KENYA – Kenya’s Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) has invited the public and industry stakeholders to comment on its Draft Labeling Guidelines, developed under the Pest Control Products (Labeling, Advertising and Packaging) Regulations, 2024 (Legal Notice 194).
The public participation period runs from July 25 to August 24, 2025. Comments can be submitted online via the PCPB’s provided form.
The proposed guidelines adopt the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), an international framework for classifying and labeling chemicals. According to the PCPB, adopting GHS aims to enhance human health and environmental protection, reduce unnecessary testing, and support safe trade in pest control products.
Under the draft guidelines, all labels must indicate the product’s class designation, such as Restricted Use, Commercial, or Domestic. Labels are required to display manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers, and shelf life.
Instructions for safe storage, including the phrase “KEEP LOCKED OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN,” must appear prominently. Pictograms showing the pest controlled by the product and its intended usage area, whether crop or animal, are also mandatory.
Packaging and advertising requirements
The regulations outline packaging standards requiring that packaging materials be durable, safe during storage and use, and designed to minimize degradation or interaction with external elements.
Labels and packaging must receive approval from the Board before products are distributed or sold.
Advertising is regulated under the draft guidelines. Advertisements must be factual, supported by evidence, and cannot make direct comparisons with other registered products. Statements implying government approval or recommendation of products are prohibited.
The regulations provide mechanisms for reporting adverse effects, counterfeit products, or expired pest control products to the Board. Reports can be submitted orally or in writing through email, letter, or social media platforms.
Curbing counterfeit products
Earlier this year, Kenya revised its pesticide import regulations to enhance traceability and compliance.
The regulations introduced a requirement for importers to provide detailed documentation on pesticide sources, composition, and shipment routes before clearance. This measure aims to curb the entry of unregistered or counterfeit pesticides into the Kenyan market.
In addition, the Pest Control Products Board recently banned 77 pesticides deemed to pose risks to human health, animal health, or the environment. The ban followed a review of active ingredients and formulations, aligning with global trends that seek safer alternatives to hazardous pesticides.