KEBS Certification for Food Manufacturers in Kenya (2026)

If you make packaged food in Kenya, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) decides whether your product can carry a Standardization Mark. KEBS certification for food manufacturers is also the document supermarkets and wholesalers in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru ask for. This guide explains the marks, the online application, the factory inspection and the fee structure, using KEBS's own FAQs and forms read in October 2026. Fees and procedures change, so confirm everything with KEBS and its KIMS portal before you apply.

KEBS certification: the Standardization, Diamond and Import marks

KEBS's Certification Body FAQ describes three product marks. The Standardization Mark is described there as a mandatory mark for all locally manufactured products, and products with the Diamond Mark automatically qualify for it. The Diamond Mark is a voluntary quality mark for products with excellent performance. The Import Standardization Mark is for imported products that affect health and safety, such as foodstuffs. KEBS's Quality Assurance FAQ adds that the Standardization Mark (also called S-Mark) is issued under the Standards Act to Kenyan-made products that conform to the relevant standards and that it is valid for two years and renewable. See the KEBS Certification Body FAQs.

KEBS certification: how to apply for the Standardization Mark

According to the KEBS FAQ document (stored in KEBS's November 2024 upload folder), the S-Mark application runs through the KEBS Integrated Management System portal, KIMS:

Sign up on the KIMS portal (kims.kebs.org) and follow the guided application.
Pay the applicable fees.
Undergo a factory inspection to confirm compliance with the relevant product standards or codes of practice.
Develop and sign a scheme of supervision and control.
KEBS reviews and approves the application and issues the S-Mark permit.

The FAQ says KEBS accepts test reports from laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 but evaluates them before accepting them for certification. Permits are issued per manufacturing site and cannot be transferred to other sites, branches or firms. The older STA/1 form (Application Form for Grant/Renewal of a Permit to Use a Standardization Mark, version dated 10 June 2020) asks for the standardization mark, a description of the commodity, the brand or trade mark, applicant details, and a declaration that the commodity and its production process comply with the stated Kenya Standard, and it is submitted in duplicate. KEBS now points applicants to KIMS, so check the portal rather than relying on an old paper form. Read the KEBS Quality Assurance FAQ.

Fees: what KEBS publishes

KEBS's FAQ describes inspection and permit fees for the Standardization Mark, which differ by the size of the enterprise, and says KEBS must give written notice at least two calendar months before changing fees. Different KEBS pages disagree about how firms are classed by turnover, so we have not repeated any amounts or thresholds here. Ask KEBS which category applies to you and request the current fee schedule before you budget.

The Diamond Mark and the Food Fortification Mark

The Diamond Mark is a voluntary mark valid for four years, with its S-Mark carrying the same validity at no additional fee, according to the FAQ. Applicants use forms STA/1 and STA/3, pay the fees, comply with the standards and await assessment by the Permit Approval Committee. The FAQ says timelines depend on the enterprise's readiness and that many take about nine months from application, and it gives different fee figures for the Diamond Mark in different parts of the document, so ask KEBS for the current figure. KEBS also administers a Food Fortification Mark for the Ministry of Health, which the FAQ describes as mandatory and covering wheat flour and maize flour and edible oil; the applicant must already hold an S-Mark or D-Mark. For maize millers, see unga manufacturers in Kenya.

KEBS certification beyond products: HACCP and ISO 22000

KEBS's Certification Body also certifies management systems, including food safety systems such as HACCP, ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000, and food service hygiene under KS 2573. These are separate from the product marks. Larger buyers and export markets often ask for them; our guide to product standards and certification in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana places them in context.

How buyers verify your mark

KEBS says a mark can be verified on its website, through the KEBS app, by sending an SMS in the form SM#PERMIT NUMBER to 20023, or by calling the toll-free number 1545. Put your permit number on your labels, product pages and quotations so a buyer can check it quickly. Keep your permit current: an expired permit is a problem during a buyer audit or a market check.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Standardization Mark mandatory? KEBS describes it as a mandatory mark for all locally manufactured products. Confirm with KEBS how this applies to your product.

How long is the S-Mark valid? The KEBS FAQ states two years, renewable.

How do I apply? Through the KIMS portal at kims.kebs.org, according to KEBS.

Do I need KEBS if I only sell to wholesalers? Wholesale buyers often ask for permit numbers. See how buyers find verified wholesale suppliers in Kenya.

Which payment methods does Comilmart support for suppliers? Ask Comilmart through live chat or /contact-us.

Getting started

Once you have KEBS certification for your food products, or while your application is in progress, apply as a supplier at /apply-manufacturer. It is free to apply. The form asks for your company registration number, tax number, business licence, registration certificate and at least two sample product images, and admin review is stated as taking about 24 to 48 hours. Choose the category that fits your products. Buyers can submit requests at /request-quotation. As of October 2026, the KEBS pages above were the latest we could read; confirm all current requirements with KEBS before you apply.