Accreditation in Action: KENAS Engages Industry During KAM Training Session
"Quality is not an act, but a habit."
This timeless quote resonated deeply during the recently concluded Special Session with KENAS, a highlight of the 3-day training and awareness program hosted by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) at Tulip Hotel, Nairobi.
KENAS was represented by Mr. Masinza, Manager – Calibration Laboratories Scheme, who delivered a dynamic and impactful session on the value of accreditation, its alignment with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and its role in fostering quality and compliance across industry.
From tracing KENAS’s foundational mandate to its growing continental footprint—including the accreditation of Zambia Bureau of Standards, the session equipped industry stakeholders with practical insights on how accreditation empowers manufacturers to compete locally and globally.
Understanding the Mandatory Accreditation Requirement
A key takeaway was the sensitization on the new legal requirements under the KENAS Act, Section 10A, which mandates that all Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) operating in Kenya be either:
- Accredited by KENAS, or
- Formally recognized through an exemption process, if accredited by a foreign accreditation body.
This provision aims to uphold trust, safety, and global recognition by ensuring that all conformity assessment services align with both national and international standards.
Mr. Masinza also walked participants through the KENAS online platform, where stakeholders can:
- Verify accreditation status
- Understand the exemption process
- Access up-to-date directories of accredited CABs
Looking Ahead: International Accreditation Conference 2025
The session concluded with an invitation to attend the upcoming International Accreditation Conference 2025, taking place on 11–13 November in Mombasa, Kenya, under the theme:
“Shaping Global Accreditation Practices for Excellence and Trust.”
