NEMA to implement mandatory EPR import certificates starting March 14
By Emmanuel Rono, March 13, 2026The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced that starting Saturday, March 14, 2026, all importers of specified products must obtain an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Import Certificate through the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWIS).
In a public notice on the X account on Friday, March 13, 2026, NEMA said the EPR import certificate is intended to enhance efficiency and ease of doing business.
“This will take effect from 14th March 2026 and is intended to streamline import processes, enhance regulatory coordination, and improve the ease of doing business by enabling importers to apply for and obtain the required EPR Import Certificate through a single electronic platform integrated with other border regulatory agencies,” NEMA said in a notice.
NEMA has integrated the EPR Import Certificate process into NESWIS, a platform managed by the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade).
Sustainable waste management regulations
The authority said this new requirement is part of the implementation of the Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations, 2024, which were gazetted on November 4, 2024.
“The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, gazetted the Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations, 2024 on 4th November 2024,” NEMA said in a notice.
NEMA noted that the regulations promote environmentally sound management of products throughout their life cycle by obligating producers to take responsibility for the entire life cycle management of their products and packaging, including the post-consumer phase, in line with the polluter pays principle.
Under these rules, producers, including manufacturers, brand owners, and importers, are obligated to take responsibility for their products.
Public sensitization forums
The authority had organized a virtual sensitization webinar on March 12, 2026.
Following the virtual sensitization, NEMA has also scheduled a series of public sensitization forums across the country to assist stakeholders with the transition.
These forums will take place from March 16 to 20, 2026, from various regions including Coastal, Nairobi, and the Central and Western region.
In the coastal region, it is hosted in Mombasa, covering Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, Voi, and Taveta counties, including border points. While in Nairobi and the Central Region, NEMA will host in Nairobi, covering Nairobi, JKIA, Nyeri, Machakos, Meru, Kerugoya, Thika, Naivasha, Nakuru, and Embu.
In the Western region, Kisumu will host, covering Kisumu, Eldoret, Busia, Malaba, Kisii, and Kakamega, including border points.