KEBS unveils revised guidelines

By Steve Umidha

Manufacturers applying for the Standardization Mark (SM) will now be issued with a permit valid for two years beginning July 1.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in a statement said that the new certificates will be issued electronically in an effort to save time and reduce costs associated with manual applications.

The revision of the Standardization Mark scheme comes as the Standards body seeks to improve efficiency and enhance the ease of doing business in Kenya by addressing logistical and administrative challenges, including delays in the processing of SM permits that have often led to loss of business opportunities and undue shortages of respective goods.

“Under the revised SM scheme, manufacturers will be issued with a permit that is valid for two years instead of one year as has been the case. Manufacturers will also be able to apply and make payment for the SM Permit online. Additionally, the SM Permit will also be prepared and transmitted electronically,” said KEBS managing director Bernard Njiraini.

KEBS will also be issuing guidelines for accepting test reports which have been done in accredited laboratories for the purpose of product certification.

The Standardization Mark (SM) permit, which is a mandatory requirement for placement of goods in the Kenyan market, is issued to manufacturers for products whose compliance with established standards has been ascertained.

“Under the revised SM scheme, the issuance of Standardization Mark Permits will be based on factory inspection and product sampling for laboratory tests.  Throughout the two year period, KEBS inspectors will carry out targeted and random market surveillance, factory inspection and sampling the products for testing,” he adds.

In the revised scheme, firms will also be required to maintain in-house testing and quality control records, as agreed in the respective schemes of supervision and control. These records shall constitute the basis for maintenance of the product certification and future permit renewal.

In addition, KEBS has developed a guideline document for remote assessment activities to complement the traditional on-site assessment activities during extraordinary events or circumstances such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as part of the business continuity strategy.

Currently, 14,400 valid SM permits have been issued by KEBS to manufacturers.