Following several complaints from the general public about under-filled cylinders of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has sounded a warning to all dealers to abide by the legal standards.

UNBS called out all importers of LPG, owners of LPG cylinders, filling plants, owners of LPG outlets, and other LPG dealers during a webinar last week to abide by the legal measures and provisions.

During a recent market survey by UNBS within the areas of Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono, it was discovered that 35% of the LPG importers, owners of LPG cylinder, filling plants, and other dealers are contrarily trading to the weights and measures according to the sale and Labelling of Goods’ Rule 8,2007 and statutory instrument No 36 3007 respectively.

Mucunguzi Franklin, Legal Metrologist UNBS

According to UNBS, the general public should look out for specific details like product name "LPG" which is mandatory when purchasing Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and report dealers of sub-standard products.

According to UNBS’ Legal Metrologist Franklin Mucunguzi, the cylinders should be consistently labelled with the same quantity and company name and the names and addresses of the dealers of the various brands should be spelled out clearly.

“With rising LPG industry profits, there's a rising temptation for a class of non-compliant “entrepreneurs” to attempt to enter the LPG market illegally, without adhering to market rules about fair competition, respect for Property rights & safety said Mucunguzi.

Mucunguzi said all the gas cylinders should have the product name " LPG" which is mandatory and the net quantity, tare weight, and gross weight should be of the different fonts and sizes for easy identification.

Although not a requirement, Mucunguzi said, “The relative density of the BP mixture should be reported as it is needed to ascertain permissible maximum vapour pressure.”

“The permissible vapour pressure of products classified as BP mixtures shall not exceed 1430 kPa and labeling should either be done by engraving or marking paint as a marker, one clear and easier to read”, he added.

Eng. John Paul Musimami, Deputy Executive Director Compliance, UNBS says that LPG as are packed in cylinders in the consumers’ absence. So, the regulator intervenes to ensure that quality & quantity is okay, the cylinders are secure & have no leakages because consumers need to get safe goods & Value for money.

“Regulatory interventions are very important because they ensure fairness in trade; Consumers need to get value for money and the seller too should not be cheated”, he added.