The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has issued new guidelines targeting six common household commodities.
KEBS stated that the guidelines were aimed at improving the quality of the products that are manufactured in the country with the aim of improving the safety of Kenyans.
The areas targeted include household ceramic tiles, biogas, greenhouse gasses, and bamboo.
For ceramic tiles, the regulatory agency stated that it was introducing moisture expansion standards - the ability of tiles to expand when subjected to heat such as boiling water.
KEBS Managing Director, Bernard Njiraini, stated that the changes were aimed at improving the quality of the tiles.
With the aim of targeting girls, KEBS has also introduced new standards for homemade sanitary towels through Do-It-Yourself (DIY) standards to promote menstrual hygiene.
The agency stated that the move was informed by research that shows that only 35 per cent of women in the country can get access to quality sanitary pads.
“When renovating or building your home, an important aspect you should consider is the material used – whether it’s your bathroom, kitchen, or other living space. Quality tiles that measure to proper standards are a must for you and your family to remain safe and also improve the aesthetic quality of your house,” Njiraini stated.
On the other hand, Njirani stated that KEBS had developed standards for the design of biogas production noting that many Kenyans had not embraced it despite being an alternative source of energy.
Additionally, KEBS released guidelines for online learning that has become common in many institutions after the global pandemic.
"The goal of the Kenya standard is to provide fixed structures and communication protocols for distant-learning objectives. This enables interoperability between applications, by providing uniform communication guidelines that can be used throughout the design, development, and delivery of learning objects.
"When these standards are incorporated into off-the-shelf products, developers can base their purchasing decisions on quality rather than compatibility," Njiraini stated.
