Empowering Quality, Trade, and Digital Security: KENAS Accredits KEBS to Four Strategic International Standards

In a landmark advancement for Kenya’s quality infrastructure, the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) has officially accredited the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to multiple globally recognized standards—fortifying the nation’s position in product safety, information security, laboratory services, and sustainable agriculture.

At a high-level certificate handover ceremony, KENAS awarded KEBS with four key accreditations:

1. ISO/IEC 17065 – Accreditation as a Product Certification Body
2. ISO/IEC 17043 – Accreditation as a Proficiency Testing Provider
3. ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – Extension of KEBS's management system certification scope for Information Security
4. ACAP (ARS/AES 01:2014) – Accreditation under the African Certification of Agricultural Products scheme

“Today is a proud moment for Kenya’s quality infrastructure,” said Dr. Walter Ongeti, CEO of KENAS. “By accrediting KEBS to these globally recognized standards, we are not only enhancing consumer trust but also unlocking massive opportunities for Kenyan businesses—across agriculture, manufacturing, and digital sectors.”

What These Accreditations Mean

✅ ISO/IEC 17065 – Product Certification

This standard affirms KEBS's competence in certifying products like the Standardization Mark (S-Mark), Diamond Mark, and Food Fortification Mark. It ensures products meet stringent safety, health, and performance criteria through impartial evaluations.

• KEBS becomes the second product certification body in East Africa to be accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 by KENAS, after Burundi’s BBN.
• The accreditation strengthens compliance, particularly for locally sold products where the S-Mark is mandatory.

✅ ISO/IEC 17043 – Proficiency Testing (PT) Provider

With this accreditation, KEBS can now offer reliable inter-laboratory comparisons, improving consistency and accuracy across national and regional laboratories.

• Local labs can now access PT services without relying on costly international providers, previously located in the Middle East or beyond.
• This development boosts Kenya’s lab ecosystem and supports accreditation readiness for more local laboratories.

✅ ISO/IEC 27001:2022 – Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)

As cyber threats grow, KENAS has extended KEBS’s accreditation scope under ISO/IEC 17021-1 to certify organizations to ISO/IEC 27001:2022.

• Banks, tech firms, cloud providers, and public institutions can now access ISMS certification locally with global credibility.
• This positions Kenya to meet rising demand for digital security assurance.

✅ ACAP – African Certification of Agricultural Products

Under the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), KENAS has accredited KEBS to implement the ACAP scheme, based on ARS/AES 01:2014.

• KEBS joins Zambia’s ZABS as only the second certification body in Africa accredited under this sustainability scheme.
• This supports eco-labelling, agro-sustainability, and the climate resilience of Kenya’s agricultural exports.

Strategic Impact: What This Means for Kenya and Africa

“These accreditations are not just technical achievements—they are tools of transformation,” emphasized Dr. Ongeti.

For Consumers

Products with the S-Mark, Diamond Mark, or Food Fortification Mark have been verified by internationally accredited systems—ensuring safety, authenticity, and trust.

For Businesses

With certification services locally available under international standards, barriers to trade are lowered, costs are reduced, and export readiness is enhanced.

For Laboratories and Institutions

Local PT services cut costs and shorten timelines for labs pursuing accreditation. Meanwhile, organizations requiring information security assurance can access globally trusted cybersecurity certification without going abroad.

For Africa

The ACAP accreditation aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 by supporting mutual recognition, sustainability, and continental trade integration.

The recent KENAS–ARSO MoU enables KENAS to accredit certification bodies across Africa under the ACAP scheme, offering a unified framework for sustainable product certification on the continent.

A Call to Action

Dr. Ongeti concluded with an invitation:

“We encourage manufacturers, laboratories, technology companies, and agribusinesses to take advantage of these enhanced schemes. Together, we can make Kenya a regional hub for quality, security, and innovation.”

Accreditation is more than a stamp of approval—it’s the infrastructure behind trust. With these strategic milestones, KENAS and KEBS are paving the way for a safer, more competitive, and integrated African market.