The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has reiterated its dedication to guaranteeing the quality and safety of goods sold in Kenya.
In a media briefing, Kabue John, the Acting Chief Manager for Quality Assurance at KEBS, emphasized the agency’s mission to facilitate trade and safeguard consumers from inferior products.
Kabue highlighted that KEBS plays a crucial role in developing standards that enable the smooth movement of goods across borders while ensuring products meet the required safety and quality benchmarks. “We are not manufacturers, but we develop and enforce standards to ensure products in the market meet minimum safety and performance requirements,” he stated.
To help consumers verify product certification, KEBS has introduced an SMS-based authentication system. “Before making a purchase, consumers can confirm whether a product is certified by sending an SMS to 20023 with the format ‘SM#’ followed by the permit number on the standardization mark,” Kabue explained. He also noted that KEBS’ toll-free line, 1545, is available for any inquiries.
Certification marks, inspection process
KEBS uses several certification marks to guide consumers, including a Standardization Mark (S-Mark)that is found on locally manufactured goods to confirm compliance with set standards.
There is also an Import Standardization Mark (ISM) which is issued to imported products after inspection, as well as a Diamond Mark of Quality, this is a premium certification indicating superior product quality.
To issue these marks, KEBS conducts rigorous inspections, including factory visits, raw material assessments, and laboratory testing. “We don’t just issue a mark; we verify the manufacturing process and test the products before certification,” Kabue affirmed.
Kabue noted that KEBS employs a risk-based approach in monitoring products. While routine inspections occur daily at manufacturing plants and entry points, KEBS also conducts targeted market surveillance based on risk factors, past performance, and intelligence reports. “At different times, we focus on specific products such as alcohol, sugar, animal feed, or fertilizers, depending on identified risks,” he said.
Demand for Substandard Goods
Kabue responded to a question from the press on to concerns about the presence of low-quality goods in the market, dismissing the notion of a high demand for substandard products.
He urged consumers to be vigilant and prioritize quality over price. “Consumers should check for certification marks before purchasing any product to ensure they are getting safe and compliant goods,” he advised.
KEBS has intensified efforts to safeguard consumer interests, and it is encouraging the public to remain proactive in verifying product authenticity and reporting any suspected substandard items through its toll-free helpline or official communication channels.