NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 1 – Following requests from importers, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has given importers a one-month transition period to ensure smooth adoption of the new standardisation mark.
All importers have been urged to use the one month period to apply for the new secured mark.
KEBS held a successful meeting with importers and clearing agents drawn from Mombasa to appraise them on the new secured quality mark for all imported products.
KEBS Managing Director Charles Ongwae said the new secured system’s objective is to curtail counterfeiting of KEBS marks and also provides a platform through which KEBS can carry out realtime field verification inspection of goods bearing the Quality Certification Marks.
“All importers of goods will be required to purchase the new Import Standardisation Mark (ISM) stickers directly from KEBS. I encourage the importers to commence adopting the new secured mark immediately,” added Ongwae citing that meetings with other key stakeholders drawn from Eldoret and Kisumu will be held in the next two weeks.
The bureau has developed a more secured Quality Mark that will have diverse features which are tamper proof, complete with a track and trace software.
Phase one of the project will target all imported products intended for to be sold directly into the local market.
KEBS Chairman Lucas Maitha who was also in attendance at the importers’ briefing session, said the new development is intended at safeguarding Kenyans, from unscrupulous dealers who have been misusing the old unsecured mark.
Maitha further said that the new mark will go a long way in controlling the entry of substandard goods into the Kenyan market.
