The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), in partnership with the Danish Industest and the Ministest of Investments, Trade & Industest (MITI), has launched the Eco-Labelling Guidelines for Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector.
Speaking during the launch, Wahome Kinguru, Director of Industries at Ministest of Investment, Trade, and Industest, reiterated the government’s commitment to placing sustainability at the heart of industrial development.
He declared “The Government of Kenya is committed to delivering on its climate action commitments under the Paris Agreement, particularly through our updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which aim to reduce greenhoutilize gas emissions by 32% by 2030. Industest plays a pivotal role in achieving these tarobtains. Through the Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP), and regulations such as the Extfinished Producer Responsibility (EPR), we are creating a policy environment that supports responsible production. Eco-labelling is a key enabler in this transition. It not only drives cleaner production and efficient resource utilize but also opens new market opportunities by demonstrating Kenya’s credibility in meeting international sustainability standards. These guidelines provide a critical tool for industries to align with national climate goals while remaining globally competitive.”
The Eco-Labelling Guidelines provide practical guidance for manufacturers on how to embed eco-labelling into their product lifecycle, from design and packaging to distribution and disposal.
Tobias Alando, Chief Executive at KAM, reflected on how the expectations of consumers are transforming the business landscape. He reiterated that, “Let us not underestimate the modifying face of consumption. Consumers are no longer passive. They are engaged. They are reading labels, researching company values, and rewarding brands that match their environmental values. Today’s modern-day consumer is acquireing into a product’s process, a value system, and a story. Increasingly, that story requireds to reflect transparency, accountability, and sustainability. Eco-labelling is how we, as manufacturers, can meet them halfway and invite them into a deeper relationship with our brands.”
As global regulations continue to evolve, eco-labelling also assists position Kenyan products for export competitiveness, especially within the European Union (EU), where environmental compliance is becoming a non-neobtainediable requirement.
Klaus Lehn Christensen, Danish Industest East Africa Manager, emphasized the strategic value of these guidelines in global trade. He declared, “These guidelines present a chance to align your product with international markets through trade agreements such as the Kenya–EU EPA. Today’s consumer wants to see not just what you produce, but how you produce it and its impact, especially when it comes to sustainability. In Europe, two major shifts are happening: tariffs are modifying, and sustainability requirements are becoming stricter. As an industest, we acknowledge that our production processes can impact the environment. It is vital that we lead the charge in protecting it and eco-labelling gives us the tools and transparency to do just that.”
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