THE COOKSTOVE

STANDARDISATION AND
CERTIFICATION MANUAL

Prepared for

Rural Country Development

Organization (RUCODE)
P. O. Box 203, Kamuli, Uganda

By:
Jackson Mutegeki,
Nyabyeya Forestry College
Mob: +256773199270
jmutegeki@gmail.com

October 2021
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.........................................................................................................ii
FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................ iii
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL ..............................................................................................iv
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Purpose of the Clean Cookstove Standardisation and Certification Manual: ................ 1
CHAPTER TWO: COOKSTOVE STANDARDISATION......................................................... 2
2.1 Definition of a standard ................................................................................................ 2
2.2 The Uganda Standard for Household Cookstoves ....................................................... 2
2.3.1 Manufacturing Requirements .................................................................................... 2
2.3.2 Performance requirements ........................................................................................ 3
2.3.3 Safety Requirements................................................................................................. 3
2.3.4 Durability Requirements ............................................................................................ 3
2.3.5 Product Description, User Instructions and Safety Precautions ................................. 4
2.3.6 Packaging ................................................................................................................. 4
2.3.7 Labeling .................................................................................................................... 4
CHAPTER THREE: BASIC OVERVIEW OF A TYPICAL COOKSTOVE ............................... 5
3.1 The 6 Main Stove Sections .......................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER FOUR: BASIC GUIDELINES FOR A FIXED INSTITUTIONAL COOKSTOVE ... 14
4.1 Key features of institutional cook stoves ............................................................... 15
4.2 Technical drawings ............................................................................................... 15
4.3. Improved Institutional Stove Construction Process ................................................... 16
CHAPTER FIVE: THE COOKSTOVE CERTIFICATION PROCESS ................................... 22
5.1 Certification ................................................................................................................ 22
5.2 The Uganda National Bureau of standards (UNBS) ................................................... 22
5.3 UNBS Certification Process ....................................................................................... 23
5.4 Process steps ............................................................................................................ 24
5.5 Certification fees as of Sept 2021: ............................................................................. 25
5.6 Terms of payment ...................................................................................................... 25
5.7 Uganda National Bureau of Standards: Online Application Procedure ....................... 26
CHAPTER SIX: THE TRAINING GUIDE ............................................................................. 39
Annexes .............................................................................................................................. 41
Annex 1: Stove production assessment checklist............................................................. 41

i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the Civil Society in Uganda

Support Programme (CUSP) funded by the European Union and the
German Government and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH for the support
rendered to RUCODE to come up with a Clean Cook Stove
Standardization and Certification Manual.

Since RucUCODE has been promoting cookstoves in various areas, this document shall
promote the growth of the organization. The Board Members, Management and staff shall
work harmoniously in the promotion of the values of the organization as they serve the
community.

I wish to congratulate the Board Members and staff for actively engaging the consultants
while the document was being formulated which promotes their ownership. This document
shall form a critical resource for promoting RUCODE’s agenda and contribution to the
development agenda of Uganda since it is aligned with the Vision, Mission and Goals of the
organization.

I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Consultant Jackson Mutegeki for providing us
with all the necessary facilities for the trainings. We are also very grateful for the provision of
expertise, and technical support in the facilitation techniques, capacity building approach,
training methodology and work plan implementation.

Without his superior knowledge and experience, the project would lack in quality of
outcomes, and thus his support has been essential.

Finally, we sincerely extend our gratitude to Mr. Wabwire Joseph the Technical Advisor
Energy GIZ (CUSP) for the continuous advice and support provided in the production of this
Clean Cook Stove Standardization and Certification Manual.
Many thanks to Ms. Janine Baudach, the Hub Coordinator Mbale CUSP Office, for her
oversight and support to have this Clean Cook Stove Standardization and Certification
Manual in place. We are grateful indeed for the financial and logistical support and for
providing necessary guidance concerning projects implementation.

Menya Muzamiru
Chief Executive Officer
Rural Country Development Organization
(RUCODE)

ii
FOREWORD

The formulation of a Clean Cook Stoves Manual is a milestone in

the growth of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Uganda.
The Board of RUCODE has embraced it and is determined to see
its implementation for the success of the organization. This
document is key today since it is the future direction of the
organization and guarantees its success. The organization
existence should be the pride of the stakeholders and the
community because of the role it plays in their lives.
The Clean Cook Stove Manual will help the organization consolidate her achievements from
the previous support. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen resources been diverted more to
address emerging needs as a result and the Board has to actively engage in resource
mobilization for the organization to run her programs. We as a Board and staff are proud of
what we have achieved and we wish to build on the VSLA groups, group savings to start the
commercial arms of the organization of sell of clean cooking stoves which are
environmentally friendly.

In conclusion, we assure the development partners, community and other stakeholders

about our resolve to ensure effective implementation of the Clean Cook Stoves
Standardization and Certification Manual. We seek the support of other stakeholders since
they also have a role to play for the success of this very important undertaking for the
success of the organization and the beneficiaries.

