Kebs postpones start date for import mark

Charles Ongwae, KEBS Managing Director.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has postponed the commencement date of the import standardisation mark. Importers were from August 1, 2015, required to display a secure quality mark for all goods coming into the country.

Instead, Kebs will use the whole month to perfect the system and educate players on the new mark. This decision was reached on Thursday after Kebs held a meeting with importers and clearing agents drawn from Mombasa to appraise them on quality mark for all imported goods.

The more secure sticker will have features that are tamper-proof, complete with a track and trace software. “The new secure systems will curtail counterfeiting of Kebs quality marks, providing a platform through which we can carry out real – time field verification inspection of goods bearing the marks Kebs Quality Certification Marks,’’ said Charles Ongwae, Kebs Managing Director.

Stakeholders, who gathered at the Severin Sea Lodge, Mombasa, had raised concern over the short notice given for them to comply. Ongwae said phase one of the project will target all imported products intended for sale in the local market. The new system will also provide an online platform for consumers to directly authenticate the legitimacy of certification of goods before purchase.