Kenyans will now be able to access services from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) through their mobile phones after the standardization company unveiled a mobile integrated system yesterday, October 14.
The new Integrated Quality Assurance and Inspection system will allow consumers to get information on the authenticity of products they wish to purchase, as part of efforts for KEBS to fight against fakes and counterfeits. The move will see manufacturers and traders be given special identity numbers for their products, with consumers using the numbers to send a text message through the code 20023.
KEBS unveiled the system as the company marked its 40th anniversary during the World Standards Day, which is celebrated every year on 14th October. The system will also be used for the issuance of standardization marks, clearance of imports and market surveillance.
“The new technology will facilitate efficient dissemination of information collected through quality assurance, import inspection, testing, market surveillance and monitoring, all in different certificates and in data to support compliance,” said Charles Ongwae, Managing director KEBS. KEBS has plans to integrate the new system with the already existing financial management and laboratory information management systems.
Ongwae said with the system in place, consumers from Mombasa to Malaba border will be able to verify the authenticity of permits and the marks of quality by sending a text message from their mobile phones.
This new move has come at an opportune time when Kenya is trying to deal with the entry of sub-standard goods and counterfeit products through borders in the North and other entry points.