I wish to appreciate the support from the European Union and the German Government
through the Civil Society in Uganda Support Programme (CUSP) which enabled us to get
the document formulated and we shall take up the implementation.

Dr. Yeko Mwanga

Chairperson Board of Directors
Rural Country Development Organization
(RUCODE)

iii
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
This manual is designed purposely for sensitization about cookstove standardization and
certification. This therefore implies that by the end of the training (using this manual),
Participants should clearly be able to;
• Articulate the requirements of the Uganda standard for cookstoves
• Illustrate the key features of a standard cookstove
• be acquainted with the certification process and its requirements

Therefore, the use of this manual should be simplified by facilitators to match the level of
literacy, ensuring that the language used and the approach to sensitization suit their context.
Pictorials and illustrations should be used in explanations.
The manual is to be followed as has been arranged, depicting the entire process.
The user of the manual should be able to translate or find a translator to speak in the most
appropriate language of the participants.
Below is the 4 stage process that may be adopted in the use of the manual:

1. Start by defining and profiling the target Audience:

Use of this manual begins with describing the target audience and profiling it. The
profiling process will enable the trainer understand the unique needs of the targeted
persons
For instance, Profiling stove producers the detailed profiling would go as follows:
• Gender ratio:
• Are they permanent residents of the area?
• Level of Education:
• Languages Spoken:
• Their general perspective of the cookstove business, challenges, their proposed
solutions.
• Explore their understanding of the environment and effects of deforestation and
their responsibility:
• Age range of the participants, etc.
This profiling exercise will enable trainers to determine areas of emphasis, and style
of sensitization.

2. Apply the Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) as an approach/model:

• Under this training model, the trainees participate actively, with support of visual
aids. This process aims at having collective analysis and learning.
• This approach is effective for communities with limited or no literacy.
• The perspectives of the trainees are a critical part of the training process, thus this
approach enables the unlocking of their ideas not only on the nature and causes of
the issues that affect them, but also on realistic solutions in light of the available
information and technologies.
This participatory Approach will enable participants to;
• Share their perceptions.
• Identify, prioritize and appraise issues from their knowledge of local conditions.

iv
 This process enables the adoption of homemade solutions to their local context
problems, therefore acting as a catalyst for the community themselves to act on what
is uncovered.
The Participatory approach enables participation, regardless of their gender, age,
and ethnicity or literacy capabilities.

3. Enhance Participation by having practical exercises: This will involve;

• Asking participants to tell a short story of their experience as cookstove
manufacturers
• This would then be followed by an outdoor walk through the entire process (Where
they see practically what they are being taught).

4. Hold Pre-workshop and post workshop evaluation:

All participants will be assessed for their level of knowledge on the topics of the
training workshop before and after.

5. Carrying away:
At the end of the training, all participants will carry information packs that summarize
what they have learnt and with reference documents.

v
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Uganda faces a biomass energy crisis marked by an increasing imbalance between
the supply and the demand for the firewood by households, institutions and
industries. One of the most effective strategies to sustainably contribute towards the
reduction of this problem is through an extensive dissemination of improved
cookstoves.

The improved cookstoves have been developed to improve energy efficiency for
households and institutions. They include the domestic and institutional stoves.
These cookstoves have a higher efficiencies compared to the traditional
counterparts.

In July 2019 Uganda adopted its national standard for cookstoves - US 761:2019
Household Biomass stoves requirements. Despite this development, many stove
producers are not aware about the certification process and their stoves are not up
to the required standard.
In a bid to acquire knowledge about cookstove standardisation and certification,
RUCODE, with support from GIZ, engaged a consultant to develop a Clean
Cookstove Standardisation and Certification Manual and to provide training to
RUCODE staff in cookstove standardisation and certification.

1.2 Purpose of the Clean Cookstove Standardisation and

Certification Manual:
This manual is designed purposely for sensitization about the cookstove standard
and certification process. This therefore implies that by the end of the training,
participants should clearly be able to;
• Articulate the requirements of the Uganda standard for cookstoves
• Illustrate the key features of a typical cookstove
• understand the certification process and its requirements

1
CHAPTER TWO: COOKSTOVE STANDARDISATION
2.1 Definition of a standard
A standard is a published document that has technical specifications or
requirements. Standards can be voluntary or mandatory:
a) Mandatory standards are standards whose compliance is compulsory and
therefore enforceable.
b) Mandatory standards are used to govern products which have impact on health,
safety and environment.

