TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, and climate reporting, which offers deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Kenyans using steel bars in construction have been warned against substandard products in the market.

This is after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) flagged Rongtai Steel Company for producing substandard products.

KEBS suspended the manufacturing permits of the Nairobi-based steel factory after conducting market surveillance operations, which revealed the manufacturing and distribution of substandard ribbed bars.

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"We strongly advise the public against purchasing or using ribbed bars from Rongtai Steel Company Ltd until further notice. The use of substandard construction materials undermines the structural integrity of buildings and endangers public safety," said KEBS.

The standards regulator ordered the company to stop production and recall all distributed non-compliant products.

"These products were found to violate the EAS 412-2:2019 specifications for ribbed bars used in concrete reinforcement, posing significant risks to construction safety and public welfare.

"As part of the enforcement measures, KEBS has seized substandard products from the manufacturer's premises and the market, directed the company to immediately halt production of the non-compliant ribbed bars, ordered a recall of all distributed substandard products from the market, and suspended operations of the company until it demonstrates full compliance with required standards," the regulator added.

KEBS said it will continue with its commitment to enforce standards that promote fair trade practices, protect consumers, and support economic growth.

The regulator urged Kenyans to safeguard themselves by purchasing only KEBS-certified products.

"These can be identified by checking for authorized certifications, packaging authenticity, and KEBS quality marks," KEBS added.

In related news, reported that KEBS identified two companies fraudulently claiming to be authorised to issue certifications in Kenya.

KEBS clarified that it has not approved or affiliated with the two companies and described their actions as deliberate attempts to defraud the public.

The bureau described the two firms' claims as deliberate attempts to deceive and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The regulator urged the public to avoid engaging with fraudulent entities and to seek certification services only through KEBS's official website or offices nationwide.

To ensure authenticity, KEBS advised the public to seek certification services only through its official website, www.kebs.org, or by visiting KEBS offices nationwide.

KEBS further reminded Kenyans to verify the authenticity of KEBS quality marks using the official KEBS mobile app or by sending a text to 20023, providing details such as the permit or product number.

Source: TUKO.co.ke