Uganda has issued new specifications for biochar to ensure quality and safety in agricultural applications, covering products such as biochar fertilizer and pyrolysis biochar.
Uganda Sets New Standards for Agricultural Biochar
Importers and producers must meet quality and safety requirements for biochar used in farming.
What changed
Formal standard introduced for biochar produced via pyrolysis or gasification.
Fuel charcoal excluded from the new agricultural biochar standard.
Hazardous feedstock banned – biochar from contaminated sources not covered.
Testing required with specific sampling and test methods for product consistency.
Who it affects
Biochar producers must follow pyrolysis or gasification processes under limited oxygen.
Importers of biochar fertilizer must ensure products meet the new quality standards.
Agricultural users can only use biochar that complies with the safety requirements.
Key dates
Compliance Requirements for Biochar in Uganda under DUS 1862: 2026 (Biochar — Specification)
Uganda’s DUS 1862: 2026 establishes mandatory quality, safety, and labeling specifications for biochar produced and used in agricultural and environmental applications. The standard applies to biochar derived from biomass through thermochemical processes (e.g., pyrolysis or gasification) under limited oxygen conditions1. Below is a structured summary of the key compliance requirements.
1. Scope and Applicability
- Applicable Products: Biochar intended for soil improvement, carbon sequestration, or environmental management (e.g., biochar fertilizer, pyrolysis biochar)1.
- Exclusions:
2. Feedstock Requirements
Biochar must be produced from clean, uncontaminated biomass1. Permitted feedstocks include:
- Plant-based materials: Crop residues (e.g., rice husks, maize cobs, banana residues), coffee husks, cocoa shells, forestry residues, coconut shells, palm residues1.
- Animal-based materials: Manure1.
- Prohibited materials:
3. General Quality Requirements
Biochar must meet the following criteria1:
- Physical properties:
- Hygiene: Produced and handled in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)1.
4. Classification Systems
4.1 Particle Size Classification1
| Type | Particle Size | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Powdered biochar | < 1 mm | ISO 3310, ISO 8397 |
| Granular biochar | 1 mm – 10 mm | ISO 3310, ISO 8397 |
| Coarse biochar | > 10 mm | ISO 3310, ISO 8397 |
4.2 Quality Grade Classification1
| Grade | Carbon Content (%) | Ash Content (%) | Intended Use | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | ≥ 70 | ≤ 10 | High-quality agricultural soil improvement | ISO 18122, ISO 10694 |
| B | 50–70 | 10–30 | Soil conditioning/land rehabilitation | ISO 18122, ISO 10694 |
| C | ≤ 50 | ≥ 30 | Industrial/environmental applications | ISO 18122, ISO 10694 |
5. Contaminant Limits
Biochar must comply with the following maximum contaminant thresholds1:
| Contaminant | Maximum Limit (mg/kg) | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic (As) | 20 | AOAC 2006.03, US ISO 17318 |
| Lead (Pb) | 125 | AOAC 2006.03 |
| Mercury (Hg) | 1 | AOAC 2006.03 |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 1.5 | AOAC 2006.03 |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) | ≤ 6 (sum of 16 EPA PAHs) | ISO 18287 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | < 0.1 (total) | ISO 18475, ISO 23646 |
| Extraneous Matter | ≤ 1% by mass | ISO 18123 |
Microbiological Limits1
| Microorganism | Maximum Limit (cfu/ml) | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Total Plate Count | 10⁴ | US ISO 4833-1 |
| Yeasts & Molds | 10³ | ISO 21527-2 |
| Escherichia coli | 10³ | ISO 16649-2 |
| Salmonella spp. | Absent in 25 ml | AOAC 967.26, US ISO 6579-1 |
6. Labeling Requirements
Each package must include the following legible and indelible information in English1:
- Product name (e.g., "Powdered Biochar")1.
- Active ingredient (feedstock used)1.
- Manufacturer/producer name and address1.
- Batch/code number1.
- Intended use (e.g., "soil amendment")1.
- Storage and disposal instructions1.
- Date of manufacture and expiry date1.
- Net content (metric units)1.
- Nutrient content (if applicable)1.
- Product registration number1.
- Risk warnings (if any)1.
- Rate of application1.
- Directions for use1.
- Country of origin1.
7. Packaging and Weights
- Packaging: Must maintain product integrity during handling, transportation, and storage (e.g., no tearing)1.
- Weights/Measures: Must comply with the Weights and Measures Act1.
8. Certification and Compliance
- UNBS Certification Mark: Products conforming to DUS 1862: 2026 may display the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Certification Mark, subject to licensing under the UNBS certification scheme1.
- Enforcement: Compliance is monitored by UNBS through supervision, control, and testing1.
9. Key Prohibitions
- Use of hazardous feedstocks (e.g., contaminated biomass, plastics, treated wood)1, 2.
- Presence of extraneous matter (e.g., metals, glass, plastics)1, 2.
- Mislabeling or omission of mandatory labeling information1.
Summary Answer
Uganda’s DUS 1862: 2026 mandates strict quality and safety standards for biochar, including:
- Feedstock restrictions: Only clean biomass (e.g., crop residues, manure) is permitted; hazardous materials (e.g., plastics, treated wood) are prohibited1, 2.
- Contaminant limits: Heavy metals (e.g., arsenic ≤ 20 mg/kg, lead ≤ 125 mg/kg), PAHs (≤ 6 mg/kg), and microbiological thresholds must be met1.
- Classification: Biochar is categorized by particle size (<1 mm, 1–10 mm, >10 mm) and quality grade (A/B/C based on carbon/ash content)1.
- Labeling: Mandatory disclosures include feedstock, batch number, expiry date, and application instructions1.
- Certification: Compliance with the standard is verified through UNBS certification1.
The standard aims to ensure biochar’s safety, consistency, and efficacy for agricultural and environmental use while prohibiting contaminated or substandard products1, 2.
Sources
- ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-02884 — Uganda https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/UGA/26_02884_00_e.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-02882 — Uganda https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/UGA/26_02882_00_e.pdf