2.2 The Uganda Standard for Household Cookstoves

In July 2019 the Uganda adopted its national standard for cookstoves - US
761:2019: Household Biomass stoves requirements.
This Uganda Standard specifies the classification, technical requirements,
performance requirements safety requirements and test methods of biomass
cookstoves intended for use in households. It is applicable to cookstoves using solid
biomass.
2.3 Uganda standard - Requirements1
2.3.1 Manufacturing Requirements
• The stove shall have good finish without burrs (rough or sharp edges) or rust
outside.
• The stove or any of its parts may be manufactured using different materials and/or
methods.
• Castings shall have a good finish and without cracks, stomata (holes) and sand
holes.
• Weldments shall be flat and uniform without perforations and slag stomata.
• Stamped parts shall have a good finish without cracks, wrinkles, flashes and
burrs.
• Sheet metal surfaces and edges shall have a good finish without cracks, wrinkles,
bumps and any type of imperfection.
• Riveted pieces shall be firmly attached and the rivets shall not be loose and/or
skewed.
• Rivet heads shall be smooth and shall not protrude.
• For stoves made of different parts such as ceramic core and a metal cladding, the
parts shall be firmly assembled.
• For stoves that have insulation material, such material shall be environment
friendly and non-hazardous to human health.
• Ceramic parts shall have a good finish without cracks and voids.

1
Uganda Standard US 761 Second Edition 2019-3-26: Household biomass stoves — Requirements

2
2.3.2 Performance requirements2
Carbonized and uncarbonized biomass fuelled stoves shall comply with the
performance criteria given in Table 1 when tested.

Table 1 — Performance criteria for carbonized and uncarbonized biomass

fuelled stoves
Criteria Type of stove

Carbonized Uncarbonized
Efficiency, ηc , %, min. 30 25
Emission factor, max PM2.5, mg/MJ 250 386
CO, g/MJ 16 12
Safety, %, (minimum) 72 72
Durability, %, (minimum) 70 70

2.3.3 Safety Requirements

• The difference between the maximum surface temperature and the ambient air
temperature shall be less than 45 ºC when tested in line with the Uganda
standard.
• The stove shall be stable on a flat surface
• For surfaces which in normal use have to be touched for short periods, for
example handles, the difference between maximum temperature and air
temperature shall not exceed 38 ºC when tested in line with the Uganda
standard.
• Flames touching the cookpot shall be concealed and not able to come into
contact with hands or clothing.
• Flames or fuel embers shall not protrude from any fuel loading area, storage
container or flow-pipes during use.
• If the cookstove with a chimney gets too hot during use, a shield shall be
employed to increase safety.
• For a stove with a chimney: The chimney shall exit outside the dwelling, and
ensure the smooth flow of exhaust, and there shall be no smoke leakage.
• The stove with electrical fans shall meet electrical safety measures.

2.3.4 Durability Requirements

• When subjected to the durability test in line with the Uganda standard, the
stove shall maintain its basic structure and stability and shall not have broken
parts, cracks and warping.
• The cookstove shall have a lifespan of at least two years under normal use.

2
Uganda Standard US 761 Second Edition 2019-3-26: Household biomass stoves — Requirements

3
2.3.5 Product Description, User Instructions and Safety
Precautions
• The cookstove shall be supplied with a suitable form of user
instructions and safety precautions.
• The manufacturer/supplier shall provide documentation giving a
detailed description corresponding to the stove provided.
Information to be provided shall include:
a) parts and assembly instructions, where applicable;
b) user instructions;
c) dimensions and mass; and
d) fuel type

2.3.6 Packaging

• Stoves shall be packaged in suitable packages that shall protect

them during normal handling, transportation and storage.
• The package shall contain the following information/documentation:
a) name and address of manufacturer;
b) user instructions;
c) safety instructions;
d) parts list; and
e) gross and net weight.

2.3.7 Labeling
• The stove shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the following information:
a) name of the manufacturer and or trademark;
b) country of origin;
c) stove classification
d) nominal cooking power;
e) serial/ batch number and year of manufacture; and
f) Reference to this Uganda Standard.

4
CHAPTER THREE: BASIC OVERVIEW OF A TYPICAL COOKSTOVE
UNBS cannot pronounce itself on a stove type or design. This is basically to promote innovation which is one of the core values of
UNBS. What the standard does is to set minimum conditions which a stove must conform to have them accepted for distribution.
Although there are many different cookstoves in Uganda, many are not improved cookstoves. This chapter is specific to a proven
stove design. The information contained within this manual gives specific guidelines and recommendations.
Proper tool use and the type of material used all play a major role in the manufacturing business. It is important to follow instructions
given in this manual to ensure that quality is maintained throughout the manufacturing process.

Source: Impact carbon 2014

5
3.1 The 6 Main Stove Sections

The six main stove sections

The improved cookstove can be broken
down into 6 major sections

1. The top deck

2. The Liner
3. The loose insulation (heat shield)
4. The body
5. Doors
6. The loose insulation

The cost analysis in this document is

compiled from a combination of
information from previous reports as Doors
well as an estimate of unit cost per part
including labour. The numbers shown
reflect the cost of a size two stove.

