Kebs fights counterfeits with new tamper-proof quality mark

Kenya National Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has so far issued 10 million copies of new Import Standardisation Mark (ISM).

The new mark, which Kebs started implementing on September 1, is meant to stem widespread counterfeiting of ISMs by rogue importers. The new ISM, unlike the old ISM, has security features that is supported by a track and trace technology, which makes it possible for Kebs to account for each and every sticker found in the market.

The standards agency also reckons that the mark will create a level playing field as only genuine and certified products will be allowed into the market.

Kebs says the new standardization mark will also reduce harassment of traders by other law enforcement agencies since genuine marks can easily be validated through SMS or decrypting of QR code.

Mr Charles Ongwae, Kebs Managing Director speaking during editors’ workshop organised by Kebs said the creation of the ISM, the first of its kind, was informed by rampant counterfeiting of the old ISM. “The old mark had no security features and could be printed anywhere,” he explained.

“You can print them but those stamps will not be in our database,” he said noting that each of the stickers has a unique number.

He urged members of the public to play an active policing role. To this end, he said, Kebs would prioritise consumer education on the new ISM. “We (at KEBS) are only 1,000 people against a population of 45 million people,” he said.

He said consumers can validate genuine products by either using a smartphone or by sending the serial number to Kebs SMS platform... 20023 to validate the product they are buying. The service, he said, will be given free of charge. Ongwae said implementation of new mark has currently covers general imported goods but will soon extend to high risk products such as water and spirits.

To ensure that methanol is not misused in the production of illicit alcohol, Kebs has put methanol under the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) list. This means that it will only come into the country after being subjected to quality checks at the country of origin.

Mr Ongwae said there are plans to build additional laboratories in Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret. The lab in Kisumu will be ready in eight months, while that in Eldoret will start operations in August 2016.