The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), through its Mass Laboratory, is developing a strengthened capability in moisture measurement and characterisation of moisture-measuring instruments, with an initial focus on grain and green coffee and potential application to other food and agricultural commodities. The initiative aims to support reliable and traceable moisture measurements for applications including quality assessment, storage, processing, trade and conformity assessment.
Regional Initiative
KEBS is also leading an initiative to strengthen East African capability in grain and food-related moisture measurement. This initiative builds on previous regional and international technical cooperation in moisture measurement. In 2023, PTB supported training on measurement uncertainty for grain moisture determination for participants from East Africa. The development of a broader regional approach was subsequently discussed during the 2024 AFRIMETS GA in Nairobi, where KEBS was tasked to pilot and drive the process. KEBS is building on this foundation through continued engagement with national metrology institutes, technical organisations, research institutions and stakeholders in the grain and coffee sectors.
The regional initiative seeks to promote cooperation among national metrology institutes, laboratories, research institutions and industry stakeholders in areas including reference moisture measurement, moisture-meter characterisation and calibration, measurement uncertainty, reference-sample development, interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs), progressive development of proficiency testing (PT) capability, technical training and knowledge exchange, and collaborative research and development.
Current Development Areas
KEBS is strengthening its existing moisture metrology capability through a phased programme covering:
The long-term objective is to strengthen the KEBS Mass Laboratory as a national reference laboratory for moisture metrology, while contributing to the development of a connected East African technical network for reliable and traceable moisture measurements. The initiative is being implemented progressively through existing KEBS resources, targeted capability development, technical cooperation and opportunities for internal and external resource mobilisation.
For further information or opportunities for technical collaboration, please contact the KEBS Metrology Department– Mass Laboratory (Email: massmetrology@kebs.go.ke; info.metrology@kebs.go.ke; Tel: +254(0)206948000).
This page describes an ongoing capability-development initiative and does not by itself constitute an accreditation claim or confirmation of specific PT services. Specific services and activities will be developed subject to technical, quality and applicable accreditation requirements.