The Diamond Mark of Quality (D-Mark) is a voluntary, premium product certification scheme operated by KEBS. It is awarded to manufacturers — both local and foreign — who demonstrate a high degree of excellence in production quality and hold a qualifying quality management system (QMS). The D-Mark is valid for four years and holders automatically qualify for the S-Mark without additional payment.
D-Mark certification is widely sought by manufacturers seeking enhanced market access within the East African Community, where EAC member states mutually recognise marks issued by their respective national standards bodies.
Diamond Mark Licence Fee Summary Table
| Applicant Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kenyan (local) manufacturer | KES 255,200 (VAT inclusive) | Per product/brand for the full 4-year period |
| Foreign manufacturer | USD 4,000 per product/brand per year (USD 16,000 for 4 years) | Plus assessors’ travel, accommodation (government SRC rates), and return airfare |
Fees are published by KEBS on the Quality Assurance FAQ page. Note: fees exclude assessors’ subsistence and travel costs for foreign applicants.
Key Requirements
Applicants complete KEBS forms STA/1 and STA/3 and pay the applicable fee. Assessment by KEBS’s Permit Approval Committee (PAC) covers product compliance with the relevant Kenya Standard, QMS documentation, and production consistency. The assessment process typically takes around nine months from application for manufacturers with a good state of readiness.
