IC: Biomass Stove and Fuel Standards Review and Development

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

1. Project Background

Uganda is committed to promoting clean cooking solutions to reduce its reliance on unsustainable solid biomass and mitigate the adverse health and environmental impacts associated with traditional cooking methods. The Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) sets an ambitious target to increase access to clean cooking fuels and technologies from 15% to 50% by 2030. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, in collaboration with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), has developed standards for clean cooking appliances and is supporting the establishment of knowledge and testing centers to facilitate performance testing, research, and development in line with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill (2025).

Standards play a crucial role in ensuring product quality, safety, reliability, and consistency, while also supporting marketing and protecting consumers from substandard products. Uganda's existing national standard for household biomass cookstoves, US 761:2019, provides safety, emissions, and efficiency thresholds for household stoves. However, these thresholds differ from those used by the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

To address this discrepancy and mitigate risks associated with harmful stove emissions, the National Integrated Clean Cooking Strategy (NICCS) recommends updating US 761:2019 to align with WHO guidelines and ISO 19867-3. The revised standard will support the development of a national labeling program for clean cooking solutions, providing consumers with clear information about stove performance.

In addition to updating the biomass stove standard, there is a need to develop standards for uncarbonized briquettes and pellet fuel, which are increasingly being used as cleaner alternatives to traditional biomass. Currently, Uganda lacks a national standard for uncarbonized briquettes and pellet fuel, which can lead to inconsistencies in product quality and safety. Developing standards for these fuels will help ensure their safe and efficient use, promote consumer confidence, and support the growth of the clean cooking sector.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, with support from the Green Growth and Global Institute (GGGI), is seeking an individual consultant or firm to undertake two pivotal assignments: (1) reviewing the Household Biomass Stove Standard (US 761:2019) and (2) developing a standard for uncarbonized briquettes and pellet fuels.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The objectives of this assignment are to:

1) Provide independent technical advice for updating the Uganda Standard for Household Biomass Stoves (US 761:2019).

2) Provide analytical input to inform the development of standards for uncarbonized briquettes and pellet fuel.

3) Facilitate evidence-based discussions among stakeholders to ensure harmonization with international best practices.

a)    Scope of Work.

The consultant will play a facilitative and advisory role (not an implementing role since the role of standards development is handled by UNBS).

The consultant shall provide technical and facilitation support to the standards development process under the overall guidance and authority of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and its responsible Technical Committee. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Conduct a literature and benchmark review of regional and international standards for household biomass stoves, briquettes, and pellet fuels.
• Prepare technical background papers highlighting best practices, key requirements, and gaps in existing standards (including US 761:2019).
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and workshops, ensuring broad input from manufacturers, users, regulators, and research institutions.
• Compile and analyze stakeholder feedback and prepare draft revisions to the Household Biomass Standard (US 761:2019) and draft standards for uncarbonized briquettes and pellet fuel.
• Submit the draft standards to UNBS for consideration by the responsible Technical Committee, which will undertake the formal review, validation, and approval process.

b)    Activities to be Undertaken

Assignment 1: Advisory on the Review of Biomass Cookstove Standard

Conduct a gap analysis of US 761:2019 against WHO, ISO 19867-3, and other international benchmarks.

• Prepare a technical advisory report highlighting recommendations for revision.

• Provide independent evidence and presentations to guide Standards Drafting Committees and Technical Committees (constituted and chaired by UNBS).

• Facilitate stakeholder dialogue to ensure the proposed revisions reflect diverse perspectives.

Assignment 2: Advisory on the Development of Standards for Uncarbonized Briquettes and Pellet Fuel

• Analyze international and regional standards for briquettes and pellet fuels to identify best practices relevant for Uganda.

• Prepare a technical options paper with performance benchmarks and testing considerations.

• Provide independent advice on testing approaches and data analysis for briquettes and pellets, without conducting conformity assessment or certification on behalf of UNBS.

• Support stakeholder consultations by sharing technical evidence and international experience.

3. Deliverables and Payment Schedule

The assignment is expected to run from November 2025 to February 2026. The following deliverables are expected during this period:

4. Expertise Required:

The consultant should meet the following requirements:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in engineering, energy systems, environmental sciences, or a related technical field.
• 8–15 years of relevant professional experience, including demonstrated work in standards development, quality assurance, or conformity assessment processes.

• Proven ability to provide independent, evidence-based technical and policy advice to government agencies, development partners, and technical committees.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience leading consultations across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and technical writing skills, with a track record of producing high-quality technical documentation and reports.

Administrative Information

• The consultant will report to the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and collaborate with MEMD (Clean Cooking Unit) and UNBS on the process of Standards Department.
• UNBS retains responsibility for: constituting committees, drafting and approving standards, conducting conformity assessments, and submitting standards to the National Standards Council.
• The consultant’s role remains advisory and facilitative, not regulatory or implementation.

The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). The Ministry and UNBS will provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the assignment.