The National Accreditation Body for Kenya, KENAS has accredited Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme to ISO/IEC 17043.
A joint effort by EU EAC MARKUP II, Trade Mark and PTB supported the process that enabled KEBS to attain 21 accredited proficiency testing programmes. Out of these, 4 programmes focus on MARKUP II priority leather.
Significance of this achievement
The KEBS PT scheme accreditation is a key milestone in its efforts to enhance recognition. This implies that any laboratory successfully participating in a PT programme under the KEBS PT scheme would be recognized as competent in testing the respective commodities.
Additionally, the test methods applied by the individual laboratories may be accredited to relevant international standards because successful participation in proficiency testing programmes is a crucial step for laboratories seeking accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025.
Support to KEBS
The International Trade Centre supported the update and adoption of the Road Map for Accreditation of Proficiency Testing (PT) Providers, targeted for completion by July 2025. The revised roadmap was endorsed by the Testing Technical Subcommittee in December 2024, marking a key step toward strengthening quality infrastructure in the East African Community (EAC).
To build capacity, ITC provided tailored training and advisory services to PT service providers across the EAC Partner States, focused on key international standards: ISO/IEC 17043 – General requirements for the competence of PT providers, ISO 13528:2022 – Statistical methods for interlaboratory comparisons, ISO 19011:2018 – Guidelines for auditing management systems and with a tailored hands on support to KEBS, TBS and UNBS.
In June 2025, at the request of KEBS, Kenya hosted a MARKUP II Regional Training for Assessors in Nairobi, with 15 participants from Partner States. The training included practical auditing exercises based on KEBS’ own PT system documentation and a guided laboratory tour, offering hands-on experience and in-depth understanding of PT operations.
Steps Taken to Strengthen Tanzania’s Quality Infrastructure
Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and Uganda Bureau of Standards (UNBS) are also progressing steadily with their PT systems and aim for accreditation by the end of 2025.
A retreat workshop was held in Bagamoyo, Tanzania supported by the EU–EAC MARKUP II programme in collaboration with the TBS.
EU EAC MARKUP II continues to provide technical support, including documentation reviews and gap closure assistance, to ensure timely progress and sustainable quality assurance in the region.
In 2006, the EA Standards Committee established EAC Partner States’ Proficiency testing schemes with a view to facilitating accreditation of test methods. In 2021 a Proficiency Testing Scheme EAC Peer GAP Assessment was conducted, with the Trademark East Africa (TMEA)’s support.
