The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on Tuesday, March 28, clarified that only tailors and carpenters with an annual turnover of Ksh200,000 would be required to pay the minimum monthly Standards Levy of Ksh1,000.
In a notice, KEBS noted that the levy was not new and had been in place over the years.
The clarification by the bureau came a week after it published a list of 82 businesses required to pay the mandatory monthly levy. Tailors, carpenters and plumbers were among those targeted.
"Obligations under the standards levy order apply only to manufacturers whose turnover exceeds Ksh200,000 annually.
"Any manufacturer whose turnover is below Ksh200,000 annually is exempt from paying the standards levy subject to regulation 9 of the standards levy order 1990," read the statement in part.
KEBS explained that it was necessary for the businesses to pay the levy which was used for various activities in the sector.
"We sincerely thank all the manufacturers who have continued to pay the standards levy. The fund supports SMCA for quality, trade and confidence for all Kenyan citizens," read the notice in part.
According to the Standards Levy, all manufacturers are required to pay 0.2 per cent of the monthly turnover with a minimum of Ksh1,000 monthly and Ksh400,000 per year.
Payments for the levy are also to be made before the 20th day of every succeeding month.
Other businesses that were categorised as manufacturers included electrical contractors, dry cleaners, borehole contractors, and transport operators among others.
The earlier notice by KEBS caused an uproar among Kenyans given that most businesses were struggling owing to the state of the economy.
"Hustlers such as painters, tailors, farmers, carpenters and dry cleaners are now considered manufacturers and are liable to pay KEBS 0.2 per cent of their income. What a caring and considerate government we have," Carol Nyaga scoffed over the plans.
