List of 95 Businesses Required to Pay New Levy to KEBS

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has directed businesses classified as manufacturers to remit a Standards Levy, set at a rate of 0.2% of their monthly turnover related to manufacturing activities undertaken.

According to the agency, the maximum amount payable by the businesses will be Ksh4 million per year, which translates to Ksh333,333 per month.

However, businesses whose annual turnover is less than Ksh5 million will be exempted from paying the levy

Among the listed businesses are garages, bakeries, dry cleaning, fresh fruit and vegetable production, advertising, and cosmetics, among others.

Payments shall be made through KRA iTax on or before the 20th day of the succeeding month. 

Who is considered a manufacturer: According to KEBS, a manufacturer is any person or persons who produce, process, treat, install, test, operate, or use goods.

‍Why the levy was introduced: KEBS plans to channel the levy into a self-sustaining fund for product standardization, laboratory testing, and quality audits, thereby reducing its dependence on government funding and inspection fees.

‍Market reaction: With the imposition of the new levy, prices of goods may go up as manufacturers pass down the extra charges to the consumers.

Below is the List of the 95 Business Sectors Required to Pay KEBS’s Standards Levy  

Building and Construction

1. Construction and repair of roads.

2. Construction of bridges.

3. Waterways, sewers, and drainage construction, repair, and renovations.

4. Construction, alteration, and renovation of buildings.

5. Construction and installation of irrigation systems.

6. Drilling of boreholes.

7. Construction of dams.

8. Earth and excavation works.

9. Masonry and concrete works.

10. Flooring, roofing, glazing and timber works.

11. Interior design and painting works.

12. Plumbing and water proofing works.

13. Ceramics and natural stones works.

14. Aluminium works, steel works, and fabrications.

15. Lift and elevator installation.

16. Partitioning and ceiling installation.

17. Woodwork and furniture making.

18. Construction and installation of fences and security systems.

19. Quarrying and mining.

20. Manufacturing of construction materials and components.

21. Saw milling and wood treatment.

22. Gemstone cutting, processing of gems and precious stones.

23. Mining and semi-permeable stones and materials.

Textiles

24. Extraction of Fibres (plant, synthetic, animal, blended).

25. Spinning, knitting, weaving, and embroidery.

26. Textiles and apparel making.

27. Dyeing and printing.

28. Hides and skins processors.

29. Leather processing.

30. Leather products manufacturing.

31. Dry-cleaning.

32. Footwear manufacturing.

33. Handbags, wallets, purses making.

34. Extraction of Fibres (plant, synthetic, animal, blended). 

Mechanical Engineering

35. Assemblers.

36. Crankshaft grinding.

37. Panel beating and spray painting.

38. General repair and maintenance.

39. Metal works.

40. Containers and tanks.

41. Garages.

42. Lift assemblers and maintenance firms.

43. Bodybuilders.

44. Spare parts manufacturing, reconditioning, or engraving.

45. Steel plants, steam boilers, and gas installation.

46. Refrigeration and air conditioning.

47. Fuel pump installation.

48. Highway control materials

Electrical Engineering

49. Power generation, installation, and distribution.

50. Electrical and electronic equipment.

51. Telephone equipment wiring, installation, and maintenance.

52. Electrical rewinding and repairs.

53. Alarm, closed-circuit television, and electric fencing installation.

54. Air conditioning, refrigeration, and ventilation.

55. Electrical communication, installation, fitting, and wiring.

56. Lift installation and elevators.

57. Electronic communication installation.

58. Computer engineering installation, repair, and maintenance.

59. Software development.

60. Network and fibre installation.

61. Medical and laboratory equipment installation.

62. Electrical works, installation, fitting, and wiring.

63. Air conditioning works

Food and Agriculture

64. Pre-packaged foods.

65. Fresh fruits and vegetables.

66. Flowers and ornamentals.

67. Abattoirs and meat processing.

68. Bulk food processing.

69. Animal feeds.

70. Fish or seafood products.

71. Jaggeries.

72. Coffee or tea processing.

73. Bakeries, confectioners, and food compounders.

74. Millers.

75. Seed manufacturing and plant propagation.

76. Tobacco and related products.

Chemicals

77. Petroleum, gas, coal, and related products.

78. Water treatment and filtration works.

79. Agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, and re-packing of the same.

80. Paint and solvents.

81. Pulp, paper, and paper products.

82. Organic and inorganic chemicals and compounds.

83. Glass products.

84. Rubber.

85. Adhesives.

86. Polishes and waxes.

87. Polymer and polymer products.

88. Cinematography photographic studios.

89. Cosmetics and beauty products.

90. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

91. Advertising and sales promotion material design and production.

92. Printing, publishing, and screen printing.

93. Soaps, detergents, bleaches, and disinfectants.

94. Ceramics.

95. Medical, analytical, and industrial gas.