The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
has urged members of the public to be more vigilant when buying goods,
warning that consumption of substandard products could pose serious health
risks.
Acting North Rift regional manager Clement Komu said consumers must actively check for approved quality and standardisation marks before buying any product.
The marks include Standardisation Mark, Diamond Mark, Food Fortification Logo and the Import Standardisation Mark, which indicate that products have been certified by Kebs.
“Consumers should be on the look out for marks of quality to ensure they buy only approved products," he said.
Komu advised consumers to use product codes and verify certification through the Kebs SMS platform to confirm whether goods meet required standards.
“Through the SMS platform using the codes on the products one can easily confirm if the products are certified,” he said.
He spoke in Eldoret during a sensitisation forum for journalists on KEBS’ mandate, processes and role in safeguarding product quality.
Komu was accompanied by Kebs manager for corporate communications Mercy Kandie, head of chemistry laboratory Ted Onolo, and market surveillance officer for North Rift Francis Mbutei.
He also urged farmers in the region to use Kebs verification systems to confirm the authenticity of fertilisers, animal feeds and other agricultural inputs.
Komu said Kebs officers conducting inspections and conformity assessment duties are required to properly identify themselves, including presenting staff identification numbers that can be verified through the SMS platform.
“They should always identify themselves using their staff IDs which have employment numbers that can also be verified using the SMS platform,” he said.
Kebs has expanded its capacity to calibrate medical equipment, including X-ray and cancer machines, to ensure safety in healthcare services.
“We are able to check on radiation
levels to ensure safety as the equipment is used on patients,” he said.
Komu said Kebs continues to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders to uphold integrity in standardisation and certification processes.
Kandie said Kebs is
working closely with the media to enhance public awareness on its mandate and
the importance of consuming certified products.
“The media has great capacity to reach many Kenyans, hence the need for closer partnership with Kebs,” she said.
