KEBS suspends Chinese firm Rongtai’s operations over substandard steel bars
Rongtai’s operations have also been suspended until the company demonstrates full compliance with the required standards.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has suspended the manufacturing permits of Chinese firm Rongtai Steel Company Ltd following market surveillance operations that revealed the production and distribution of substandard ribbed bars.
According to a notice issued Tuesday by the regulator, the accessories from Rongtai violated the EAS 412-2:2019 specifications for ribbed bars used in concrete reinforcement, posing significant risks to construction safety and public welfare.
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"As part of the enforcement measures, KEBS has seized substandard products from the manufacturer's premises. We have also ordered a recall of all distributed substandard products from the market," read the statement.
Rongtai’s operations have also been suspended until the company demonstrates full compliance with the required standards.
"We have directed the company to immediately halt production of the non-compliant ribbed bars and suspended operations therein until it demonstrates full compliance with required standards," the statement said.
To safeguard the public, KEBS also issued a strong advisory against purchasing or using ribbed bars from Rongtai Steel until further notice.
"In light of this, KEBS strongly advises the public against purchasing or using ribbed bars from Rongtai Steel Company Ltd until further notice."
KEBS warned that the use of substandard construction materials undermines the structural integrity of buildings and endangers public safety.
As part of its broader mandate, KEBS assured the public of its commitment to upholding product standards and protecting consumer interests, urging Kenyans to inform them of any products suspected to be substandard.
"Wajibika Na KEBS is a programme that allows the public to report cases of substandard products. To wajibika, verify whether the S-Mark permit on your product is valid by sending the code underneath it to 20023. You can also send the ISM Mark to 20023 to get product manufacturing details. If the details are different, invalid or not traceable to the platform, kindly report to KEBS through Toll-Free Number 1545," KEBS said.
This suspension underscores KEBS' ongoing efforts to crack down on substandard products in the market, ensuring construction safety and the protection of public welfare.
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