The outdated 1974 standards law KEBS wants changed

• KEBS Director-General Esther Ngari says the existing Standards Act, which dates back to 1974, was designed for a very different economy.
• The proposed legislation, she added, seeks to establish structures that will enable KEBS to exercise oversight in the changing business environment.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is pushing for sweeping changes to the law governing its operations, saying the current legislation is increasingly inadequate to deal with emerging business practices, particularly the growing trade in online marketplaces.

The proposed changes, contained in the Standards Bill, seek to give the regulator new powers to oversee a rapidly changing business environment, strengthen enforcement through tougher penalties and improve consumer protection.

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  Nairobi emerges as counterfeit goods hotspot amid crackdown

  Authorities and licensed manufacturers are sounding the alarm over bottle recycling scams.

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  Miraa juice crackdown: Sh1m fine, jail for misuse of Kebs quality mark

  Members of the public are advised that khat-infused beverages are not currently certified by Kebs.