Specialized oil and gas equipment: PAU-approved Ugandan PVoC services from SGS

PCA Newsletters14. Mar 2024.

SGS has been contracted by the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) for the provision of pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) services for specialized oil and gas equipment and materials, starting March 1, 2024.

With an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil reserves and 672 billion cubic feet of gas, Uganda’s oil and gas sector is a lucrative market for businesses supplying highly specialized equipment and materials to the industry.

PAU is mandated to monitor and regulate exploration, development and production, together with refining, gas conversion, transportation and storage, of petroleum in Uganda. In collaboration with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), PAU is implementing a strategy for quality assurance during the importation of equipment and materials intended for use in Ugandan oil and gas projects.

In line with the above strategy, SGS has been contracted to provide PVoC assessments. The main objective of the PVoC assessment is to ensure that imported materials and equipment for oil and gas projects comply with applicable standards to safeguard the health and safety of the people, protect the environment and ensure asset integrity.

Under the PVoC program, equipment and materials must undergo a conformity assessment at the country of origin and be issued with a certificate of conformity (CoC) before importation into Uganda. Conformity assessment will include technical document verification, physical inspection, and sampling and testing in accredited laboratories (where applicable). Conformity assessment will be based on standards and technical regulations approved by PAU and UNBS.

PAU PVoC procedure

Obtaining a CoC under the PAU program involves the following procedures:

Contractor/agent notifies the licensee of their intention to import the equipment/materials and the licensee submits a request for import authorization to the PAU
Exporters/importers submit a request for certification online via the SGS Exporter Portal
All available documents proving conformity of the products like test reports, datasheets, quality management system (QMS) certificates should be attached to the application
We review the submitted documents and coordinate product sampling and testing with an accredited or approved laboratory (if applicable)
We schedule an inspection after receipt of inspection fees
Final certification document is issued

Upskilling industry for PCA success

On February 14, 2024, we held a seminar in Kampala for all importers of specialized equipment and materials for oil and gas projects in Uganda. In attendance were the regulators, UNBS and PAU, PAU licensees and major contractors/importers in the oil and gas industry.

Why SGS?

We are the world leader in testing, inspection and certification services, with unrivaled experience in providing product conformity assessment (PCA) services around the globe.

Our PVoC services are already helping to reduce the complexity of product regulations for businesses trading with many countries, including Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire Republic, Kenya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Our wide range of innovative trade facilitation services are used by governments, institutions and public organizations globally.

Learn more about Uganda PAU – Pre-Export Verification of Conformity.

This article can also be found in our PCA Newsletter (Q1/2024) – which keeps you up to date with developments in technical barriers to trade and product conformity assessment.