Source: Impact carbon 2014

6
 1. The Top
Comprised of 5 separate sheet metal
parts and 8-14 rivets.
This can be considered one of the most
important parts of the stove.
Approximate cost (UGX)
26 Gauge top deck (x1)
26 Gauge top ring (x1)
0.8mm pot supports (x3)
Rivet (x11)
Red paint
Thinner
Labour (fabrication)
Labour (paint)
Total
Source: Impact carbon 2014
Pot supports should not protrude more than
one centimetre past the liner to prevent being
exposed to the full heat of the charcoal
Top deck is not to be
smaller than the liner
diameter to ensure that it
remains out of the direct
1283 heater
406
285
99
187 It is important that the interior diameter of the
60 top is not smaller than the diameter of the liner.
450 If this happens extreme heating and cooling
20 cycles occur, increasing corrosion significantly.
Any corrosion resistance that existed
2810 previously burns off within the first few uses.
High heat generated from above leads to
excessive corrosion of the top deck which in
turn causes the pot supports to collapse and
makes the stove to be less efficient or
unstable.
7
 2. The Liner

Comprised of one-piece kiln fire ceramic.

This can be also considered one of the most
important parts of this stove.
Optimal mixture is 40% clay, 40% mica and 20%
sawdust.
The key to a quality liner is a proper mixture of
40% clay, 40% mica, and 20% sawdust. This
combination must be mixed thoroughly to ensure
even distribution of the materials. Consistency is
also highly important.
Liners with a combination of thick and thin walls
will not fire evenly in a kiln and can lead to un
reliable liners.

Liners should be left to dry for at least three

weeks prior to firing. Ideally a kiln should be used
for firing, however, if no kiln is available, liners
can be fired within a barrel with wood and
charcoal. The idea is to bring the liners up to as
high temperature as possible but at a very
gradual pace. Heating too quickly will shock the
liners, making them to release moisture too
quickly and resulting into cracks.
Approximate cost (UGX)
Clay (40%) 54
Mica (40%) 20 Liners should be made with holes that are
Sawdust (20%) 200 tapered outward from the top to bottom to
Kiln firewood 183 prevent any charcoal from clogging the air inlets
during stove use.
Mixing 50
Transportation
(Per liner clay mica and sawdust) 117.6
Labour (mouldling +firing) 250
Total: 794.6

Source: Impact carbon 2014

8
 3. Loose insulation

Comprised of one piece of sheet metal,

loose parked insulation (mica, sand,
cement) an insulation and a cement
floor
Loose fill should be distributed around the heat shield
as evenly as possible. Excessive stove body
temperatures and considerable heat loss results Iess
efficient stove.

The heat shield supports the liner during assembly. It

is imperative that special consideration is taken when
cutting the shield to the correct height. If it is too short,
a gap between the top of the liner and the top deck is
created. Over time this gap leads to unevenness,
excessive corrosion and eventual failure.

Approximate cost (UGX) This gap mentioned above traps heat underneath the
32-gauge heat shield (x1) 398 stove top, superheating the top shortly into the cooking
Cement (x1) 300 cycle.
Sand (x1) 33 This heat then transfers down the stove body, making
Mica (x1) 42 the paint soft and eventually, the handles unusable.
Labour (assembly) 200

Total 973

Source: Impact carbon 2014

9
 4. Handles
Comprised of two metal parts and 8
rivets

Handles should be fastened with great care. A

completed stove is heavy and can become
dangerous if a handle if a handle were to come loose
while the stove is being carried.

If a handle becomes loose and separates from the

stove, the old hammer rivet can be drilled out and
replaced with a pop rivet so that the stove can be
Approximate cost (UGX) more easily repaired.
2nd-gauge handle (x2) 454
Rivets (x8) 72
Red paint 50
Thinner 32
Labour (fabrication) 90
Labour (paint) 11

Total 708

Source: Impact carbon 2014

10
 5. The body
Comprised of 3 separate pieces of sheet
metal and 5-6 rivets. This is including the
stove bottom and the bottom ring.
For added strength, ribs should be rolled
into the body near the bottom and the top
of the stove. This should be made with a
bed roller

The ribs are added after the stove body

has been hammered and fastened to itself
via a flange joint. The ribs also help to
ensure the flanges maintain their strength.
Approximate cost (UGX)
28-gauge stove body (x1) 2385
Bottom ring (x1) 1250
Rivets (x6) 54
30-gauge bottom (x1) 883
Yellow paint 387
Thinner 75
Labour (fabrication) 350
Labour (paint) 20

Total 5404

Source: Impact carbon 2014

11
 6. Door
Comprised of four sheet metal
parts, two metal wire hinges, and 3-
4 rivets.

It is important that doors be made from the

specified material gauge as they are the
most vulnerable part on the stove during
day-to-day use. Door styles can be
changed to better suit the user or
manufacturer as long as the stove openings
stays within the measured guidelines.

