By Shaban Omar
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has urged traders to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to individuals impersonating KEBS officers and demanding bribes in exchange for approving products for the market.
Speaking in Kwale County, the Coastal Region Market Surveillance Manager KEBs Peter Makan said such fraudulent activities have caused significant financial losses to businesses.
“The activities of these fraudsters are not only resulting in substantial losses for traders but are also tarnishing the image and credibility of KEBS,” he said.
Makan advised traders to always verify the identity and authenticity of officers visiting their premises through KEBS online platforms or mobile verification services before engaging with them.
The officials also encouraged cooperatives, small-scale manufacturers, and entrepreneurs producing various goods to submit their products for quality assessment and certification before releasing them to the market.
According to KEBS, product certification not only helps businesses comply with quality standards but also enhances consumer confidence and protects the public from substandard products.
“KEBS certification opens up broader market opportunities for your products and boosts consumer confidence, unlike operating outside the required regulatory standards,” he said.
Makan added that KEBS has streamlined its certification processes, making them more efficient, accessible, and affordable for businesses of all sizes.
He said many traders and manufacturers often assume that obtaining certification is expensive and complicated, yet the process has been simplified to encourage compliance with quality standards.
According to Makan, the cost of certification is far lower than the potential losses businesses may incur when operating illegally, including product seizures, fines, market restrictions, and damage to their reputation.
He encouraged traders seeking certification or verification services to work directly with KEBS offices and official platforms to avoid falling prey to fraudsters posing as agency officials.
Manager Certification Department, KEBS Coast Region, Hassan Said Omar, also encouraged small-scale traders to embrace compliance with quality standards, saying it is one of the most effective ways of growing and sustaining their businesses.
He noted that compliance not only enables businesses to meet regulatory requirements but also enhances consumer confidence in their products and services.
According to Omar, many enterprises that started as small informal businesses have transformed into reputable and competitive organizations after adhering to the standards set by KEBS and other regulatory agencies.
He said businesses that comply with quality requirements are better positioned to attract new customers, secure contracts, and expand into new markets both locally and beyond.
“Many of the successful companies we see today began as small businesses. Through commitment to quality and compliance, they were able to build strong brands and earn the trust of consumers,” he said.
Omar said KEBS continues to conduct awareness campaigns and offer technical assistance to help businesses understand the certification process and take advantage of opportunities available through standards compliance.
Omar expressed confidence that increased compliance among small and medium-sized enterprises would contribute significantly to economic growth, job creation, and the overall competitiveness of locally produced goods in the market.
