In Kenya, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) sets comprehensive standards for bottled water to ensure safety, hygiene, and quality. Compliance with these standards is mandatory for all bottled water producers operating in the country.
📜 Key KEBS Standards for Bottled Water
1. Product Standards
KS EAS 153: Specifies requirements for packaged drinking water, including physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters.
KS EAS 13: Outlines standards for natural mineral water.
KS 05-459: Provides guidelines on drinking water specifications and hygienic practices.Indian Trade Portal
2. Hygiene and Facility Requirements
Licenses and Certifications:
Public Health Hygiene License.
Medical certificates for all staff.
County Business License.
Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) permit for borehole water usage.World Bank+4Kenya Bureau of Standards+4refinareastafrica.com+4World Bank+4refinareastafrica.com+4Kenya Bureau of Standards+4
Facility Standards:
Installation of stainless steel tables or suitable alternatives in production areas.
Provision of insectocuters and first aid kits.
Availability of hand-washing facilities with flowing water, soap, and drying means.
Implementation of footbaths at the entrance of production areas.
Ensuring walls and floors are waterproof and tiled.
Securing storage tanks for both raw and processed water, with access limited to authorized personnel.Kenya Bureau of Standards+2Kenya Bureau of Standards+2refinareastafrica.com+2refinareastafrica.com+2Kenya Bureau of Standards+2Kenya Bureau of Standards+2Kenya Bureau of Standards+2refinareastafrica.com+2Kenya Bureau of Standards+2
3. Operational and Quality Control Measures
Personnel:
Engagement of competent personnel with relevant qualifications in fields such as Chemistry, Biology, Food Technology, or Water Technology.Kenya Bureau of Standards+1refinareastafrica.com+1
Quality Assurance:
Maintenance of quality-monitoring records in line with the signed Scheme of Supervision and Control.
Regular testing and monitoring of water quality, either through an accredited external laboratory or the company’s own laboratory.
Establishment of a mechanism for handling customer complaints effectively.
Provision of evidence for plant cleaning and maintenance schedules.Kenyans.co.ke+3Kenya Bureau of Standards+3refinareastafrica.com+3Kenya Bureau of Standards+2refinareastafrica.com+2Kenya Bureau of Standards+2
🧪 Water Quality Parameters
KEBS standards stipulate specific limits for various water quality parameters to ensure safety and palatability:Siwi+2polucon.com+2LinkedIn+2
Microbiological:
Total Coliforms: 0 CFU/100 mL.
Escherichia coli (E. coli): 0 CFU/100 mL.polucon.com
Physical and Chemical:
pH: 6.5–8.5.
Turbidity: ≤5 NTU.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): ≤1,500 mg/L.
Hardness (as CaCO₃): ≤500 mg/L.
Chloride: ≤250 mg/L.
Fluoride: ≤1.5 mg/L.
Nitrate: ≤50 mg/L.
Heavy Metals (e.g., Lead, Mercury, Arsenic): within specified safe limits.polucon.comResearchGate+1polucon.com+1Siwi
🏷️ Labelling Requirements
Bottled water labels must include:
Product name and type (e.g., “Natural Mineral Water” or “Purified Drinking Water”).
Net volume.
Batch number.
Manufacturing and expiry dates.
Name and address of the manufacturer.
KEBS Standardization Mark (SM) number.
Storage instructions.Punto FocalWorld Bank+1Kenyans.co.ke+1
✅ KEBS Certification Process
To obtain the KEBS Standardization Mark (SM) for bottled water:
Application: Submit an application to KEBS with the required documentation, including test results from an accredited laboratory.
Inspection: KEBS conducts an inspection of the production facility to ensure compliance with standards.
Testing: Product samples are tested for conformity to the specified standards.
Certification: Upon successful inspection and testing, KEBS issues the Standardization Mark, allowing the product to be sold in the Kenyan market.World Bank
For detailed information and access to the specific standards, you can visit the KEBS Standards Information Centre.Kenya Bureau of Standards+1Punto Focal+1