Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B82: Testing requirement 

Date when the measure came into force

01 January 2015 

Publication where the measure is specified

The control of agricultural chemicals Act, statutory Instrument 29-1 

Regulation where the measure is specified

The control of Agricultural Chemicals (regulations control) regulations 

Country/Region applying the measure

Uganda 

The rationale of the measure

for efficacy, suitability and safety 

Coded list of objectives

A: Protection of human life and health, C: Protection of life and health of plants and E: Protection of the environment 

Description of the measure

8. Application for registration of agricultural chemical.
(1) An application for registration of an agricultural chemical shall be made to the board in Form A in the First Schedule.
(2) The application shall be accompanied by—
(a) five copies of the label for the agricultural chemical or duly certified copies of it;
(b) samples of—
(i) the agricultural chemical for official testing, evaluation and screening;
(ii) the technical grade of the agricultural chemical’s active ingredients;
(iii) the laboratory standard of the agricultural chemical’s active ingredients;
(c) information regarding—
(i) the technical knowledge of the applicant;
(ii) a certified application dosage and prescribed usage of the agricultural chemical;
(iii) the expiry date or the shelf life and date of manufacture of the agricultural chemical;
(iv) Re entry and pre harvest intervals;
(v) the corrosive effects of the agricultural chemical;
(vi) antidotes and first-aid treatment recommended in case of accidental poisoning;
(vii) special protective clothing required in respect of the use of the agricultural chemical; and
(d) such other information or matter as the board may require.
(3) An applicant not resident in Uganda shall apply through an agent who is a permanent (or who is ordinarily) resident in Uganda
14. Testing of agricultural chemicals.
(1) Candidate agricultural chemicals shall be tested by competent scientists in institutions such as universities, research institutes and companies authorised by the board, for efficacy, suitability and safety.
(2) Applications for testing candidate agricultural chemicals shall be made to the board.
(3) A fee shall be charged for covering the costs of testing and for partial registration as determined, from time to time, by the board but not less than two million shillings. A temporary certificate for registration shall be issued to the applicant in Form C of the First Schedule to these Regulations.
(4) The company applying for the tests shall submit samples to the board in quantities enough to complete the tests.
(5) The samples shall be submitted by the company in code numbers, and trade names and generic (common) names for the formulation, accompanied by a sample of 100 percent technical material.
(6) The company responsible for the agricultural chemical shall not canvass, influence or seek to know or deal directly with the research staff team or personnel testing the candidate agricultural chemical.
(7) The board shall appoint a researcher or researchers to test the candidate agricultural chemical following specified guidelines.
(8) The agricultural chemical shall be tested for a minimum of three crop growing seasons or six months for animals, both in the laboratory and different field locations in Uganda to cover all the appropriate ecological zones.
(9) The company submitting the candidate agricultural chemical shall provide all technical information necessary to guide the testing process, that is, toxicity, environment, LD, MRLs and tolerance levels and any other relevant information.
(10) The researcher shall gather, analyse and compile test data into a
technical report.
(11) The technical report shall be submitted to the board through the agricultural chemicals control technical committee.
(12) The decision of the board on the report shall be communicated to the company responsible for the candidate agricultural chemical and to the office of the registrar for necessary action.
(13) The researcher shall prepare technical communications and recommendations in respect of the approved chemicals.
(14) Agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides, shall be recommended for the control of specific pests on all host crops rather than being recommended for use on specific crops except for phytotoxity and residue considerations.
15. Reporting.
(1) All test result reports shall be confidential and available to the Government and the requisitioning company only.
(2) No publication of the results in the report shall be made without permission of the board.
(3) The technical communication and recommendation is the only information to be made public.
16. Approval.
(1) All test result reports shall be submitted to the Board.
(2) The agricultural chemical control technical committee shall receive and study the report and advise the board as the committee considers fit.
(3) Approval shall be granted or denied to an agricultural chemical within six months from the end of the period required for testing.
(4) The board shall be the sole authority to release the results.
(5) The company responsible for the candidate chemical shall be informed of the board’s decision within six months after the expiry of the test period. 

Reference of the measure

Part II section 8(2), part III Sections 14-16 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Agricultural Chemicals 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries