Kenyan horticultural products are set to get better access and recognition abroad after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) received accreditation certificates from the Kenya National Accreditation Service (KENAS).
KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari says the move will boost global recognition of Kenyan products, while also enabling local producers to obtain standardisation marks of quality more easily and efficiently.
For years, many Kenyan producers, including cash crop farmers and manufacturers, have faced challenges in meeting required standards. Tea growers, in particular, have experienced notable gaps in compliance, from leaf plucking to factory-level processing, especially for export markets.
To achieve the milestone, KEBS pursued several new accreditations, including the accreditation of its Product Certification Scheme to ISO/IEC 17065:2012, an international standard that sets requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services.
Additionally, it has expanded its capacity to conduct testing and support regional laboratories by operating a Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme, which is accredited to ISO/IEC 17043.
“This speaks volumes about trust in our Laboratory systems and our laboratories have now confirmed and stamped their international recognition in helping labs across the Region prove they can deliver accurate, reliable results”, the CEO stated.
The accreditations cover various sectors, including agriculture, food products, textiles, and manufacturing.
” Our products can freely move in the national, regional and global markets on account of the accreditation. The Product Certification Marks engraved on the products have been issued from a credible and impartial process leading to acceptability in the regions. This will cause growth since our manufacturers can produce products that are globally accepted due to the confidence attached to accreditation”, she added.
Kenya now ranks as the second country in Africa after Zambia to receive the accreditation.
EXPLAINER: Benefits of the Accreditation Certificates
* Increased market access for certified Kenyan products in regional and global markets.
* Enhanced credibility of KEBS certification marks in the region and globally.
* Stronger assurance for consumers on the safety and quality of products.
* Support for local laboratories to meet international testing standards.
Fields covered are;
- IAF Code 1: Agriculture, forestry & fishing
- IAF Code 3: Food products, beverages & tobacco
- IAF Code 4: Textiles and textile products
- IAF Code 7: Pulp, paper & paper products
- IAF Code 10: manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products
- IAF Code 12: Chemicals, chemical products and fibres
- IAF Code 14: Rubber and plastic products
- IAF Code 16: concrete, cement, lime, plaster
- IAF Code 17: basic metals and fabricated metal products
- IAF Code 18: Machinery & equipment
- IAF Code 19: Electrical and optical equipment
- IAF Code 23: Manufacturing not elsewhere classified
