The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on Wednesday denied banning importation of used car parts amid backlash from spare part dealers who have been venting their anger at the regulator following media reports that the watchdog was keen on enforcing the ban.
In a dispatch sent to newsrooms on Tuesday, KEBS clarified that it instead has a policy– KS 2190:2013, Kenya Standard that guides the importation of used car parts.
According to KEBS, the Standard specifies acceptance criteria for acceptance of used motor vehicles spare parts.
KS 2190:2013 also provides for prohibition of used motor vehicle parts that shall not be imported if they are not properly packaged.
This is in consideration of the impact of use of such parts on the overall safety of the vehicle.
These parts include: tyres, tubes, ball joints, tie rod-ends, rack-ends, brake hose pipes, brake pipes, brake and clutch cables, bearings, rubber bushes, oil seals, spark plugs, filters, air cleaner elements, clutch plates, pressure plates release bearings, brake pads.
“This is not a new policy, neither a standard being introduced now, nor does it form part of the National Automotive Policy,” reads KEBS’ notice.
On Monday, media reports indicated that KEBS had in a notice sent to pre-shipment cargo inspectors outlined 17 types of spare parts banned from accessing the Kenyan market as the government steps up its efforts to ensure that buyers can access locally assembled vehicles at affordable prices as a measure to create more jobs by phasing out imports.
{Read: Star newspaper loses 4 reporters as cash woes mount}
But the regulator has clarified that the KS 2190:2013, Kenya Standard was formulated by the Road Vehicles Technical Committee under the guidance of the Standards Projects Committee and it is in accordance with the procedures of the KEBS.
The standard specifies the requirements of motor vehicles used spare parts and applies to all categories of motor vehicles used spare parts other than those for agricultural implements/tractors, earth moving tractors, forestry tractors and other related agricultural machinery.
{See also: Betting firms under siege in intensifying battle with Matiang’i}
Conversely, the standard states that no motor vehicle used spare part shall be offered for sale without inspection by a competent authority.
According to KEBS, all stakeholders including the Automobile Association of Kenya were involved in the development of the policy.
#KEBS clarification on the purported ban of used spare parts. pic.twitter.com/tlTkKQn1yL
— KEBS KENYA (@KEBS_ke) May 22, 2019
Leave a comment