NAIROBI,Kenya, Mar, 30 – Following a country wide market surveillance activity on galvanized roofing sheets, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has expressed concerns over the presence of substandard Roofing sheets in the market that do not fully comply with the requirements of, “KS EAS 11: 2019 and Hot-dip Galvanized plain and corrugated steel sheets – specification. KS EAS 410: 2021. Hot-dip Aluminium-Zinc coated plain and corrugated steel sheets – specification,” read a statement from KEBS.
According to KEBS,the test reports revealed that the weight of the coating metal used by some brands is way below what is stipulated in the Standard.
“This not only greatly compromises the quality and performance of the Roofing sheet metal but also, manufacturers of these brands are undercutting their competitors, resulting in a very uneven playing ground. It has also come to the attention of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) that some manufacturers are importing and processing roofing sheets whose widths are below what is stipulated in the standard,” said KEBS.
The standards regulator termed it,”a serious malpractice because buyers of such products do not get value for their money.”
Manufacturers have meanwhile been accused of failing to label some of their roofing products in clear contravention to standards guidelines making it difficult for consumers to make an informed decision while purchasing their products.
“Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) therefore wishes to warn manufacturers, importers and retailers that KEBS market surveillance officers will seize any substandard roofing sheets found in the market,”
KEBS now says that standardization marks permits for nom-complying brands are expected to be suspended pending corrective measures under their supervision.
As a result three brands have been deemed to have contravened KEBS standardization requirement.
They include; Galvanized Roofing Sheets from manufacturer, Haut International,Galvanized Roofing Sheets from Mwananchi Mabati Company Limited and Galvanized Roofing Sheets from manufacturer Obor technology Kenya Limited.
“The KEBS product certification scheme certifies and issues a Standardization Mark (SM) permit or Diamond Mark of Quality once the product complies with the relevant Kenya Standard. Imports are also issued with a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) number,”
Sale of products that do not comply with Kenya Standards is prohibited by the Laws of Kenya under the Standards Act Chapter 496 with penalties including prosecution.
Members of the public have now been urged to be vigilant and inform KEBS upon encountering any products suspected to be substandard.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
