New Rules on Imports Spell Doom for Small Traders

The new rules and regulations on importations by the Kenya Bureau of Standards are likely to hurt traders who import items in small quantities which is in turn going to hurt the SME sector.

The new rule requires all those who import the goods into the country to have a certificate of conformity, a rule that spells doom to small traders who are likely to be shunned by manufacturers.

This rule came into effect as from December 1st last year and it requires all goods to be inspected and certified by agents from the Kenya Bureau of Standards at the source market in order to satisfy that they are of the standard required and within the rules of importations..

There has been increased cases of substandard imports in the recent past something that forced the implementation of the rule.

This implies that at the moment goods will no longer be allowed into the country without being accompanied by a certificate of conformity.

It will now be difficult for small traders to bring into the country goods that are imported in small quantities because manufacturers are likely to only favor those who deal with the imports of bulk goods alone.

Traders who deal in items that are not largely consumed within the country like sewing machines are likely to be hurt hit because manufacturers are likely to shun away from dealing with them as a result of the regulations.

What is a certificate of conformity?

Manufacturers as well as importers of goods into a country who deal and import products of general use for which consumer product safety rules apply, must certify, in a written Certificate of Conformity, based on the testing or a reasonable testing program that their products adhere to the rules and regulations set.

Article by Juma Fred.