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The Uganda National Bureau of Standards emphasizes the importance of using certified hair relaxers bearing the UNBS Quality Mark to ensure consumer safety and product quality.

UNBS spokesperson Slyvia Kirabo

The national standards body has issued an appeal to all consumers and salon owners/operators, urging them to utilize hair relaxers that are certified and bear the UNBS Quality Mark to ensure the consumption of safe products.

In accordance with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), seven standards delineate the requirements for high-quality hair relaxers and hair-waving products.

A statement endorsed by UNBS spokesperson Slyvia Kirabo emphasizes that all hair relaxers locally manufactured in Uganda adhere to the aforementioned standards. Additionally, imported hair relaxers undergo inspection through the pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) program in their respective exporting countries to ensure compliance with standards, thereby guaranteeing their safety for consumption.

Kirabo highlights that these standards are aligned with those of the East African Community member states, facilitating the seamless sale of locally manufactured goods certified by UNBS across borders without compromising quality.

As of March 14, 2024, Kirabo notes that 22 brands of locally manufactured hair relaxers have received certification from UNBS. She urges all hair relaxer manufacturers to ensure their products meet the requisite standards and obtain certification.

In the statement issued on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Kirabo underscores that any importation, manufacture, sale, distribution, or holding for sale of products failing to comply with applicable compulsory Uganda standards is prohibited by the UNBS Act 327 (as amended 2013) and is subject to legal repercussions.

Kirabo encourages consumers to prioritize products bearing the UNBS Quality Mark when purchasing hair relaxers as it is the primary means of ensuring product safety.

Consumers are advised to procure from certified companies or established outlets and retain receipts for traceability in the event of a complaint. It is cautioned against purchasing or using products with damaged packaging, as their safety cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, consumers should scrutinize the list of ingredients to avoid allergens or prohibited substances. The visibility of ingredients on product packaging is emphasized.

Users and consumers are urged to thoroughly read and comprehend user information provided on product labels, including expiry dates, manufacturer contacts, and usage instructions, to meet quality requirements.

Recent studies have revealed the potential health risks associated with prolonged use of certain hair relaxers, particularly among women. Chemicals such as formaldehyde and isoeugenol found in hair relaxers have been classified as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic, posing a heightened risk of cancer, especially among black women who frequently utilize hair straightening products.