The Organic Chemistry Laboratory is one of the laboratories in the biochemical section of testing services department of KEBS. The laboratory is headed by a head of laboratory responsible for the technical and administrative operations of the laboratory. He is a competent analyst and leads a team of NINE competent and experienced analysts and ONE technician. The laboratory also has TWO support staff as laboratory attendants.

The laboratory has been running a quality management system based on ISO/IEC 17025 since the year 2002 and was formerly accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS). The laboratory currently has EIGHT methods of test accredited by South Africa National Accreditation Services (SANAS). The scope of accreditation includes:

1. Determination of Total Fatty Matter (TFM) in soaps.
2. Determination of matter insoluble in ethanol (MIE) in soaps
3. Determination of free caustic alkali (FCA) in soaps
4. Determination of total dissolved solids (TDS) in alcoholic beverages
5. Determination of Ethanol content in alcoholic beverages.
6. Determination of flash point in petroleum products (AGO)
7. Determination of density in petroleum products ((AGO)
8. Determination of kinematic viscosity (KV) at 40°C in petroleum products.

The laboratory participates in interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) and proficiency testing (PT) schemes offered by international reputable and accredited PT provider like FAPAS, ARA, NMISA, and BIPM among others. Participation in PT schemes is aimed at benchmarking the laboratory’scompetence with that of other laboratories, both locally and internationally, and also as a tool for quality control (QC).

The laboratory also offers proficiency testing for total fatty matter (TFM), matter insoluble in ethanol (MIE) and free caustic alcohol (FCA) in soaps and ethanol and methanol in alcoholic beverages. The laboratory has also filed claims of calibration and measurement capabilities (CMCs) in the international bureau of weights and measures (BIPM) Key Comparison Database (BIPM.KCDB) for ethanol in aqueous media.

In order to support the national transport and safety authority (NTSA), the laboratory periodically maintains and calibrates evidential breathalyzers to provide traceability of measurement. The laboratory also supports the wines and spirits industry by offering certified reference materials (CRMs) for the calibration of gas chromatographs and Alcolyzers among others.

Contacts:

Paul Rubia Njenga
Head of Laboratory - Organic Chemistry
Testing Services Department
Kenya Bureau of Standards
Popo road, off Mombasa road
P.O. Box 54794 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 6948368
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.