The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has issued a notice to all manufacturers following the introduction of a new standards levy under the Standards (Standards Levy) Order 2025.
In a notice on Tuesday, November 4, KEBS noted that every manufacturer will now be required to remit a standards levy to the Kenya Bureau of Standards at a rate of 0.2 percent of their monthly turnover.
With the levy capped at Ksh4 million, the bureau said it will apply to the value of goods manufactured, net of Value Added Tax (VAT), Excise Duty, and discounts where applicable.
"Following the gazettement of Standards (Standards Levy) Order 2025 vide the Legal Notice No. 136 dated 08th August 2025, all manufacturers are required to remit to Kenya Bureau of Standards, standards levy, recoverable at source, at the rate of zero point two percent (0.2%) of their monthly turnover in respect of manufacture undertaken, Net of Value Added Tax, Excise Duty and discounts where applicable, subject to a maximum of Kenya Shillings, Four Million Only, (Ksh4,000,000) per annum," the notice read.
KEBS further explained that all payments will be made through the Kenya Revenue Authority’s iTax system, and must be completed by the 20th day of the following month.
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However, the agency also stated that manufacturers with a turnover not exceeding Ksh5 million per year will be exempted from paying the levy.
"Payments shall be done through KRA iTax on or before the 20th day of the succeeding month. Manufacturers whose turnover of the goods manufactured, or services offered in each month, net of Value Added Tax, Excise Duty, and discount, does not exceed Kenya Shillings, five million (Ksh5,000,000) per year are exempted from paying levy. The order takes effect immediately following the gazettement," the notice added.
KEBS reminded the public that the term 'manufacturer' covers anyone involved in producing, processing, treating, installing, testing, operating, or using products, warning that non-compliance constitutes a criminal offence.
"Failure to comply with the standards levy order of 2025 is an offence under the Standards Act CAP 496, laws of Kenya. A manufacturer is defined to include a person or persons who produce, process, treat, install, test, operate and use," the notice further read.
In addition, KEBS directed all current and intending manufacturers to formally notify the Managing Director by submitting registration forms available through the KEBS Information Management System (KIMS).
The bureau noted that failure to notify the Managing Director does not excuse any manufacturer from paying the levy or any penalties that may arise.
KEBS further warned that late payments attract a penalty of 5 percent per month for the period the levy remains unpaid.
"Persons who manufacture or intend to manufacture are required to notify the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards by filing registration forms SL/1 available at the Kenya Bureau of Standards official website on KEBS Information Management System (KIMS).
"Note that failure to notify the Managing Director not only constitutes an offence under the Act but also does not absolve a manufacturer from paying the standards Levy and Penalty as prescribed in 10B (3) of the Standards Act, which is 5% monthly for the period the levy remains unpaid," the notice concluded.
This comes months after KEBS outlined the conditions and waiver requirements for the registration of police-auctioned motor vehicles.
In a notice on Tuesday, April 1, KEBS cited the enforcement of the Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles which prohibits the importation and registration of vehicles older than eight years from their first registration date.
However, the agency noted that under special circumstances, it may recommend a waiver of the age limit to the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.
"KEBS enforces KS 1515:2000 - Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles that prohibits importation and registration of motor vehicles that are more than eight (8) years of age from the year of first registration.
"However, KEBS may recommend to the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry to waive the age limit requirement subject to compliance to set Waiver Evaluation Technical Criteria (WETC) by applicants," the notice read.
KEBS made it clear that specific conditions must be met before a waiver for a police-auctioned vehicle is considered.
According to the notice, the applicant must provide a waiver application letter along with a multi-agency pre-auction report.
Applicants must also provide a Gazette Notice by the National Police Service listing the vehicle for auction, specifying units for use on roads and those for scrapping, in line with the multi-agency pre-auction report.
Other requirements are a court order authorizing the auction, license of the auctioneer who conducted the auction along with the certificate of sale.
A tape lift from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and an Interpol clearance is among the required documents.
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