Doors should be made with great care to

ensure proper fit to the stove. The door acts
as a throttle to regulate how much air
reaches the coals and in turn how hot the
Approximate cost (UGX) stove is. By closing the door, you are
26-gauge large door 214 throttling down the stove to a simmer
26-gauge small door 61 function. This will not be achieved unless
26-gauge large hinge 37 doors are properly fitted.
26-gauge small hinge 18
Rivets (x4) 36
Door hinge wire (x2) 140
Red paint 30
Thinner 55
Labour (Paint/fabrication) 230
Total (UGX) 821

Source: Impact carbon 2014

12
Note:
The cost analysis within this document is compiled from a combination from previous reports
as well as guess estimate of cost per individualized part and labour. The numbers shown
reflect the costs of size two stove.
As with most products, the manufacturing cost of the stoves will vary due to location,
suppliers, quantities etc. It is important to research suppliers to ensure that you are able to
get the best possible prices for the material needed. Keeping the material costs down and
being efficient with their use will ensure you are able to generate sufficient profit margins. It
is important however that you continue to use the proper gauges outlined within this manual.
There will be many opportunities to cut corners, however, to be truly successful, you must
maintain the quality of stoves being produced.

13
CHAPTER FOUR: BASIC GUIDELINES FOR A FIXED INSTITUTIONAL COOKSTOVE

The Uganda standard for cookstove focuses on household cook stoves. Standards for
Institutional cook stoves are being worked upon. In the mean time for institutional cook
stoves, it advised to use the guidelines presented below which have been gathered from
different authors.
This section is specific to a proven stove design though other designs can be formulated to fit
preferences. The information contained within this manual gives specific guidelines,
dimensions and recommendations. Proper tool use and the type of material used all play a
major role in the construction process. It is important to follow instructions given in this
manual to ensure that quality is maintained throughout the manufacturing process.

Source: Pees, 2018

14
4.1 Key features of institutional cook stoves
1. The stoves should be strong/ heat insulated, water proof with recommended
combustion chamber dimensions as detailed in appendix 1. The rocket elbow design
with bypass air-inlet geometry may be followed.
2. The stove masonry structure should be constructed using perforated (selected) clay
bricks bonded with mortar of ratio 1:3 cement to sand.
3. The stove should contain an exhaust gas chimney to release the exhaust gases
outside the kitchen. The chimney may be insulated with clay pipes in order to protect
the stove users from burns.
4. The combustion chambers shall have an air-inlet
5. The insulating materials shall be non-toxic and of minimum thickness 50mm. Different
materials such as porous pumice and air pockets may be used.
6. The stove shall be built under a shelter to protect them from harsh weather conditions.
7. High temperature fire clay and fire cement may be used as bonding mortar in areas
which are most affected by heat. For strength/ smoothness/ good looking and water
proof, the stove working top is cast using terrazzo stones.

4.2 Technical drawings

Source: Memd 2008

15
4.3. Improved Institutional Stove Construction Process

Planning the stove in the

kitchen
• Choose a corner in the
kitchen to be occupied by the
stove. This will minimise the
possibility of accidental
damage and it will also be
useful in preventing the stove
from direct intake of cold air.

Marking the foundation

• Marking out the foundation on
the ground/flour using a
string, sticks or chalk,
measuring tape and try
square

Digging the foundation

• If the kitchen has a ground
flour, excavate a foundation
of 30 cm wide by 30 cm or
more depth, if it has a
concrete floor, skip this step

Source: Memd, 2008

16
 Construction of the
foundation
• Lay the foundation by first
wetting the ground with water,
and then place some mortar
and then bricks in the
excavated space.

Constructing on a concrete
slab
• Build the first course of the
outer wall using either
selected or ordinary bricks.
• Ensure that the air inlet and
firewood magazine are
planned for.

Stove Building
• The air inlet and firewood
entrance are built using the
fire-resistant mortar and
special firebricks/ clay liners.
• A grate is inserted in
combustion chamber, the grate
can be a welded mesh or even
specially arranged bricks

Source: Memd 2008

17
 Combustion chamber
construction
• The combustion chamber wall
is built using fire bricks 6-7cm
pumice insulation is placed
surrounding the firebrick wall.
• A support wall is built behind
the firewood magazine to
provide extra strength against
impact of insertion of
firewood.

Building combustion
chamber continued
• Continue to build the walls of
the combustion chamber
using the fire bricks,
maintaining the inside cross
section as uniformly as
required.

Filling the stove body with

debris
• Add a layer of mortar at the
base of the space between
the outer wall and the support
wall.
• Fill this space with debris up
to about 5 cm below the
combustion chamber level.
• Cover the debris with grog
and cement mortar.

Source: Memd, 2008

18
 The saucepan stabiliser
• Cut a mesh of length equal to
the inner dimensions of the
stove body.
• Cut out a provision for the
combustion chamber.
• Using diagonally fixed strings,
the centre of the combustion
chamber is located.
• Place the saucepan stabiliser
onto the stove and centre it.

Construction of the
saucepan skirt
• Using the insulation mortar,
build the circular brick wall up
to the top.
• Replace the saucepan several
times to ensure the 2 cm gap is
maintained.
• Remember to leave a brick
space in the last course of
round bricks for the chimney
opening.

