Kampala — EAST African states are set to harmonise their laws on certification, inspection and testing of products as the regional block moves towards a common market.

During consultations on the draft regulations on Thursday in Kampala, the Principal Standards Officer at the East African Community Secretariat said this is necessary as the common market era approaches.

Willy Musinguzi said the secretariat is consulting stakeholders across the five states in preparation for the free movement of capital, people and services expected to begin early next year.

Uganda's state minister of industry and technology, Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo, urged the private sector to cooperate the standards agencies to obtain certification.

He said Uganda is in the process of aligning its laws on product standards in line with regional and international enactments.

Under the East African Community arrangement, partner states are required to approximate their national regulations on mandatory standards with the regional regulations within six months of their inauguration.

After Uganda, the secretariat will proceed to Rwanda and Burundi before passing on the outcome to the East Africa Standards Committee which will finally hand them to the council of ministers.