Updated 1 November 2026
To verify KEBS S-Mark certification on any product made in Kenya, send an SMS in the format SM#PERMIT NUMBER to 20023, search the permit on the KEBS website, use the KEBS mobile app from the Google Play Store or App Store, or call the KEBS toll-free line 1545. A genuine Standardization Mark permit is issued per manufacturing site, product and brand, lasts two years and cannot be transferred. Here is how each method works, what to look for on the label, and what to do if the permit is fake or expired.
Updated 1 November 2026 from the KEBS Quality Assurance FAQs.
4 ways to verify a KEBS S-Mark
| Method | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SMS | Send SM#PERMITNUMBER to 20023 | Quick check in a shop, any phone |
| KEBS app | Install the KEBS app from Google Play or the App Store and search the permit | Frequent buyers, retailers |
| Website | Use the “Verify Products with S-Mark” search on kebs.org / qualityassurance.kebs.go.ke | Procurement and bulk buyers |
| Phone | Call toll-free 1545 | If unsure or reporting a fake |
Source: KEBS Quality Assurance FAQs, checked 1 November 2026. Standard SMS charges may apply depending on your network.
The same site also has “Verify Products with D-Mark” and “Verify Products with F-Mark” searches for the Diamond Mark and the fortification logo.
Where to find the permit number
When KEBS certifies a product, the maker must print the S-Mark logo and the unique permit number on the label. Look near the S-Mark logo, often beside the batch and expiry details. No number, a smudged number or a logo without a number are red flags.
What the result should match
- Manufacturer name on the result matches the name on the pack.
- Product and brand match. Permits are issued per product and brand, so a permit for maize flour cannot cover the same firm’s wheat flour.
- Site: permits are per manufacturing site and not transferable to other sites, branches or firms.
- Validity: an S-Mark permit is valid for two years. Check it has not expired.
Why verification matters
The S-Mark is mandatory for locally made products covered by a Kenya Standard. Unverified water, cooking oil, flour, cosmetics and building materials can be unsafe or underweight. KEBS regularly seizes uncertified goods; see our report on KEBS action against uncertified miraa drinks. For retailers and schools buying in bulk, checking permits before ordering avoids stock being seized.
Imported products are different
The S-Mark is for goods made in Kenya. Imported goods are checked through the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme and carry an import standardization mark or certificate of conformity. Car buyers will know KEBS from the eight-year rule for car imports.
If the permit is fake, expired or wrong
- Do not buy, or stop using, the product.
- Take photos of the label, permit number, batch and shop.
- Call KEBS on 1545 or email info.qa@kebs.go.ke with the details.
- Keep your receipt in case KEBS investigates.
For manufacturers: getting the S-Mark
If you make products and want the mark, the permit costs KSh 10,000 to KSh 40,000 in inspection fees by firm size, plus permit fees for large firms, and lasts two years. See our KEBS certification cost guide and the water bottling guide for a worked example.
Verify KEBS S-Mark before buying in bulk
Schools, hotels, offices and county institutions that buy water, flour, cooking oil, detergents or building materials in bulk should make S-Mark checks part of procurement. Ask suppliers for their permit numbers in the quotation, verify each one before signing the order, and file the result with the tender documents. A supplier whose permit is expired or covers a different product should be asked to correct it before delivery.
Retailers can do the same when listing new brands: verify KEBS S-Mark numbers when the product is first listed, and again when the two-year validity is due to end. If KEBS seizes uncertified goods from your shelves, you lose the stock and may face charges, so a 30-second SMS check is cheap protection.
Quick checklist
- Permit number printed beside the S-Mark logo
- SMS result matches maker, product and brand
- Permit still within its two-year validity
- Report any mismatch to KEBS on 1545
What an S-Mark does not tell you
A valid permit shows that KEBS inspected the factory and tested samples against the standard, and that surveillance continues. It does not guarantee every single batch, and it does not cover storage after the product leaves the factory. Still check expiry dates, seals and storage conditions in the shop, especially for water, milk and cooking oil kept in direct sun.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a KEBS S-Mark by SMS?
Send SM#PERMIT NUMBER to 20023, replacing PERMIT NUMBER with the number printed on the product.
How long is a KEBS S-Mark valid?
Two years from the date of issue, and it is renewable.
Can one S-Mark permit cover several products?
Permits are issued per manufacturing site, product and brand, and are not transferable to other sites or firms.
What is the KEBS toll-free number?
1545.
Prefer WhatsApp? Follow Business Radar on WhatsApp
Weekly, free. We only use your email for this newsletter and you can unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy.