The provision or the chimney

• A hole for chimney is made,
this should be at the extreme
top, because, if it is put at the
lowest point of the
combustion chamber, the
chimney sucks out the heat
from the stove.
• A wire mesh is placed on top
to enhance the strength

Hole for Chimney

Source: Author’s archives

19
 Inserting the chimney
• The chimney is inserted into
the stove with the use of
mortar

Top surface Finish

• With the help of a metal frame
which is usually welded,
mortar or terrazzo is put on
top of the stove and
smoothened by any good
means to make a good finish

Grinding a stove with a

terrazzo finish
• If terrazzo was used as a slab
on the top surface, after 1 day it
should be grinded with an angle
grinder.

Source: Author’s achives

20
Completed improved institutional stove ready for use

Relationship between saucepan /pot diameter and combustion chamber

Source: Memd, 2008

21
 CHAPTER FIVE: THE COOKSTOVE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

5.1 Certification
Certification is a third party attestation related to products, processes, systems or persons.◦
Attestation – Issue of a statement (of conformity) based on a decision following review that
fulfilment of specified requirements has been demonstrated.
The overall aim of certification is to give confidence to all interested parties that specified
requirements have been fulfilled.
As mentioned before a standard is a published document that has technical specifications or
requirements. Standards can be voluntary or mandatory

5.2 The Uganda National Bureau of standards (UNBS)

UNBS is a statutory body under Ministry of Trade, Industry & Cooperatives (MTIC).
UNBS was established by an Act of Parliament, UNBS Act (Cap 327, 1983, amended 2013)
and became operational in 1989.
UNBS is charged with overall responsibility of coordinating all matters of Standardization,
Quality Assurance, Metrology & Testing (SQMT) in Uganda.

UNBS plays two major intertwined roles:

• Facilitation – promotion and facilitation of trade and industrialization
• Regulation – enforcing standards to protect consumers and ensure fairness in trade.

The UNBS (use of distinctive mark) regulation, 2018

Declared the Q mark as 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 mandatory.

The symbol of quality

It is now an offence to sell products without the UNBS distinctive mark

22
5.3 UNBS Certification Process
1. Application – Online
2. Application Review – Case Officer
3. Payment of Product Certification Fees
4. Audit - Audit team
5. Product Evaluation - Testing Laboratory
6. Closure of non-conformances
7. Review - Certification Review Committee
8. Certification Decision/Approval - Executive Director

23
 5.4 Process steps3
TIME TAKEN TO
PROCESS STEP REMARK
COMPLETE
STEP
1. Application Clients no longer need to physically visit
Apply online by opening a user account on At discretion of applicant the UNBS offices. They can be
cims.unbs.go.ug or via the www.unbs.go.ug supported by email on
certification@unbs.go.ug
2. Application Review
Within 3 days after Any concerns with the application are
The information submitted to UNBS is reviewed submission of application resolved before proceeding
for completeness and adequacy.
3. Payment Client given up to 21 days to make
The company is billed for certification and testing Within 1 week of
payment.
fees and Payment of Product Certification Fees submission of application
Delayed payment implies delayed
Notice generated and sent through the e-system. scheduling of audit.
4. Audit Scheduled within 1 month Delays can be occasioned by delayed
Auditors from UNBS visit the factory of the after verification of resolution of any issues raised with the
applicant for the on-site evaluation payment of fees application, delayed payment or
voluntary requests for audit extension.
5. Product Evaluation Depends on laboratory Product testing may be done at UNBS
Auditors obtain samples from the factory during
turnaround time or any UNBS recognised laboratory
the audit and submit to the laboratory for testing.
Non-conformances can be cleared
6. Closure of Non-conformances
earlier than the 30 days to ensure the
Where issues are raised during the audit or 30 days given to client certification process is not delayed.
where product failures have been identified, the within which to resolve Delays can be occasioned by failure to
company is given time to close out the identified non-conformances. satisfactorily close out non-
non-conformances. conformances raised and delays in
testing of the product.
7. Review 5 days after the audit, if Any areas of concern raised by the CRC
If the company has fulfilled the requirements of
no non-conformances or are forwarded to the client for
the relevant standards, the company file is 5 days from the date of appropriate handling.
forwarded to the Certification Review Committee submission of corrective
(CRC). Upon deferral of certification, client has
actions
If satisfied, the CRC recommends consideration a maximum of 3 months to resolve.
of grant of permit to the Executive Director.
8. Certification Decision/Approval During the validity of permit, UNBS
Executive Director approves grant of permit to Permit issued within 48 conducts surveillance audits and/or
use the Distinctive Mark on products of the hours of certification market sampling to ensure continued
applicant manufactured in the specified location. decision. compliance to standard requirements.
- Electronic permit is issued valid for 1 year. Apply for renewal 3 months before
permit expiry.

