Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-947  

NTB Type

3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)  

NTM Code

B33: Packaging requirements 

Complaint

Uganda rejection of tissue paper manufactured in Kenya by Africa Cotton Industries. Uganda does not allow group packaging of tissue paper as provided for under the EAC harmonised standard.
Uganda have not implemented the EAC harmonized standards therefore the products must conform to Uganda National standard.  

Status note

The 7th East African Standards Committee Technical Management Board (TMB) met on 3rd September 2024 resolved the NTB. The TMB meeting decided that toilet paper should be individually wrapped; and the Group-wrapped (individually unwrapped) toilet paper is permitted to a maximum of 10 pieces and should be clearly labeled NOT TO BE SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. The 7th TMB meeting directed the Standards Management Committee (SMC) to adopt the decision of the TMB in the review of EAS 355: 2017 and present the standards for approval in the next East African Standards Committee (EASC) meeting.
The meeting noted that there is already an applicable standard of 2017 and should remain applicable to facilitate market access provided the product meets the set requirements.  

Progress update note

1. During the RMC meeting held on 10 August 2020, Uganda reported that Uganda has not yet adopted the East African Standard for toilet paper on technical ground and the matter is before the EAC Technical Committee and as such imports of toilet paper into Uganda is subjected to the Uganda Standard for toilet paper i.e. US 126, Toilet paper – Specification.
2.The RMC meeting held on 1 September 2020, was informed that this issue is under discussion at the EAC Standards Committee.
3.The SCTIFI held in September 2020 was informed that the EAC Standard 2017 was reviewed in 2018 where Partner States agreed on all parameters except for packaging. and hence some Partner States went ahead to develop National Standards.The meeting was informed that a meeting was scheduled to take place in November 2020 and hence agreed that discussions with the Standards Committee be finalised by December, 2020.
4.The SCTIFI held in September 2020, was informed that the EAC Standard 2017 was reviewed in 2018 where Partner States agreed on all parameters except for packaging. and hence some Partner States went ahead to develop National Standards.The meeting was informed that a meeting was scheduled to take place in November 2020 and hence agreed that discussions with the Standards Committee be finalised by December, 2020.
5.The RMC meeting held in May 2021 noted that the Republic of Uganda held a Bilateral meeting with Kenya and agreed on a time frame of 1st July 2021 to resolve the NTBs related to Exercise books, Exercise books, and Pharmaceuticals.
6.The Subcommittee met and agreed that Uganda needs to justify the parameter in the standards scientifically, by February 2021.The Standards Committee then referred the NTB to the Technical Committee, which collected data to facilitate consensus on what should be included in the standard. The Technical Committee meeting is ongoing and will deliberate on the data and the way forward.
7. On 5 May 2022, Uganda Focal Point reported that :
The East African Standards Committee/Technical Committee 065 on Paper and paper products failed to reach consensus on one clause in the standards that relates to wrapping. They recommended to the Standards Management Committee to cancel the project and subsequently withdraw the Standard. The SMC discussed the proposal of the TC and agreed to cancel and withdrawal the standard as provided for by the Principles and procedures for development of East African Standards. The just concluded 24th EASC held on 27th to 29th April 2022 rejected withdrawal of EAS 355:2017 Tissue Paper – Specification and directed the SMC to review the Standard with the recommendation that more options be considered in the wrapping clause. Specific consideration be given to the optimum number of Tissue Paper to be group wrapped without compromising the safety of users. SMC to conclude and report back by the 25th EASC meeting.
8. On 14 June 2022, the EAC Secretariat reported that the NTB was considered by the EACSC in a meeting that took place in April 2022. The EASC rejected the withdrawal of EAS 355:2017 Tissue Paper – Specification and directed the SMC to review the Standard with the recommendation that more options be considered in the wrapping clause. Specific consideration is given to the optimum number of Tissue Paper to be group wrapped without compromising the safety of users. SMC to conclude and report back by the 25th EASC meeting.
9.The Republic of Uganda informed the 41st SCTIFI meeting that Kenyan firms producing tissue papers access the Ugandan market, with the exception of only one firm called Africa Cotton Industries which wraps its tissue papers in group packages, and fails to comply with the Ugandan requirement that doesn’t allow group packing of tissue paper. The 41st SCTIFI meeting agreed that EASC should report on this matter to the 42nd SCTIFI meeting.
10. The 34th RMC noted that the issue was still under consideration by the relevant technical committee.
11.The Technical Committee meeting of 13th June 2023 failed to reach consensus on group wrapping and TC agreed to inform the SMC to consider abandoning the work on CDEAS 355-1: 2023, Toilet paper — Specification — Part 1 —Regular toilet tissue paper.
12. The EASC met on 30th October 2023, deliberated on the matter and resolved that the SMC come up with a comprehensive technical paper to be considered by the Technical Management Board (TMB) before mid-November and the findings from TMB be presented to EASC.
13.The NTB is still at the Technical Committee level and once the Technical Committee finalises it will submit its Report through Standards Management Committee to the Technical Management Board for consideration. The matter was discussed during the EASC which was held on 8 - 10 May 2024. The EASC approved a new date for the TMB meeting in October 2024. The two Partner States held a JMC in May 2024 and agreed as follows: i) Both Partner States to implement EAC harmonised standards ii) Uganda to comply with EAC harmonised standards on tissue paper by August 2024 iii) KEBS and UNBS to continue working together  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Uganda: Uganda Bureau of Standards (Government institution)  

Reporting Country or Region

Kenya  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2018-03-01  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2024-11-23  

Product Description

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2020-03-11 10:06  

Modified

2024-11-23 13:54