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UNBS closes factories producing polythene bags below 30 microns

  8th August , 2019 ,       Hits: 691

Kampala, 7th August 2019 – As a measure to enforce government ban on polythene bags below 30 microns, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has closed factories whose polythene bags are below 30 microns contrary to UNBS ACT CAP 327 and clause 4.6 of US 773:2007.

These include Jesco Plastics Limited, Teefe plastics in Kawempe – TulaMoon plastics limited along Bombo road in Kawempe and Earth Quec Enterprises Limited.

The employees of these companies were also found with no proper protective gear as required by UNBS.

The manufacturers were given a grace period of three months ending May 2019 to comply with the set standards.

To further ensure compliance, UNBS has engaged polythene bag manufacturers to discuss the challenges they face and how UNBS can help them comply with the set standards.

One of the challenges was raised in regard to manufacturing polythene bags for export to neighboring countries whose specifications are below 30 microns, yet the standard in Uganda does not allow manufacturing, importing or distributing polythene bags below 30 microns.

In response to this, Linda Kobere, the Principal Surveillance Officer at UNBS said that an exporter should have clear documentation and they are much safer if they have permission from UNBS to produce anything less than the required.

Other challenges included the many certificates to be applied for during certification and how to handle some products that do not require polythene bags above 30 microns.

To this, Ronald Ahimbisibwe, the Principal Certification Officer at UNBS told the manufacturers that the regulation requires certification per product per brand and that schedule 9 of the National Environment Act 2019 caters for the products exempted from using polythene bags above 30 microns. 

Some of the exemptions include polythene for packaging napkins, sanitary pads, baby diapers, wipes, facial tissues, pocket tissues, ESST kitchen towels, C-Fold towels, toilet papers, candy sweets, biscuits, pasta, sugar, salt, rice, candles, soap, detergents and any other food or cosmetic product requiring moisture barrier properties.

Various other challenges raised by the manufacturers were responded to by Uganda National bureau of Standards officials.

The two parties resolved;

About UNBS

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a statutory body responsible for developing and promoting standards, quality products and services to facilitate fair trade, promote local industries and protect consumers.