3
UNBS 2021:

24
5.5 Certification fees as of Sept 2021:
Certification fees depend on the size of enterprise
Type of enterprise Employing Annual sales/ revenue turnover Total assets
Maximum Minimum Maximum
Micro enterprise 4 10,000,000 10,000,000

Small enterprise 50 100,000,000 100,000,000

Medium enterprise 100 360,000,000 360,000,000

Micro and small enterprises

Certification fees 500,000

Testing fees for two sets of samples per product Billed depending on tests to be conducted,
brand

Example of a bill for cookstove – MSE

Item Amount (UGX) Remarks
1 Certification fees 500,000 1 permit to be issued per product per brand upon
successful completion of the certification process.
Valid or 1 year
2 Laboratory testing 500,000 * 2 = Sample 1: Initial /renewal audit sample
fees 1,000,000 Sample 2: Surveillance sample (picked from the
factory or market)
Total 1,500,000

5.6 Terms of payment

o Certification fees and testing fees should be paid on two separate bank payment slips under
the respective departments.
o Payment of all fees should be made to UNBS within 21 days through the URA e payment
platform. After payment, upload the payment registration numbers (PRNs) through your
UNBS certification account on https://cims.unbs.go.ug/
o Audit date and audit plan will be communicated upon your submission and UNBS verification
of the payment registration numbers (PRN) for all billed fees.

25
5.7 Uganda National Bureau of Standards: Online Application Procedure
Log into www.unbs.go.ug and click on Apply for Distinctive Mark (Q-Mark) as indicated by the
red arrow.

26
Start by creating an account with UNBS
Click as indicated by the red arrow.

27
Enter the information as requested (The company name should be exactly as it appears on the
certificate of incorporation)

28
You can now login using details such as the password that was sent to the email address you
used to register
Sign in to access your UNBS account

29
This is your UNBS account interface
Click on Applications to start your certification process

30
Click on Start New Application

31
Select as indicated.

32
Select the product name or product standard as per your product from the drop-down icon
Enter your brand (if you have more brands, click on the Add More Brands icon to introduce more
insert boxes)
Save and proceed with the application

33
Enter all information as requested in this section

34
List all raw materials used in your production process and where it is bought from, if the space runs
out, click on the Add more icon to introduce more insert boxes. Save and proceed

35
The Stage of checking can be Raw material stage, Production stage or Finished product stage
State the checks done at each stage and state whether or not records are kept. Save and proceed

36
Attach the following documents in soft copy as requested (a flow chart can be a short description or
schematic drawing of your production process must be attached. A certificate of company
registration from URSB must be attached. A copy of the label of the product you are certifying must
be attached. Product test reports may be attached if available. Save attachment and proceed

37
Click on Submit Application upon verifying all information. Your application will be reviewed within
48 hours and you will be contacted on the next step. In case of errors or missing information
identified in your submitted information, your application will be sent back to you with guidance on
what to be corrected

38
CHAPTER SIX: THE TRAINING GUIDE

TOPIC: COOKSTOVE STANDARDISATION AND CERTIFICATION TRAINING GUIDE (2 DAYS)

DURATION OF THE TWO (2) DAYS

TRAINING
Objective (s) 1. By the end of the training, participants will be able to illustrate the
key features of a typical cookstove
2. Participants will be able to articulate the requirements of the
Uganda standard for cookstoves
3. Participants will be able to explain the certification process
Rationale Indeed, Uganda adopted its mandatory national standard for
cookstoves - US 761:2019 Household Biomass stoves requirements
in July 2019. Despite this development, many stove producers are
not aware about the certification process and their stoves are not up
to the required standard. This cookstove standardisation and
certification manual is developed to provide guidance in cookstove
standardisation and certification process.
Materials Flipcharts, markers, books and pens for participants, some cookstoves
both traditional and improved.

DAY 1
Session 1: Introduction
and building up the lesson
(40 minutes)
Supplement and fill any gaps in the definition by the working
definition
BREAK
Session 2: Cookstove
standardisation (2 hours)
• Welcome participants, make introductions, pass around the
attendance sheet and ask everyone to sign it
• Share training topic and objectives with the participants.
• Ask participants to define an improved cookstove, a standard,
certification in the own language and how they understand (allow
3-5 participants)
• Depending on the number of participants divide them into groups
of 5-8 people
• Let each group have a chairperson and a note taker who will
present the group findings.
• Pass around the cookstoves carried to the training showing the
improved cookstove and the traditional cookstoves.
• Allow groups to identify and discuss the key features of an
improved cookstove
• Ask groups to point out what makes the improved stove better
than the traditional stove
• Group Presentations (40 minutes)
• Give each group 5 minutes to present their findings to the entire
big g group
• Encourage every group to take notes of some of the findings that
they missed

