The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has suspended the manufacturing permits of Rongtai Steel Company Ltd over the production and distribution of substandard ribbed bars.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 28, KEBS said the affected products failed to meet the EAS 412-2:2019 specifications, posing serious risks to construction safety and public welfare.
According to KEBS, the decision was made after identifying violations in the quality standards for ribbed bars used in concrete reinforcement.
As a result, the bureau has taken enforcement measures, including seizing the substandard products from the manufacturer's premises and the market.
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Additionally, the company has been ordered to immediately halt production of the non-compliant ribbed bars and recall all distributed substandard products.
"As part of the enforcement measures, KEBS has seized substandard products from the manufacturer’s premises and the market, directed the company to immediately halt production of the non-compliant ribbed bars, ordered a recall of all distributed substandard products from the market, and suspended operations of the company until it demonstrates full compliance with required standards," the statement read in part.
KEBS advised the public against purchasing or using ribbed bars from the company, adding that substandard construction materials endanger public safety.
"In light of this, KEBS strongly advises the public against purchasing or using ribbed bars from Rongtai Steel Company Ltd until further notice. The use of substandard construction materials undermines the structural integrity of buildings and endangers public safety," the statement added.
