This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
On August 7, 2017, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) banned single-use plastic carrier bags in Kenya. In response, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has developed a new standard to guide the manufacturing of non-woven polypropylene bags.
The KNWA 2884:2019 Standard, approved by the National Standards Council (NSC) in July 2019, provides guidelines for producing polypropylene bags with a minimum grammage of 50 gsm. The bags must also be legibly and indelibly marked with information including the manufacturer's name, address, and/or registered trade, dimensions of the bag, declaration of country of manufacture and origin, standardization mark, and instructions for storage and disposal.
KEBS Managing Director, Lt. Col. (Rtd) Bernard Njiraini, said that non-woven polypropylene bags were identified as an alternative to single-use plastic polythene carrier bags due to their reusability and durability. He added that the reusable bags will help to curb littering by plastics.
The approval of the KNWA 2884:2019 Standard is part of KEBS's efforts to ensure sustainable environmental conservation and a safer, healthier population. The standard is expected to support the big four agenda, which includes initiatives such as the Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road vehicles and the Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Cotton Industry.
