The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has achieved another significant milestone on the global stage with the accreditation of its Product Certification Scheme to ISO/IEC 17065:2012.
This accreditation covers Kebs’ Product Certification Scheme, including the Standardisation Mark, the Food Fortification Logo, and the prestigious Diamond Mark of Quality.
It spans a wide range of sectors—agriculture, food and beverages, textiles, chemicals, electrical equipment, and more, cementing the agency’s position as a leader in conformity assessment.
Other areas include pulp, paper and paper products; manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products; rubber and plastic products; concrete, cement, lime, plaster; basic metals and fabricated metal products; and machinery and equipment.
In a notable stride towards sustainability, Kebs has also secured accreditation for its ACAP Certification Scheme for Agricultural Sustainability and Eco-Labelling, aligning with ARS/AES 01:2014 standards and further advancing environmental stewardship.
Kebs’ capacity to uphold information security has also been enhanced through the extension of its scope to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 under ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015.
Additionally, the bureau has gained ISO/IEC 17043 accreditation, enabling it to operate a regionally trusted Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme.
This programme distributes prepared test samples to laboratories, allowing them to benchmark their results against standard references and build capacity for delivering accurate, reliable outcomes.
“Imagine hundreds of labs testing water, milk or fertiliser. How do we know their results are reliable?” asked Kebs Managing Director Esther Ngari.
“Our Proficiency Testing Scheme ensures these labs meet the highest standards. It’s not about policing; it’s about partnership, building confidence in the results that shape public health, trade, and policy.”
Ngari attributed these milestones to strategic investments and dedicated effort, noting that Kebs has systematically built the competence of its inspectors, assessors, and analysts.
“This has not only strengthened the national quality infrastructure but also enabled regional labs to improve their accuracy and reliability,” she said.
A product certification scheme involves a third-party body assessing and confirming that a product meets specific standards and requirements.
The process includes evaluating quality, safety, and performance, often through testing and inspection, to ensure compliance with established criteria.
The international recognition now attached to Kebs’ certification marks brings profound benefits.
Products bearing the Standardisation Mark or Diamond Mark are now supported by a globally accepted process, facilitating smoother trade in regional and global markets.
This milestone strengthens Kebs’ reputation in conformity assessment, meaning products inspected, tested, and certified by the agency enjoy global acceptance.
For local manufacturers, it translates to increased competitiveness, broader market reach, greater trust, and enhanced credibility of Kebs’ certification marks. For consumers, it means stronger assurances of product safety and quality.
Kebs also expressed gratitude to Kenya Accreditation Service (Kenas) assessors for their rigorous evaluation and positive verdict following thorough audits, corrective action reviews, and evidence verification.
