Govt denies banning importation of used motor vehicle spare parts

– Kenya Bureau of Standards said it did not issue a notice banning importation of second hand vehicle spare parts

– The standards body said it only directed all imported used spare parts must go through inspection

– Scrutiny is done by a competent authority and in compliance with the KS 2190: 2013, Kenya Standard

– The KS 2190:2013, Kenya Standard specifies the requirements of motor vehicles used spare parts

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has dismissed reports by a section of the media that the government had banned importation of all used motor vehicles spare parts.

The quality watchdog clarified it only directed second hand spare parts being imported into the country must go through inspection and that no parts shall be offered for sale without inspection by a competent authority.

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KEBS Acting Managing Director Bernard Nguyo said the Standard had not issued a notice to ban all imported car spare parts as was claimed. Photo: Nation.
Source: UGC

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In a statement sent to newsrooms on Wednesday, May 22, KEBS explained contrary to the impression that was being created by the media, it had not issued a notice to ban all imported car spare parts.

“There exists a KS 2190:2013, Kenya Standard on motor vehicle used spare parts – code of practice. The Standard specifies acceptance criteria for acceptance of used motor vehicles spare parts.

It also provides for prohibition of used motor vehicle parts that shall not be imported in loose form – meaning not properly packaged. This is in consideration of the impact of use of such parts on the overall safety of the vehicle,” said KEBS Acting Managing Director Bernard Nguyo.

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The said parts include tyres, tubes, ball joints, tie rod-ends, rack-ends, brake hose pipes, brake pipes, brake and clutch cables, bearings, rubber bushes, oil seals, spark plugs, filters, air cleaner elements, clutch plates, pressure plates release bearings and brake pads.

Nguyo noted the KS 2190:2013, Kenya Standard was formulated by the Road Vehicles Technical Committee under the guidance of the Standards Projects Committee and it is in accordance with the procedures of the KEBS.

“A national standard is established by consensus. The process of development of Kenya Standards involves a technical committee that comprises of different stakeholders in the respective sector. Kenya Bureau of Standards is the secretariat of the respective technical committees,” the acting MD explained.

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He added consensus was built in the technical committees leading to a draft standard which was then widely circulated for public comments for a period of 60 days.

The comments received after the 60 days period were reviewed again by the committee to come up with a final draft that was approved by the National Standards Council.

“The standard (KS 2190:2013, Kenya Standard) specifies the requirements of motor vehicles used spare parts and applies to all categories of motor vehicles used spare parts other than those for agricultural implements/tractors, earth moving tractors, forestry tractors and other related agricultural machinery.

The standard states that no motor vehicle used spare part shall be offered for sale without inspection by a competent authority,” said Nguyo.

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The Standard was developed in 2013 and was taken through all the procedural steps outlined above, involving all concerned stakeholders including the car dealers and consumer representatives and has been implemented since 2014, according to the acting MD.

“This is not a new policy, neither a Standard being introduced now, nor does it form part of the National Automotive Policy,” he said.

The stakeholders who were involved in the development of the Standard include Association of Kenya Insurers, Automobile Association of Kenya, Automotive Engineering Association (AEAA), CMC Motors Group, General Motors (East Africa) Ltd, Kenya Auto Bazaar Association (K.A.B.A) and Kenya Auto Repairers Association (K.A.R.A).

Others were Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute, Kenya Used Motor Parts Importers Association (KUMPIA), Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers, Matatu Owners Association of Kenya (M.O.A.K), Ministry of Roads – Mechanical and Transport Department, Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit, Mutsimoto Motor Co. Ltd and Kenya Bureau of Standards- Secretariat.

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Kenyan motor dealers had days earlier staged angry protests following reports that the government had imposed ban on importation of used motor vehicles spare parts.

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Source: Tuko.co.ke