Regulator Wary of Market Full of Substandard Electricity Sockets

BT ReporterSep 22, 20201 Mins read3.1k

Seized socket outlets in Mombasa. The regulator on Monday confiscated 154 substandard imported portable socket outlets in Nairobi, Mombasa, Thika, and Hola.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on Monday confiscated 154 substandard imported portable socket outlets in Nairobi, Mombasa, Thika, and Hola.

According to the regulator, the seized socket outlets pose a great danger of electrocution to consumers as they do not have shutters, contrary to its specification for switched and unswitched socket outlets.

“It has come to our attention that dishonest economic operators including online traders are stocking and selling these substandard portable socket outlets. The use of substandard socket outlets can be fatal for consumers, especially children, who may poke objects into the exposed live parts,” KEBS Managing Director Lt Col (Rtd.) Bernard Njiraini said in a statement.

“We, therefore, urge consumers to avoid purchasing or using portable socket-outlets without shutters,” he added.

“Traders should also be warned that the sale of products that do not comply with Kenya Standards is prohibited by the Laws of Kenya under the Standards Act Chapter 496 with penalties including prosecution,” he further stated.

The seized goods will be destroyed at the owners’ expense.

Surveillance

Last week, the standards regulator confiscated 583 boxes of substandard cotton earbuds made of wooden stem.

The earbuds which were being sold under the brand name Chico were seized in Naivasha and Nyahururu for not meeting the specifications of Kenya Standard KS 2245 that requires cotton earbuds to be made of a polyethylene stem that does not break when bent to approximately 45º.

“Wood stick earbuds are a health and safety concern as they tend to break and splinter and may therefore injure the ear canal,” said Njiraini.

Still last week, the standards body also impounded hundreds of substandard non-woven carrier bags in Nyahururu that were found not to meet labeling or branding requirements as outlined in Kenya Standard KNWA 2284 – non-woven polypropylene bags specifications.