The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has highlighted the importance of metrology in ensuring sustainability especially now that the country is venturing into e-mobility.
Speaking at the regional metrology conference themed “measurement for sustainability”, Chief Manager Charles Musee said that measurements were important in supporting the economy of every country and the quality of standard products produced.
Musee said with the country is currently venturing into e-mobility technology where vehicles are using electric batteries instead of fuel, and it is paramount that the batteries are controlled and its quality checked.
“One of the qualities of a battery is its lifespan thus we do not expect as a country to end up having dead batteries after two to three months, therefore we must ensure that whatever we measure on the voltage of those batteries is sustainable and that they can retain charge for the people to enjoy the benefits of e-mobility,” he said.
He noted that the conference aims at sensitizing people on a better understanding of quality products to avoid counterfeits that might be hazardous to them in one way or the other.
He said that KEBS was on a mission to sensitize the public by laying out research done to ensure only quality products are consumed in the country.
He said in terms of quality, the government agency will protect the people from getting counterfeits; adding that they have representatives at all entry points to check on the products brought into the county.
He noted that KEBS has also unveiled a short SMS code 20023 to help Kenyans to verify if the item they are buying is of quality standard.
Musee said as an agency, they have invested a lot in this area to ensure they eradicate counterfeits in the country.
“When it comes to enforcement, the public is the main player; we want to enable the people to be informed and help us fish out those dealing with illegal businesses. If the public is informed and refuse to consume fake products, the perpetrators will not have a platform to sell their products,” he said.
National Institute of Standard USA Katy Delak noted that the rising number of electric vehicles is bringing rapid changes in the economy and environment hence the need to have changes in metrology infrastructure to support these developments.
Furthermore, Head of Organics at KEBS Dr. Caleb Luvonga highlighted the importance of developing metrology infrastructure in Africa to ensure precise measurements and standards which are essential for promoting trade, industry and quality control.
KEBS focuses on maintaining standards of products and practices of metrology in Kenya including calibrating precision instruments in measurements like temperature, mass, length, pressure, volume, force, electrical, time, frequency, acoustics among others and also provides training in the related fields. The Bureau is celebrating its 50 years’ anniversary having starting operations in 1974.
The conference’s target audience includes the National metrology institutes from AFRIMETS, calibrating and testing laboratories local and regional, Academia, Industry, researchers and regulatory bodies.
By Chari Suche and Nuru Soud
