Nairobi: Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui on Thursday met manufacturing stakeholders at the Ministry headquarters, NSSF Building, to discuss concerns and clarify provisions under the Standards Levy Order 2025.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kinyanjui said the engagement reaffirmed the vital role of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in strengthening the country’s quality infrastructure, supporting trade facilitation and protecting consumers. He noted that manufacturers with an annual turnover below Sh5 million remain exempt from the levy, a measure he said has benefited more than 10,000 MSMEs in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The discussions also examined the classification of manufacturing categories and the transition to the revised annual payment ceilings. Kinyanjui stated that the levy remains at 0.2 per cent of monthly turnover, excluding VAT, excise duty and discounts. The revised order adjusts the annual levy cap from Sh400,000 to Sh4 million for the first five years and Sh6 million by 2030.
Kinyanjui emphasized that predictability in levy administration will be prioritized going forward, including adopting an inflation-linked escalation framework and reviewing the First Schedule for clarity in manufacturing classes. He further noted that the ministry is reviewing import inspection charges to promote industrial growth and competitiveness.
A technical team has been assigned to work with KEBS to fast-track implementation of the resolutions reached during the engagement. The Standards Levy is a monthly remittance payable by manufacturers to KEBS, calculated as a percentage of turnover and applied within the exemption threshold and annual ceiling.
