News Details

On 13 May 2026, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a Draft African Standard for road marking paints developed by the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO). The proposed standard sets out the requirements, sampling procedures, and test methods for road marking paints used on bituminous and concrete surfaces. It applies to both solvent-borne and water-borne road marking paints and provides specifications for the white, yellow, and black markings commonly used on roads and highways. 

African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) 

The African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) is an intergovernmental organization established to harmonize standards across Africa, facilitate intra-African trade, and enhance the global competitiveness of African products and services. ARSO develops standards through technical committees in cooperation with member states and relevant regional and international organizations. 

Scope of the Draft Standard 

The draft standard establishes specifications, sampling procedures, and test methods for road marking paints used on bituminous and concrete road surfaces. 

Road marking paints are classified into two categories: 

• Type I: Water-borne road marking paints 

• Type II: Solvent-borne road marking paints 

Technical Requirements 

General Requirements: Road marking paints must be free from biological growth, corrosion of the container, livering, hard settlement, lumps, foreign matter, or surface skins that cannot be redissolved. They must also meet the specific performance requirements prescribed in the standard when tested using the specified methods. 

Road Performance Requirements: In addition to laboratory testing requirements, road marking paints must satisfy the specified field performance criteria. Paint samples used for road performance testing must be in the same condition as those used for laboratory testing and must not be thinned prior to application. Detailed procedures for conducting and controlling road performance tests are provided in Annex H of the draft standard. 

Luminance Factor: For non-reflectorized road markings, the luminance factor must be at least 70% on the day of application and no less than 60% during subsequent inspection intervals. 

Degree of Erosion:  When assessed in accordance with the prescribed test methods, the total wear index for each stripe shall not exceed 35% at six-month inspection intervals. 

Spread of Markings: The width of non-reflectorized paint markings shall not increase by more than 10% of the original width during regular inspection intervals. 

Storage Stability: Road marking paints stored in unopened containers at temperatures between 4 °C and 32 °C for a minimum period of 12 months from the date of dispatch must continue to comply with all applicable requirements specified in the standard. 

Road Performance Trials: Compliance testing shall be conducted at designated trial sites under the supervision of an authorized authority. Only road marking paints that satisfy the laboratory requirements specified in the standard are eligible for road performance trials. 

Packaging Requirements: Road marking paints must be packaged in suitable containers that protect the product from deterioration during storage, transportation, and handling. 

Labelling Requirements: Labels may be provided in English, Kiswahili, French, or any  combination of these languages agreed upon. Additional languages may also be included. 

Each container must be clearly and indelibly marked with the following information: 

• Product name (“Road Marking Paint”); 

• Name and physical address of the manufacturer and/or registered trademark; 

• Net contents (in litres); 

• Type of paint; 

• Date of manufacture; 

• Best-before date; 

• Colour and/or paint code; 

• Batch number; and 

• Instructions for use, disposal, and safety precautions. 

Sampling: Sampling procedures shall be conducted in accordance with ISO 15528. 

Conclusion 

The proposed African Standard introduces harmonized requirements for solvent-borne and water-borne road marking paints across African markets. By establishing uniform quality, performance, packaging, labelling, and testing requirements, the standard aims to improve road safety, product reliability, and regulatory consistency throughout the region. Manufacturers intending to supply road marking paints in Uganda and other African markets should carefully review the draft requirements and assess the potential impact on product compliance should the standard be adopted.