In this article, we are going to look at how to apply for a KEBS standardization mark permit in Kenya and all the requirements that must be met before making an application to be certified. Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is a statutory body established under the Standards Act (CAP 496) of the laws of Kenya to govern and maintain the standards and practices of metrology in the country.
KEBS Standardization Mark
The KEBS Standardization Mark is a mandatory mark for
products that are manufactured locally for local consumption and for export
within the East African Community (EAC) region. The Kenya Bureau of Standards
(KEBS) issues a standardization mark permit and a soft copy of the
standardization mark to incorporate when branding the products, after carrying
out an inspection in the factory. The permit is valid for a calendar year from
the date of issue.
Steps to apply for a KEBS Standardization Mark Permit
Step 1
1. Fill in the standardization mark application form ( STA
1). You can download the form below.
2. Fill in the initial factory assessment form ( STA 10)
(New applicants) Download it here
The applicant is required to fill out the STA 10 form and submit
it to KEBS before an inspection is carried out.
3. Fill in duplicate the standards levy notification
form( SL1). You can download the form here
4. Provide a copy of the company registration form
i.e CR12 for Ltd Companies and evidence for registration for CBOS,
Cooperatives societies, self-help groups, etc
5. Pay the required product certification fees
Please note that no product samples are required at the time
of submitting your application. You can also obtain STA1, STA 10, and SL1
forms at the nearest KEBS office.
Step 2
The Kenya Bureau of Standards quality assurance officers
will pay a visit to your production facility to carry out industrial
inspection, draw samples for analysis, and agree on the scheme of supervision and
control.
Step 3
Your product samples will be analyzed at KEBS laboratories
or any other accredited laboratories to check compliance
with Kenyan standards. If samples comply and the inspection officer’s report
indicates compliance with codes of practice, a recommendation will be made for
issuance of the permit to use standardization mark to the Permit
Standardization Committee (PSC) for standardization Mark.
If the committee confirms that all requirements have
been met, a permit will be issued. If your product samples fail to
comply, retesting will be done free of charge and if the product
complies, a permit to use the standardization mark will be issued. If samples
fail to comply in the second instance and subsequent tests, testing will be
carried out at the expense of the manufacturer.
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Certification Fees
1. All Large Firms
20,000 for the firm plus Kshs. 7,500 per product/ brand.
This implies to firms with a turnover of between Kshs.200,
000 and Kshs. 500,000 per annum.
2. Medium Enterprises
10,000 for three products and Kshs. 5,000 for any extra
product
This implies to firms with a turnover of below Kshs.200, 000 per annum.
3. Jua kali and Small Enterprises
5,000 for three products and Kshs. 5,000 for any extra
product.
N/B
All the payments for standardization mark application are
made at the time of application. For any change request the on the permit, the
client shall pay Ksh.1000 upon evaluation and change granted.
Here is a sample of the standardization
mark permit.
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Contacts
Kenya Bureau of Standards,
Popo Road, Off Mombasa Road,
P.O. Box 54974 – 00200,
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 020 6948000,+ 254 722202137,
+ 254 734600471
Email: info@kebs.org