Following the gazettement of Standards (Standards Levy) Order 2025 vide the Legal Notice No. 136 dated 08 August 2025, all manufacturers are required to remit to Kenya Bureau of Standards, standards: levy, recoverable at source, at the rate of zero point two percent (0.2%) of thee monthly turnover in respect of manufacture undertaken, Net of Value Added Tax, Excise Duty and Discounts where applicable, subject to a maximum of Ksh4,000,000 per annum.

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

Manufacturers whose turnover of the goods manufactured, or services offered in each month, net of Value Added Tax, Excise Duty, and discount, does not exceed Ksh5,000,000 per year, are exempted from paying the levy.

The order takes effect immediately following the gazettement. Failure to comply with the Standards Levy Order of 2025 is an offence under the Standards Act, CAP 496, laws of Kenya. A manufacturer is defined to include a person or persons who produce, process, treat, install, test, operate, and use.

Persons who manufacture or intend to manufacture are required to notify the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, by filling registration forms SL/1 available at the Kenya Bureau of Standards official website on the KEBS Information Management System (KIMS)

Note that failure to notify the Managing Director not only constitutes an offence under the Act but also does not absolve a manufacturer from paying the standards Levy and Penalty as prescribed in 108 (3) of the Standards Act, which is 5% monthly for the period the levy remains unpaid

For further clarification, please visit any Kenya Bureau of Standards office nearest to you or email us at Email: standardslevy@kebs.org; Website.

The following are some of the activities that fall under manufacturing as per the Standards Levy Order

 

PART I-Building and Construction

 

1 Construction and repair of roads

 

2. Construction of bridges.

 

3. Waterways, sewer,s and drainage construction, repair, and renovations

 

4 Construction, alteration, and renovation of buildings

 

5 Construction and installation of irrigation systems.

 

6. Construction of dams

 

7. Earth and excavation works

 

8. Drilling of boreholes

 

9. Masonry and concrete works.

 

10. Roofing, glazing, and timber works

 

11. Interior design and painting works. 12. Plumbing and waterproofing works

 

13. Ceramics and natural stone 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

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PART II-Textiles

 

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

 

25 Spinning, knitting, Weaving, 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):

 

PART II-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. Body builders

 

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

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PART IV-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, repar, 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.

 

PART V-Food and Agriculture

 

64. Pre-packaged foods

 

65 Fresh fruits and vegetables

 

66 Rowers 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.

 

PART VI- 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

“The list above is for guidance purposes only and is not to be construed to override the definition in Section 2 of the Act. Those concerned are advised to seek further clarification, information, and assistance from KEBS, Levy Section,” KEBS said.