Section 1: Accreditation Demystified (KENAS)
What’s the difference between accreditation and certification?
Certification shows that a product, system, or service meets a standard, e.g., a company certified to ISO 22000. Accreditation goes a step further: it confirms that the lab, inspection body, or certification body is competent to deliver those services reliably. Think of it as the credibility check behind certification.
Why does international alignment matter?
Accreditation only works if it’s trusted beyond borders. KENAS is aligned with International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation – ILAC (for labs/inspection) and International Accreditation Forum – IAF (for certification/verification). This alignment means your results are recognized globally, avoiding costly re-testing abroad. It also ensures that Kenya’s accreditation framework follows the same rules as its peers worldwide.
How can we check if a lab or body is accredited?
- Look for the KENAS accreditation mark on certificates and reports — it states the standard and scope.
- Verify directly through the KENAS public register on the website.
Note: KENAS doesn’t publish technical signatory lists online because they change frequently; these are confirmed with the entity during assessment.
Is accreditation by KENAS mandatory in Kenya?
Yes. Following the 2024 Business Laws amendments, accreditation is now mandatory for all conformity assessment bodies. Regulations to operationalize this are being finalized through planned public participation forums.
How does accreditation link with KEBS, Ministry of Health, and other regulators?
Regulators rely on accredited results to enforce food safety and quality:
- KEBS: Products with the SMARK mark depend on accredited certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17065) and accredited testing laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025). KEBS regulates products, while KENAS accredits the bodies that assess them.
- Ministry of Health: Food safety controls, such as testing for contaminants, residues, or microbiological hazards, require results from accredited laboratories. Licensing and compliance schemes under the MoH are strengthened by accreditation.
Can individuals also be accredited or certified?
Individuals are not accredited. Instead, they are certified or licensed by professional bodies, which themselves can be accredited to run those schemes. Always ask: “Is my professional body accredited?”
What happens if a lab fails to maintain accreditation (suspension vs withdrawal)?
- Suspension (typically up to ~6 months): for issues like loss of competence/personnel, not informing KENAS of major changes, non-payment of annual fees, or non-cooperation with surveillance.
- Withdrawal: If issues remain unresolved, accreditation is withdrawn.
KENAS focuses on risk reduction and restoring confidence, not punishment.
What support exists for SMEs or new labs seeking accreditation?
Start with a narrow scope and grow. Train your team on the relevant standard (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025), then apply. KENAS provides guidance, training, and is developing a stepwise approach to help MSMEs move through accreditation in manageable stages. In-house trainings can be arranged for small teams.
Is KENAS just a service body or also a regulator (“super regulator”)?
KENAS provides the accreditation service that regulators depend on to ensure competence across sectors. With mandatory accreditation and advisory to regulators, KENAS functions as a “super-regulator” backbone, enabling good regulatory practice through competent conformity assessment.
What about foreign accreditations (e.g., SANAS, UKAS)? Why must we go through KENAS?
Under Kenyan law, bodies operating in Kenya must be accredited by KENAS. If already accredited abroad, they must apply for a KENAS exemption/approval (an extra step and cost) and ultimately transition to KENAS at the end of the cycle. Because all ILAC/IAF signatories are peers, this isn’t about “who’s superior” but territorial oversight and public protection.
Section 2: A Lab’s Journey to Accreditation (Cyril Ogonda, Clarity Standards Laboratory)
What inspired Clarity Standards Lab to pursue accreditation?
Our mission is safeguarding public health through timely, globally benchmarked testing. To live up to that, we needed accreditation. It’s the only way to prove we meet international standards and build trust with clients.
Where are you currently in the ISO/IEC 17025 process?
We started operations in June 2024 and submitted our final application in May 2025. By July, KENAS assessors had already visited us for a 3-day on-site review. We addressed the nonconformities, submitted evidence, and now we’re in the final stage waiting for the accreditation decision. It’s been a fulfilling journey seeing how far we’ve come.
What challenges have you faced as a new lab?
Three main ones:
- Small team: With limited staff, we had to balance daily testing work with heavy ISO documentation. That stretched us thin.
- Finances: Accreditation comes with costs, from training and consultants to closing nonconformities. Delays often came from budget constraints.
- Technical hurdles: Proficiency testing (PT) was tough. Many providers are abroad with mismatched scopes. The recent accreditation of local PT providers in Kenya is a big relief.
How has engaging with KENAS shaped your approach to competence & quality?
It made us more disciplined. Accreditation forces you to document, audit, and improve constantly. It’s not just about passing assessments, it’s about building a culture of accuracy and accountability.
What advice would you give other labs starting this journey?
- Plan early and thoroughly. Don’t wait until you’ve been operational for years, start as soon as possible.
- Keep checklists. Track every requirement, from equipment calibration to documentation.
- Network. Learn from peers who’ve gone through it.
- Be patient. Accreditation takes time, resources, and persistence, but it pays off in trust and credibility.