The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has implemented new regulations governing the use, production, and importation of ethanol in response to an directive from President William Ruto, with the goal of curbing alcohol abuse in the nation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, March 26, KEBS announced that all ethanol manufactured or brought into the country must undergo denaturation.
Denaturation involves the addition of specific chemicals to ethanol to render it unpalatable and thus unsuitable for consumption. These denaturants are incorporated into products to prevent accidental ingestion, particularly by children.
Denatonium benzoate is used to make ethanol smell so bad that crooks do not use the substance in the manufacture of illicit brews as people would find it difficult to drink.
The country’s standardization body said on Tuesday that manufacturers of ethanol must submit evidence of the denaturation before Ethanol destined for industrial use is released from their stores.
“Following the Government directive issued on 6th March 2024 on eradication of illicit brews, drug. and substance abuse, all locally produced Ethanol and Ethanol imported into Kenya designated for industrial use shall be required to be denatured using ‘Denatonium benzoate’ as a denaturant to prevent misuse,” the statement read in part.
Therefore, the bureau has directed producers of Ethanol to show proof of denaturing before it is cleared for release at the ports or use in the production of alcohol.
KEBS explained that the move will prevent the misuse of the chemical in many ways including the diversion of ethanol intended for industrial use.
“Evidence of denaturation shall be required before the Ethanol designated for industrial use is cleared for release from the manufacturers’ premises, for locally produced Ethanol, or at the Ports of entry for imported Ethanol.
“Such misuse include, but not limited to diverting Ethanol designated for industrial use, which is not fit for human consumption, as a raw material in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages,” added the statement.
Following a directive from Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, KEBS has been instructed to implement the denaturation of ethanol within 45 days.
The CS mandated that ethanol must be labeLled with denatonium benzoate to deter its diversion or inadvertent use in alcohol production.
“KEBS is tasked with ensuring that all industrial ethanol undergoes denaturation or is labelled with denatonium benzoate within 45 days to prevent the misuse or unintended utilization of industrial ethanol in alcohol manufacturing,” Kindiki stated.
On March 6, President William Ruto declared new government action aimed at completely eliminating illicit drugs and substance abuse in the country.
