The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has suspended the manufacturing permits of Rongtai Steel Company Ltd.
KEBS said this follows a market surveillance operation that revealed the production and distribution of substandard ribbed bars.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 28, KEBS 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.
According to KEBS, these products were found to violate the EAS 412-2:2019 specifications for ribbed bars used in concrete reinforcement, posing significant risks to construction safety and public welfare.
“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,” read the statement in parts.
Also Read: Canadian Billionaire Buys KK Security Company
KEBS Suspends Rongtai Steel Company Over Substandard Ribbed Bars
In light of this, KEBS advised the public against purchasing or using ribbed bars from Rongtai Steel Company Ltd until further notice.
The standards authority emphasized that the use of substandard construction materials can severely compromise the structural integrity of buildings, putting public safety at risk.
“As the custodian of standards in Kenya, KEBS remains committed to enforcing regulations that promote fair trade, protect consumers, and support economic growth,” the agency stated. To ensure safety, KEBS encourages the public to purchase only products certified by the Bureau. These certified products can be identified by checking for authorized certifications, packaging authenticity, and KEBS quality marks.
Also Read: Kenyan Company Becomes First in Africa to Have Prestigious U.S Certification
The regulatory body also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected substandard products.
Through the Wajibika Na KEBS program, consumers can easily verify the validity of the S-Mark permit by sending the code under the mark to 20023 (SM#Code) or the ISM Mark to 20023 (ISM#UCR NO) for product manufacturing details.
If the details are invalid or untraceable, the public is urged to report the issue to KEBS using the toll-free number 1545, available Monday to Friday during official working hours, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
KEBS also encourages anyone aware of foul play by manufacturers to report such cases to the Bureau to help safeguard public safety and uphold product standards in Kenya.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and join our WhatsApp Group for real-time news updates.
