NAIROBI, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Wednesday introduced new rules to curb importation of substandard goods in the country.
Peter Munya, the cabinet secretary in the ministry of industry, trade and cooperatives and Henry Rotich, the cabinet secretary in the national Treasury and planning, said in a joint statement that the new rules will come into effect through a legal notice No. 127 of 128, the standards (inspection of imports) order 2018.
"The new law requires all imported goods destined to Kenya to undergo mandatory inspection in the country of origin or supply prior to shipment into Kenya. Goods loaded which arrive at the port of entries without having gone through the Pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) process will not be allowed into the country," they said.
They noted that the PVoC assessment procedure at the country of origin was put in place to ensure compliance of imported products with applicable Kenyan standards.
The two officials noted that the general public and importers of goods into Kenya should ensure that goods loaded on or after Oct. 1 will be expected to fully comply with the provision of the legal notice.
The senior government officials said the new rules are aimed to ensure the quality of products, health and safety and environmental protection for Kenyan consumers.
"The requirements will also facilitate trade by ensuring that compliant goods are given expedited clearance at the port of entry," they added.
The state-owned Kenya Bureau of Standards has also appointed inspection agents who shall issue the certificate of Conformity (CoC)/Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) in respect of goods or motor vehicles that conform to the relevant Kenyan standards and other applicable regulations.
Early this year, the government established a multi-agency team that will spearhead the seizure of illicit goods in the market and the eventual destruction of those that are found to have flouted the law.
