The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has contracted nine international firms to carry out pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) services for general goods imported into Kenya.

This move starts on February 19, 2026 and runs for three years. KEBS aims to ensure that imports meet Kenyan standards before they leave exporting countries.

KEBS, set up under the Standards Act, Cap 496 of Kenya’s laws, checks the quality of imports. It inspects goods either in the country of origin through the PVoC programme or at Kenyan ports. The PVoC programme began in 2005 to protect consumers from substandard products, support fair trade, and safeguard the environment.

“The PVoC Program is a conformity assessment program applied to products at the respective exporting countries, to ensure their compliance with the applicable Kenyan Technical Regulations and Mandatory Standards or approved specifications,” states the KEBS website.

Old PVoC contracts for general goods ended on February 8, 2026. KEBS stopped the previous service providers from accepting new certification requests. They process requests received by February 8, as long as they issue certificates or reports by February 28.

“KEBS hereby informs all stakeholders and the public that the current PVoC contracts for general goods expired on 8th February 2026,” reads the expiry notice.

During this gap, KEBS subjects imports shipped from February 9, without valid certificates to destination inspections at ports. Importers pay 0.6 per cent of the approved customs value for these checks, with a minimum of USD 300 and a maximum of USD 3,500, plus testing fees if needed. KEBS urges importers to test products in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs before shipment.

KEBS updates inspection contracts

Used vehicles, mobile equipment, and spare parts stay under Quality Inspection Services Japan, unaffected by the change. The new contracts cover general goods. KEBS lists the nine appointed companies as:

1. Quality Inspection Services Inc. (Japan)
2. China Hansom Inspection and Certificate Co. Ltd
3. ASTC As Test Certification Tech (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd
4. China Certification and Inspection Group Company Limited
5. Intertek International Limited
6. Cotecna Inspection SA
7. TÜV Rheinland Middle East FZE
8. Bureau Veritas
9. Société Générale De Surveillance (SGS) SA

Each firm handles specific zones based on trade volumes and locations.

This update follows KEBS’s procurement under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015. It aims to cut delays and costs from substandard imports. Importers face higher fees for destination checks on consignments shipped after 1 March 2026 from zones with appointed firms.

KEBS sets this at five per cent of the approved customs value, per Legal Notice No. 78. For zones without firms, the 0.6 per cent fee applies.Stakeholders welcome the changes but worry about transition hiccups.

These contracts boost Kenya’s trade defences. They ensure imports match local standards, protect consumers, and support economic growth. Importers must adapt quickly to avoid penalties and delays at ports.

Stricter compliance framework

KEBS has also announced revised compliance standards for businesses operating in Kenya. On February 17, 2026, KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari confirmed updates to the Environmental Management System (EMS) and Auditing Management System (AMS), requiring firms to seek additional certification aligned with international ISO frameworks. The revisions are designed to strengthen accountability, ethical operations, and environmental sustainability, signalling a broader regulatory tightening by the standards agency.