The Q mark to become mandatory: Why it matters to you and me

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) plans to implement the UNBS Enforcement of Compulsory Standard Specifications Regulations in the 2017/2018 financial year. These regulations are in line with the UNBS mandate and will declare a distinctive mark, in accordance with Section 18 of the UNBS Act (Cap 327), to be affixed on all products whose standards have been declared compulsory.
To date, more than 1209 standards issued by UNBS are referred to as compulsory standards and have been declared as such in the National Gazette. These standards specify requirements for commodities/products necessary to protect the safety, health and life of citizens, plants, animals and the environment plus prevent deceptive practices during trade.
Under the regulations, the Quality Mark, popularly known as the Q mark, shall be declared as a distinctive mark and shall be affixed on all imported and locally manufactured products whose standards have been declared compulsory prior to sale on the Ugandan market or distribution in Uganda or abroad.
An importer or manufacturer who intends to bring into the country or manufacture a commodity covered by a compulsory standard specification in Uganda shall apply to the bureau to be registered and authorised to use the Q mark. Upon application, UNBS and/or its service providers shall undertake conformity assessment of the products and processes (where applicable) to verify compliance to the applicable standards’ requirements. If the products comply, a permit to use the Q mark shall be issued (for local manufacturers) or the number of Q mark /Import Standardisation mark stickers equivalent to the number of pieces of the products (for importers) shall be issued.

Specified requirements
The regulations specify requirements to be met by domestic manufacturers, foreign manufacturers and importers. Twelve categories of commodities covered by compulsory standards that require registration of the manufacturing facility and certification of commodities before manufacture or importation are listed. These include: Steel products, cement, building lime and other hydraulic binders, pneumatic tyres and tubes for automotive vehicles and trailers, protective safety equipment, gas cylinders, valves and regulators, lighting equipment, electronic sound and communication equipment, high risk foods and chemicals/cosmetics products and alcoholic products.
Additionally, eleven categories of commodities covered by compulsory standards that require registration of the manufacturing facility and certification of commodities before manufacture for local manufacturers, but may not require registration of manufacturing facility before importation are listed. These include: Toys, electrical appliances and electronics, automotive products and inputs, chemical products, mechanical materials and gas appliances, textiles, leather, plastics and rubber, furniture (wood and metal articles), paper and stationery, protective safety equipment, food and food products, and used products including used motor vehicles. The commodities lists will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis based on risk assessment and available information.

Sensitisation
Stakeholder engagements on the regulations have been on-going with consultative workshops held in October 2016 at the Uganda Manufacturers Association grounds in Kampala for government ministries, departments and agencies manufacturers, importers, clearing agents and consumers. More stakeholder engagements are planned across Uganda in the coming months.
Under the current UNBS conformity assessment activities, UNBS implements the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (Certification) Regulations, 1995.
However, the Uganda Standards Certification Mark (Q mark) scheme is voluntary. UNBS also currently implements the Standards Mark (S mark) registration scheme that is mandatory for local manufacturers. It is important to note that all products under both schemes and the non-certified products on the market are expected to comply with the requirements of compulsory standards.
The proposed regulations will ‘level the playing field’ in the market as both locally manufactured and imported products will bear the Q mark as a distinctive mark upon compliance to applicable compulsory standards requirements.

Consumer protection
These regulations will enhance protection of consumer health and safety by making it easy for consumers to identify products that have been assessed and that comply with standards. This will facilitate market surveillance activities by UNBS and other regulatory authorities as more feedback will be received from consumers and it will be easier to track and trace products that have not been registered and/or authorised to bear the distinctive mark.

Other benefits
Further benefits are expected related to improved quality of products and greater access to East African Community regional markets for Ugandan products with Q mark certification.
This scheme will also directly support the Buy Uganda Build Uganda policy with the quality of locally manufactured products assured through compliance to standards and rigorous quality checks and certification.

Standards explained
What standards are
Standards are documents that contain technical and other requirements that products and services have to comply with. These requirements could include design, material, performance, manufacturing and testing requirements, including packaging and labeling. Standards are the result of a consultative process involving all interested parties in a consensus manner. They are a representation of the current state of technology. They are updated to ensure their continuous applicability. Generally every five years published standards are reviewed and either re-affirmed, revised or withdrawn.
How they are developed
Standards are developed by bringing together all interested stakeholders such as manufactures, sellers, buyers, users and regulators of a particular material, product, process or service. Development of Uganda Standards is carried out through technical committees consisting of representatives of all stakeholders. Drafts are widely circulated to stakeholders and the general public for comments for necessary input. Standards are developed on a demand basis and the need for a new standard can be initiated by an individual, a manufacturer, or government; for instance, industry might be regulated to protect workers or consumers.