improve the lifespan of nets.  US 307: 201 1 
©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  7 
 5.3 Net attachments or tying tapes  
Rectangular nets shall be equipped with non -rusting metal rings ( for example  aluminium), (s ix for 130 cm 
width nets, and eight  for 190 cm) or the same number of reinforced fabric loops. Each ring/loops shall have a 
corresponding string for suspensions.  Conical nets shall be equipped with a  loop/ non-rusting ring with  
sufficient strength .  
5.4 Top support ring 
Conical nets shall  have  a top support ring made of non -rusting metal and which has sufficient strength  to 
withdraw the net when hanged  at the required position.  
6 Packing and labelling  
6.1 Packing  
The packaging material shall be leak proof and sh all be sufficiently large to wrap comp letely the  mosquito net 
bundles. The  individual  nets’ packaging materials should  be biodegradable.  
6.2 Labelling  
6.2.1  General  
The labelling shall include  
(a) a permanent  label attached to the net (tag) ; and  
(b) a pictorial leafl et relating to insecticide treatment and care of nets . 
6.2.2  Label tag  
The label tag attached to the net shall contain the following information : 
(a) type of netting material;  
(b) net dimensions in c entimetres  (height, width and length for rectangular nets, net diameter  and height for 
conical nets and surface area);  
(c) country of origin ; 
(d) name and physical address of the manufacturer and/ or importer/distributor ; 
(e) status of treatment that is , insecticide used, formulation and dosage ;  
(f) the efficacy of the chemical shall be indi cated in term of number of washes ;  
(g) lot/ batch number ; and  
(h) pictograms or simple instructions in accordance with ISO 3758 giving warning to avoid frequent washing, 
high temperature or dry cleaning (solvents), bleaching and exposure to sun light . 
6.2.3  Pictorial l eaflet  
The pictorial leaflet shall contain information relating to insecticide treatment and the care of nets. The 
following information shall appear : FDUS 307:201 1 
8 ©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  
 (a) size in centimetres and surface area in square metres;  
(b) washing instructions in pictograms ( temperature f or washing, no bleach, no ironing, no dry cleaning and 
no tumble ; 
(c) instructions not to leave the net in the sun ; and  
(d) a warning that frequent washing removes the insecticide . 
7 Sampling   
7.1 Lot  
The quantity of mosquito nets delivered to a consignee against  the same dispatch note  shall constitute a lot.  
7.2 Scale of sampling  
7.2.1 Samples shall be tested for each lot for ascertaining its conformity to the requirements of this 
standard . 
7.2.2 The number of piece s to be selected from a lot shall be in accorda nce with Table 7. 
Table  7 – Scale of sampling  
Number of pieces in the lot  Number of pieces to be selected  
Up to 8  
9 to 15  
16 to 25  
26 to 50  
51 and above  2 
3 
4 
5 
7 
 US 307: 201 1 
©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex A  
(normative)  
 
WHO -recommended insecticide s for treatment of textile  materials 
(mosq uito nets  and others)  intended for malaria vector  control  
A.1 Conventional nets 
Insecticides  Formulation1) Dosage2) 
Alpha -cypermethrin  SC 10 % 20 - 40 
Cyfluthrin  EW 5  % 50 
Deltamethrin  SC 1  %; WT 25  %; and WT 25  % + binde r3) 15 - 25 
Etofenprox  EW 10  % 200 
Lambda -cyhalothrin  CS 2.5 % 10 - 15 
Permethrin  EC 10 % 200 - 500 
1) EC - emulsifiable concentrate; EW - emulsion, oil in water; CS - capsule suspension; SC - suspension concentrate; WT - water 
dispersible table  
2) Milligrams of active ingredien t per square metre of netting  
3) K-O TAB 1 -2-3 
 
A.2 Long -lasting treatment  
Product  Product type  Status of WHO recommendation  
ICON_ MAXX  Lambda -cyhalothrin 10  % CS + binder  
Target dose of 50 mg/ m2 Interim  
 
 FDUS 307:201 1 
10 ©UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
[1] Roll Back Malaria - Specificat ion for Netting materials  – WHO publication  
[2] IS 9886: 1981 Indian Standard Specifications  for mosquito nets   
[3] WHO Interim specification 331/LN (July 2006)  
[4] WHO Interim Specification 333/LN (December 2009)  
[5] WHO interim specification 454/LN/1(Oc tober 2009  
 
 FDUS 307:201 1 
UNBS 201 1 – All rights reserved   
 Certification marking  
Products 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 A ct, 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 is 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 Standar ds. 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.  
 
 US 307: 201 1   
 
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