KEBS outlines quality assurance measures as manufacturers face compliance demands

KENYA – The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has reaffirmed the importance of product certification, laboratory testing and market surveillance in strengthening manufacturing quality, with its latest industry engagement highlighting the responsibilities manufacturers must maintain after receiving certification.

Speaking at a Citizen TV town hall session as part of World Quality Week, Director General Esther Ngari and Dr Geoffrey Muriira, Director of Quality Assurance, Compliance and Inspection, outlined the bureau’s approach to product certification, enforcement, and support for small-scale manufacturers.

Although the discussion covered manufacturing broadly, the issues are relevant to Kenya’s animal feed industry, where product quality, safety, consistency and compliance with established standards are essential to feed manufacturers and the livestock, poultry and aquaculture value chains they serve.

Muriira explained that quality is determined by a product’s physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics, measured against established standards.

“A standard is that fixed measure that even if you get tired as a manufacturer, you should not put aside. You have to keep it. Even if you want to make more profit, you cannot put standard aside,” he said.

KEBS operates 51 laboratories covering different testing disciplines, including chemistry, engineering, biochemistry and microbiology. 

According to Muriira, the facilities have accredited testing scopes, with independent accreditation bodies assessing the competence of their testing methods and personnel.

Certification involves factory inspections, assessment of production systems, product sampling and laboratory testing before a manufacturer receives permission to use the standardisation mark. 

The bureau then conducts market surveillance to confirm products continue to meet the requirements during the certification period.

Ngari emphasised that manufacturers remain responsible for maintaining quality after certification, including controlling raw materials, production processes and quality records.

The bureau also highlighted the standardisation mark’s role in facilitating regional trade.

Ngari said the mark is recognised under the East African Community framework, allowing qualifying certified products to access regional markets without undergoing repeat testing at every destination.

For smaller manufacturers, KEBS said it charges KSh10,000 (approximately US$77), plus VAT, for certification covering the first three products over two years, with additional charges for other products. 

It also provides technical support to small enterprises developing products that may not yet have established standards.

Another development raised was the proposed Standards Bill 2025, which seeks to replace the Standards Act, Cap 496, enacted in 1974.

Ngari said the proposed legislation addresses changes in manufacturing, emerging technologies and manufacturers’ responsibilities, including accountability when products fail to meet required standards.

For animal feed manufacturers, these developments reinforce the importance of maintaining consistent production standards beyond initial certification. 

As the industry develops, effective quality assurance, traceability and regulatory compliance will remain important to product confidence, market access and the wider competitiveness of Kenya’s feed manufacturing sector.

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