A Certificate of Approval of Weighing and Measuring Instruments, commonly known as a Pattern Approval, is an official authorization issued by the Department of Weights and Measures under the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). This certificate confirms that a weighing or measuring instrument meets the required technical, safety, and trade accuracy standards before being used or sold in Uganda.
Pattern approval ensures that weighing and measuring devices such as weighing scales, fuel dispensers, and flow meters conform to the Weights and Measures Act (Cap. 103) and cannot be manipulated to defraud consumers or traders.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Step 1: Apply In-Person
Visit the Department of Weights and Measures at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) headquarters. Obtain and fill out the Application for Pattern Approval form available at the office.
Step 2: Prepare and Attach Required Documents
Attach all the necessary documents to your completed form (see the “Required Documents” section below). These must be submitted along with proof of payment of the prescribed fees.
Step 3: Submit the Application
Submit the completed form and all attachments to the Executive Director, Department of Weights and Measures for review.
Step 4: Examination and Testing
Upon receipt, the Executive Director authorizes an examination of the weighing or measuring instrument to determine its suitability for trade use, focusing on:
- Design and construction materials
- Measurement principles
- Accuracy and repeatability
- Resistance to tampering and fraud
Step 5: Approval or Rejection
If the equipment passes the examination, a Certificate of Approval is issued. The certificate may include conditions regulating the use or modification of the approved instrument.
If the instrument fails to meet standards, the applicant will be notified of the deficiencies for rectification.
Step 6: Issuance of Certificate
The approved weighing or measuring device receives a Certificate of Pattern Approval valid for five years. Once granted, the equipment can legally be used or sold in Uganda.
Required Documents
- Application letter addressed to the Executive Director, indicating the model number of the equipment.
- Certificate of approval or conformity from the country of origin (for imported equipment).
- Original technical user manuals or brochures describing operation and specifications.
- Banker’s cheque or payment proof of applicable approval fees payable to the Executive Director, Weights and Measures.
- Drawings or schematics of the weighing/measuring instrument.
- Any additional documentation requested by the approving authority.
Office Locations & Contacts
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) – Headquarters
Plot 2–12, Bypass Link, Industrial & Business Park, Kampala
P.O. Box 6329, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 417 333 250
Toll-Free: 0800 133 133
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.unbs.go.ug
Eligibility
Any individual or company that owns or imports a weighing or measuring instrument intended for trade use in Uganda is eligible to apply for pattern approval.
Fees
| Type of Instrument or Service | Fee (UGX) |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | 350,000 |
| Electronic Equipment Approval | 200,000 |
| Mechanical License Fee | Free |
| Weight ≤ 2kg | 200 |
| Weight >2kg ≤ 20kg | 400 |
| Weight >20kg ≤ 100kg | 2,000 |
| Weight >100kg | 4,000 |
| Length ≤ 1m | 500 |
| Length >1m ≤ 5m | 1,000 |
| Length >5m ≤ 30m | 1,500 |
| Length >30m | 3,000 |
| Capacity ≤ 500ml | 1,500 |
| Capacity >500ml ≤ 5L | 2,000 |
| Capacity >5L ≤ 20L | 3,000 |
| Capacity >20L ≤ 100L | 8,000 |
| Dip Stick Testing | 40,000 |
| Automatic Weighing ≤ 2kg | 5,000 |
| Automatic Weighing >2kg ≤ 10kg | 7,000 |
| Automatic Weighing >10kg ≤ 100kg | 20,000 |
| Automatic Weighing >100kg | 40,000 |
Validity
The Certificate of Approval is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue, after which revalidation or renewal is required.
Processing Time
Processing time varies depending on the type and complexity of the weighing or measuring instrument, as laboratory verification and field testing may be required.
Instructions
- All applicants must submit instruments for testing at their own cost, including labor, materials, and storage.
- Any person producing or selling unapproved measuring equipment commits an offense under the Weights and Measures Act (Cap. 103) and may face a fine or imprisonment.
- Equipment with a Pattern Approval Certificate from another EAC Member State must undergo initial verification before being placed on the Ugandan market.
Required Information
- Name of the applicant
- Description and type of instrument
- Maximum and minimum capacities
- Verification scale interval
- Software or firmware identification (if applicable)
- Description of metrologically relevant functions
Need for the Document
The Certificate of Approval of Weighing and Measuring Instruments certifies that a device complies with Uganda’s trade measurement standards. It ensures:
- Accuracy and fairness in commercial transactions
- Protection of consumers and businesses from fraudulent measurement practices
- Compliance with international and regional metrology standards
Information Which Might Help
- Pattern approval involves intensive technical testing for accuracy, repeatability, durability, and safety.
- Approval protects users and manufacturers by certifying that the device meets national and international standards.
- Initial verification is mandatory before the equipment can be used in commerce or industry.
Summary
Obtaining a Certificate of Approval of Weighing and Measuring Instruments in Uganda ensures that all measuring tools used in trade are safe, accurate, and legally compliant. The process, managed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, promotes consumer trust and fair trade while aligning Uganda with international metrology practices.
