Kenya Selected to Pilot Development of Global Standards for Menstrual Products

By Njeri Irungu

Kenya has been selected as a pilot country to assess stakeholder needs across the menstrual products value chain, marking a significant step in the development of the world's first International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for menstrual products.
The initiative, being spearheaded through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), seeks to establish globally recognized quality benchmarks for menstrual products, reinforcing the principle that access to safe and quality sanitary pads is a matter of health, safety, and dignity rather than a luxury.

As part of the process, an implementing team comprising representatives from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Swedish Institute for Standards (SIS), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and KEBS conducted a technical tour of the KEBS Textile, Microbiology, Organic, and Inorganic laboratories.

The visit was aimed at assessing the laboratories' readiness to implement the new ISO standards once they are finalized, published, and adopted by Kenya. It also sought to identify opportunities for collaboration that will support the effective rollout and enforcement of the standards.

The development of international standards for menstrual products is expected to improve product quality, strengthen consumer protection, and enhance confidence in  menstrual health products by ensuring they meet consistent safety and performance requirements.

Kenya's selection as a pilot country underscores the country's growing role in shaping international quality standards while advancing efforts to improve menstrual health management and ensure that women and girls have access to safe, reliable, and high-quality menstrual products.

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