39
 Supplement their points with the key features of a good standard
cookstove
LUNCH
Session 3: Producing a
standard cookstove (1
hour 30 minutes)
DAY 2
Recap of day 1 (30 mins)
Session 1: Field Visit (3
hours)
BREAK
Session 2: Presentation of
assessment findings
LUNCH
Session 3: Certification of
cookstoves (30 minutes)
Action steps /Take home
(20 minutes)
• Make use of the manual to emphasise on the key steps for
producing a standard cookstove
• Let the participants go back to their groups formed earlier.
• Pass around the cookstoves carried to the training venue
• Allow each group to identify the key gaps on the cookstoves that
may hinder compliance with the Uganda standard for cookstoves.
• Group Presentations: (40 mins)
• Give each group 5 minutes to present their findings to the entire
big g group
• Encourage every group to take notes of some of the findings that
they missed
• Let participants review what they had discussed on day 1
• Print copies of the assessment guide.
• Let every participant visit a nearby household/ institutions
/schools to identify and assess what is being used there.
• Every participant will make a presentation of findings after the
field visit.
• Use the manual to emphasise on the key certification process by
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
• Summarize the findings and reemphasize what each person
should do after the training
• Re-read objectives and ask participants if they have been
achieved
• Thank participants for turning up for the training and ask them to
embrace clean cookstoves.
40
Annexes
Annex 1: Stove production assessment checklist
Date of assessment:
Location of production facility
Type of stove produced
Names of assessors

A. Assessment of materials used in stove production

Materials used in stove production should be of good quality and prepared accurately
Assess the following and tick the correct answer and make comments/observations
Material Assessment Metrics Clay Metal Sand Micah Other improvement measure
sheets materials
Is the material appropriate for Yes; No; Yes; No; Yes; No; Yes; No;
production (comment on its N/A N/A N/A N/A
strength, deformities or impurities)
Is the material collection done Yes; No; Yes; No; Yes; No; Yes; No;
appropriately N/A N/A N/A N/A
Is the material checked before use Yes; No; Yes; No; Yes; No; Yes; No;
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Any additional non-compliant measures..........................................................................................................................

B. Manufacturing process assessment

B1. Clay processing Observations/comments Improvement measure
Is the clay processing work documented
Is the clay allowed to weather? How long
Is clay kneading done appropriately? Is it hand kneaded or
Machine kneaded?
Are insulators used in the manufacturing process? Which
insulators? What is the mixing ratio? Are they the right
type/quality/quantity of insulators? Specify the type of insulators
used and quantities
Is the process of moulding done appropriately? Inspect the
moulds and moulded materials for air gaps and consistency
How is the liner drying process done? How long are they
allowed to dry? Describe the drying process
Quality control measures in place
Add any additional non-compliant measure

B2. Liner Firing Observations/comments Improvement measure

Is the liner firing process documented
Which type of kiln is used for firing liners? Is it appropriate
How are liners arranged in the kiln
How long are liners fired/baked (specify hours)
Do you monitor kiln temperature during firing?
How long are they allowed to cool before removal from the kiln
Do you have personal protective equipment
Quality control measure in place
Add any additional non-compliant measure

B3. Metal Jacket fabrication Comment/observation Area of improvement

Is the metal fabrication process documented
Which type of metal sheet to you use?
Which gauge/thickness of metal sheet do you use? Specify gauge
used per stove part.
Which tools/equipment do you use during metal fabrication? Are
they the right tools?
Do you have personal protective equipment

41
Quality control measures in place
Add any additional non-compliant measure

B4. Assembly of liner into metal Jacket Comment/observation Area of iprovement

Is the process of assembly of liners into metal jacket
documented?
Which materials are used for stove assembly of a liner into
a stove metallic jacket
How are these materials prepared?
Is the actual assembly done appropriately
How long is it left to dry after the assembly
Quality control measures in place
Add any additional non-compliant measure

C. Inspecting the final product

Area of inspection Observations/ Improvement Measures
Comments
Are the stoves checked before they are packaged
1. Is the product is free of damage?
2. Is the product free of deterioration?
3. Is the product free of dirt / dust?
4. Are there sharp edges and points left on the surface of the
stove? Describe them
5. Is the completed stove stable on the ground? Does it stand
upright?
6. Are the air holes in the grate appropriate: How many air
holes are there? What is the size(diameter) of each air hole
7. Are the stove doors closing perfectly?
8. Is there a chimney on the stove? What is its
diameter/height? Can it take smoke out of the kitchen?
Add any additional non-compliant measure

D. Product Packaging Assessment

Area of inspection Observations/Comments Improvement Measures

1. Is the packaging free of deformities?
2. Can the packaging protect the stove during normal
handling, transportation and storage?
3. Is the package labelled appropriately with the following
information/documentation
a) Name of the manufacturer and or trademark
b) Country of origin;
c) Stove classification
d) Nominal cooking power
e) Serial/ batch number and year of manufacture;
f) User instructions;
g) Safety instructions;
h) Parts list; and
i) Gross and net weight
4. Is the print on the packaging clear
5. Does the packaging close securely?
6. Does the product fit securely into the packaging?

********************END*****************

42