Uganda bureau of standards is alert

Oct 09, 2008

EDITOR—I refer to Mr Richard Mukasa’s letter entitled “Uganda full of fake goods” published on October 2. The letter implies that the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has not executed its mandate effectively.

EDITOR—I refer to Mr Richard Mukasa’s letter entitled “Uganda full of fake goods” published on October 2. The letter implies that the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has not executed its mandate effectively.

As a national regulatory body for quality and standards, UNBS is dedicated to its mandate of developing and enforcing standards to protect consumers. We would like to inform the public that UNBS put in place a market surveillance team to ensure consumers are protected from sub-standard and expired products. In 2007 alone, UNBS impounded fake goods worth billions of shillings which were destroyed and some of the offenders prosecuted.

UNBS has also opened many avenues for sensitising civil society organisations and consumer goods groups about standardisation and enhancement of fair trade. For example, we are carrying out sensitisation seminars on hygiene in the salon industry and how to avoid buying fake hair products.

In order to further strengthen the prohibition of substandard goods into the country, UNBS has proposed to the ministry of trade the pre verification of conformity scheme under which goods will be certified from their county of origin.

The scheme is intended to block importation of fake goods into the country. For more information contact us on unbs@infocom.co.ug or 256-414-380502.

Barbara Kamusiime
Public Relations officer
Uganda National Bureau of Standards

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