Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has allowed manufacturers and individuals to access specific Standards related to the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) free-of-charge.

This is aimed at meeting the rising demand for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“KEBS is facilitating businesses – ensuring they produce items that meet the specific requirements as well as complementing government’s efforts to safeguard the health and safety of all Kenyans,” said Lt. Col. (Rtd) Bernard Njiraini, Managing Director.

According to KEBS, safety and performance are central to protecting the users of these items – largely helping to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The standards available on KEBS website for free public access during this period include:

KS EAS 789:2013, for the Instant hand sanitizers

KS 2636:2016, for the Surgical masks

KS ISO 11193-1:2002, for the Single-use medical examination gloves – made from rubber latex or rubber solution:

KS ISO 11193-2:2006, for the Single-use medical examination gloves – made from poly (vinyl chloride):

KS ISO 10282:2002, for the Single-use sterile rubber surgical gloves

These standards shall be appropriately watermarked “Provided by KEBS. Limited Access during COVID-19 Emergency. Personal use only.”

The country is producing Personal Protective  Equipment(PPEs) which we have approved in collaboration with the State Department for Industrialization and the Ministry of Health.

“Our mandate as a regulator in the industry is to provide guidelines and leadership when it comes to production of these products and equipment – PPE. So that we can give level of confidence to Kenyans, we have to control what is being manufactured and offered for sale to ensure it conforms to the requirements of the respective Standards,” said Njiriani during a session with PPE manufacturers who want to start mass production of those gears that include masks and gowns.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes protection of the head, eye, and neck, hearing protection, protective clothing, respiratory protection, professional boots, protection against falling, protection of the hands and others. 

Personal protective equipment is used in various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, transport, among others. 

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has already published a list of 17 local manufacturers who will produce the material (Non-Woven Polypropylene) needed to manufacture 3-ply face masks (due to their high filtration ability).

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