Compliance Guides
Step-by-step, plain-language explanations of what's required before you start a pathway.
A plain-language guide to PVOC for first-time importers
What to expect, which documents you'll need, and how long verification typically takes.
Choosing the right standards for a new food product
A step-by-step walkthrough for manufacturers entering the food and agriculture sector.
What happens if my certificate lapses before renewal?
Understanding renewal timelines and how the platform's reminder system works.
Compliance bundles: a lower-cost path for SMEs
How pre-assembled standard sets reduce the cost and confusion of first-time certification.
Export readiness: what changes by destination market
Why target-market requirements matter even when you already hold domestic certification.
How to spot a counterfeit Standardization Mark
What a genuine SMarks certification looks like, and how to verify it before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about certification, testing, payments, and renewals.
Certification
How long does certification typically take?+
Most certification pathways take 2–6 weeks from application to issuance, depending on whether laboratory testing is required and how quickly supporting documents are submitted.
Can I apply for certification before my product is finalized?+
You can identify applicable standards and begin gathering documents early, but formal application requires a finalized product specification since testing is conducted against the final formulation or design.
What happens if my application is rejected?+
You'll see the specific reason in your workspace's application status, along with what's needed to resubmit. Common reasons include incomplete documentation or test results that don't meet the standard's thresholds.
Testing & Laboratories
Which laboratories can perform my required testing?+
Testing is routed to accredited laboratories within the national network based on your product category. You can book directly from your certification pathway.
Do I need to resubmit samples if a test fails?+
Yes, a new sample is required for retesting, but your application and existing documents remain in your workspace — you won't need to resubmit paperwork already on file.
Payments
What payment methods are accepted?+
Standards purchases, testing fees, and certification fees can all be paid through your workspace's consolidated Payments section.
Are standards purchases refundable?+
Standards purchases include the current revision and are generally non-refundable once downloaded, since access is granted immediately upon purchase.
Renewals
When should I start my renewal?+
You'll receive an automatic reminder well before expiry, but starting a renewal at least 30 days before your certificate expires reduces the risk of a lapse in coverage.
What happens if my certificate lapses?+
A lapsed certificate means the product is no longer considered certified until renewal is complete — see the Compliance Timeline guide above for more detail.
News & Public Notices
Gazette notices, standards revisions, public review periods, and consumer safety advisories.
Draft Kenya Standard for packaged drinking water opened for public comment
Comment period closes 30 days from publication. Applies to manufacturers and importers of bottled water.
View affected standard →Revised standard for steel reinforcement bars now in effect
Construction-sector certificate holders should review the updated specification before their next renewal.
View affected standard →Consumer advisory issued for an unregistered cooking oil brand
Consumers are advised to verify cooking oil products using the Verification Centre before purchase.
Verify a product →Textile labeling standards under periodic review
No changes required for currently certified products at this time.
View sector hub →Draft revision to household electrical appliance safety standard opened for comment
Electronics manufacturers and importers are encouraged to review before the comment period closes.
View affected standard →