Over 100,000 pairs of baby jeans made in Kenya were recalled by the US due to safety concerns, and Kenya would be required to refund more than Ksh375 million ($2.6 million).
As a result, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) is attempting to distance itself from the recalled jeans by asserting that it is not to blame for the snafu.
The baby pants, which were produced in various Kenyan Export Processing Zones (EPZ) and sold in American retail stores, were recalled due to design flaws.
On Thursday, Kebs declared that it was not responsible for the situation and that its only responsibility was to certify items for consumption within Kenya and within the East African Community (EAC).
“Products intended for export are exempt from certification requirements. Since the items are intended to meet export nation requirements rather than Kenyan norms, there is no policy requiring Kebs to verify exports, according to Kebs.
According to the agency, materials imported by EPZ are excluded from inspection under Legal Notice No. 78 of 2020 because the same goods are not intended for local markets.
Investigations into how the defective shipment escaped the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which serves as the US equivalent of Kebs, have already started.
“We are gathering information about the matter, but we believe there has been foul play. As soon as we receive information from the consignment originator, we want to provide more information, according to Vice Chairman Thomas Puthoor of the Kenya Export Manufacturers Association (Kema).
The US’s recall of more than 100,000 pairs of Kenyan-made jeans due to safety concerns could erode consumer trust in a country that is actively trying to grow its economy and ties with the US.
Because they were subpar and had choking hazards, the CPSC recalled the baby clothes made in Kenya and sold at retail establishments.
The Children’s Place, the largest children’s specialty clothes retailer in North America, is anticipated to offer refunds to customers once the commission issues the order on August 10, 2023.
Nearly 1,000 Children’s Place locations can be found in both the United States and Canada.
Typically, the costs incurred by defective items are borne by the producer.
The CPSC claims that the baby pants include metal snaps that could come off and could suffocate infants and toddlers, with one incidence being documented in the US.
The commission issued a recall for two types of jeans, of which 97,400 were sold in the US and 1,800 were sold in Canada. Since September of last year, the jeans have been on sale for $25 (Ksh3,603 an item).
“Consumers should remove the recalled jeans from children right soon and then return them to any The Children’s Place location for a full refund. All known purchasers are being notified by The Children’s Place, according to the commission’s statement.
The Baby and Toddler Boy Basic Stretch Straight Leg Jeans in sizes 6-9 months to 5T that have the style number 3022341 in the Dustbowl Wash from vendor number 7000541 and were sold from September 2022 through March 2023 as well as 3022342 in the Telford Wash from the vendor number 7000541 that were available in stores from January to June this year are the styles that are affected.
According to the alert from Health Canada, the Canadian government agency in charge of national health policy, the impacted products can only be found by looking for style number 3022341 and vendor number 7000541.
“Products with a different vendor number are not covered by this recall,” the FDA stated.
“The company has not received any complaints of mishaps or injuries in Canada as of August 9, 2023. According to the Canadian government’s recall notification, the manufacturer in the United States has only received one case of a detaching snap and no reports of injuries.
Clothing for children frequently has compliance issues. Children’s flammable pajamas were recalled by the CPSC in June and February, and Amazon robes were also discovered to put kids in danger of burn injury.
