First DKD calibration laboratory in Africa

After many years of cooperation between the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), which was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the first African laboratory could be accredited within the scope of the Deutscher Kalibrierdienst (DKD, German Calibration Service) in January, 1998. Accreditation of another laboratory is underway. The required surveillance by the PTB as the DKD accreditation body consolidates the technical contacts with the former partner in a Technical Cooperation Project. For the KEBS which is, among other things, responsible for the tasks of a national metrology institute, the accreditations represent an important step towards international acceptance of its metrological services.

The accreditation certificate was handed over by a representative of the PTB on the occasion of the 10th General Assembly of the African Regional Organization for Standardization, ARSO, in Nairobi during a reception held by the KEBS. The Kenyan Minister for Industrial Development, Dr. Masakhalia, took receipt of the certificate in the presence of the participants in the ARSO conference and Kenyan representatives from trade, industry and government. In their addresses the secretary-general and the president of the ARSO, the director of KEBS and the minister paid tribute to the event which they classified as trend-setting, as a great success for the further development of metrology in Africa and as strengthening Kenya's competitiveness. Germany was praised for its exemplary commitment for the KEBS, which is greatly appreciated.