The Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui has urged local manufacturers to adopt the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)’ Diamond Mark of Quality. This us to enhance their competitiveness and build sustainable businesses.
Speaking during a high-level breakfast meeting hosted by KEBS at Serena Hotel, Nairobi. Kinyanjui emphasized the need for manufacturers to prioritize quality excellence. Which is a key pillar of Kenya’s industrial and export-led growth.
The event celebrated companies that have earned the coveted Diamond Mark of Quality. KEBS’ highest certification for consistent product excellence and safety.
Kinyanjui at the same time pledged the government’s commitment to empowering manufacturers. By smoothening regulations relating to importation like the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program. It would enhance production and trade for local manufacturers.
Trade CS also said harmonization of regional quality standards had made it easier for local products to penetrate regional markets. The products bearing the Diamond Mark of Quality enjoying a competitive edge.
Kinyajui however urged the local enterprises to invest in quality excellence. So as to stand a chance of playing at the continental and global level. “In the pursuit of sustainable development, our industries must adopt best practices and invest in professional development to cultivate a culture where quality is not only a standard to uphold but a value we live by”, he stated.
The Cabinet Secretary urged local manufacturers to work closely with KEBS. In order to align their quality and capacity so that they can take advantage of the vast trade opportunities within the ACFTA stating, “Through the quality management frameworks of the Kenya Bureau of Standards. We empower Kenyan industries to compete on a global scale. This, in turn, attracts foreign investment and positions Kenya as a hub for quality-driven development in Africa”.
He said the government prioritizes quality as a national goal. And was willing to support manufacturers to attain excellence in quality through establishment of the requisite physical and policy infrastructure.
“By prioritizing quality as a national goal, we are building a system that supports local businesses, drives innovation, and ensures sustainable, inclusive growth that reaches every Kenyan”, said the Cabinet Secretary adding that the commitment by manufacturers to the highest level of quality supports the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda leading to job creation and growth of the GDP through local manufacturing and exports.
Dr. Wamalwa said the Diamond Mark of Quality has been a vision that has helped position Kenyan products on the global map through world-class quality representing consistency, safety, and discipline. “The Diamond Mark of Quality goes beyond minimum compliance by demonstrating unwavering commitment to product excellence, sustainability, and consumer safety.
It symbolizes consistent quality, robust internal controls, and a demonstrated commitment to safeguarding both consumer health and the environment.”, he stated.
KEBS administers three product certification schemes: the mandatory Standardization Mark, the Fortification Mark, and the voluntary Diamond Mark.
They must also embed quality and environmental consciousness into their daily operations. Permit holders gain more than just a symbol of trust. They enjoy faster access to markets, smoother trade processes, improved export opportunities, and stronger brand positioning.
And one powerful but often overlooked benefit is exemption from Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVOC) inspections for imports into Kenya.
In her remarks, the KEBS Managing Director said the KEBS Diamond Mark of Quality was a preserve of organizations whose processes have stood the test of rigorous evaluation, continuous improvement, and unwavering commitment to quality.
She however pointed out that achieving the Diamond Mark was not an end in itself and there was a need to continue strengthening our certification process by aligning it to the best global practices, including ISO/IEC 17065:2012. Surveillance, compliance audits, and performance monitoring which are integral to preserving the integrity of the Diamond Mark of Quality.
KEBS is intensifying its market surveillance efforts including for overseas manufacturers. To ensure that products bearing the D-Mark continue to reflect the excellence it promises.
Moreover, the Managing Director assured SMEs that quality was attainable. It was not a preserve of multinationals announcing that KEBS was scaling up awareness campaigns. Also to encourage new entrants into the Diamond Mark Scheme.