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FAQs on QAI
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Frequently Asked Questions on QAI

PRE-EXPORT VERIFICATION OF CONFORMITY (PVoC)

1. What is PVoC?
PVoC deals with standards for imports ensuring that only high quality goods are shipped into the Kenyan market. This ensures that only quality products are offered for sale in the country

2.  What are the objectives of PVoC?

  • Ensuring that substandard and/ or counterfeit goods are stopped at source  (i.e. Country of Origin).
  • Ensure quality of products, health, safety and environmental protection for consumer in the Kenyan.
  • Ensuring the country is not a dumping ground of toxic waste, radioactive material, e-waste, obsolete equipment etc.
  • The provision of a cost-effective procedure in the implementation of standards
  • Ensuring the Quality Inspection procedures are in harmony with the Modernization programmes undertaken with other major stakeholders e.g. KRA. 
  • Spurring economic growth through the manufacture of competitive quality products by ensuring that local manufacturers import and use quality raw materials and other industrial inputs

3. Are products bearing certification marks (e.g. Kite mark) exempted from the new regulations?
Yes, but the importer must demonstrate that the mark is valid and was awarded by an accredited body.

4.  Are personal effects covered by the new regulations?
Apart from motor vehicles, all other personal effects are excluded from the new regulations.
5. How often can the certificate be issued?
For each and every product constituting a consignment/ listed in the IDF, there must a test report or certificate.

6.  Can KEBS accept a test report/certificate issued by the Manufacturer of the same goods provided that they have ISO 17025 Accredited laboratory?

Note: KEBS shall accept a certificate from an independent party i.e. a third party.

7.  Are raw materials covered by the new regulation?
Yes, previously we have been clearing such goods on the basis of certificate of analysis. However any special case shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

STANDARDIZATION MARK
  1. What is the standardization mark?
    • The standardization mark is also referred to as S-Mark or SM is a mandatory mark of quality on all locally manufactured goods complying with the relevant standards
  2. Who issues the Standardization Mark?
    • The Kenya Bureau of Standards issues the Standardization Mark on behalf of the Government of Kenya.
  3. Who should apply for the Standardization Mark?
    • All manufactures operating in the Republic Of Kenya.
  4. What is the acquisition procedure?
    • Application
    • Payment of the fees
    • Compliance to minimum requirements set in the relevant standards
    • Assessment and award by the products certification committee.
    • A permit to use the mark is issued to the manufacturer plus the soft copy of the mark.

    Fees for the Mark
    All firms with less than 10 products/ brands will pay Ksh. 20,000 for the firm plus
    Kshs. 7,500 per product/ brand – all per year.

    All firms with more than 10 products, brands will pay Kshs. 20,000 for the firms plus Kshs. 5,000 per product/ brand – all per year.

    Jua kali, small and medium enterprises will pay the following per organization depending on their turnovers: 
    Kshs. 5,000 for turnover of Kshs. 0- 200,000
    Kshs. 10,000 for turnover of Kshs. 200,000 – 500,000
    And Kshs. 20,000 for over Kshs. 500,000

  5.  How long does it take upon application to be granted a Standardization Mark?
    • A manufacturer can acquire a standardization mark within 14 days once the product has been tested and shown compliance.
    6. What benefits does S-Mark bring to my business?
      • The product is assured of market access even in the regional EAC countries due to mutual recognition of the marks issued by the bureau in the region.
      • The product enjoys consumer confidence
      • The product quality is underpinned by the national quality system
IMPORT STANDARDIZATION MARK (ISM)
  1. What is the import standardization mark?
    The Import Standardization Mark is applied on all products that have an impact on health and safety (such as food, food products and food stuffs, electrical fittings, accessories and appliances, infant ware and toys)
  2. When is the mark issued?
    The mark is issued upon submission of Certificate of Conformity for clearance of goods at the entry point.
  3. How much does it cost?
                The mark is issued free of charge
  4. How is the mark issued?
    The mark is issued as a soft copy for each type of product in the consignment
  5. How is the mark applied?
    The mark shall be applied suitably on products to ensure traceability and shall be legible and conspicuous.
 
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