Different products in shops or supermarkets bear marks of quality as approved by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
They include a Diamond Mark of Quality, a Fortification Mark of Quality, a Standardisation Mark and an Import Standardisation Mark of Quality.
According to KEBS, all the marks printed on products have special meanings relevant to consumers.
Standardisation Mark
This mark is essential for all buyers as it displays a certification scheme for locally manufactured goods.
According to KEBS, locally produced goods with the mark meet quality requirements in the country.
"A permit to use a Standardisation Mark is issued to a firm to certify that a particular product conforms to requirements in a Standard," KEBS indicates on its website.
Fortification Mark of Quality
Fortification Mark of Quality is printed on specific maize flour products, wheat flour, iodised salt and vegetable cooking oil. The adoption of the mark followed recommendations by the World Health Organisation in a move aimed at curbing micronutrient deficiency.
Kenya adopted the directive in 2012 and declared it mandatory to fortify certain food products.
Among the products placed with the Fortification Mark of Quality include wheat flour with zinc and iron, and dry milled maize products with zinc and iron.
Salt with iodine and vegetable fats, and oils with vitamin A have that mark printed on their packages.
Import Standardisation Mark of Quality
KEBS implemented the use of this mark in 2015. Its adoption was aimed at addressing rampant cases of faking KEBS quality marks.
Its roll out allowed the bureau to launch on-field real-time validation and verification of goods bearing its marks.
It was also unveiled to assist buyers in directly authenticating the validity of the certification of goods before buying.
To facilitate its implementation, the government directed all importers to apply for the Import Standardisation Mark of Quality.
Diamond Mark of Quality
Diamond Mark of Quality is not on all products; it is only a few goods.
According to KEBS, the Diamond Mark of Quality is voluntary and issued to manufacturers who have demonstrated high excellence.
"Diamond Mark of Quality permit holders thus qualify automatically for the standardization mark (SM) without any additional payments. The permit to use the mark is valid for period of three years, subject to satisfactory quality performance and full compliance to other contractual obligations signed between KEBS and the permit holder," KEBS explains.
