KMS, the Kuwait Metrology and Standards

What is the KMS ?

The KMS, the Kuwait Metrology and Standards, represents Kuwait’s national body responsible for developing, publishing and applying technical and measurement standards. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Standardization and Metrology within the Public Authority for Industry (PAI), the public authority dedicated to the industry.

The main objective of the KMS is to ensure the quality, safety and compliance of products and services in the Kuwaiti market while facilitating international trade. It does this by establishing standards, whether voluntary or mandatory, in line with international (ISO, CE, etc.) or regional (GCC, etc.) standards.

In addition to issuing certificates of conformity and quality marks to products or services complying with KMS standards, it supports legal and industrial metrology. The latter includes the verification and calibration of measuring instruments in various sectors such as health, safety and the environment.

The KMS plays a key role on the international scene by being an active member or correspondent of several standardization and metrology entities, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Organization for Legal Metrology (OIML), the Gulf Cooperation Council Standards and Metrology Organization (GSO) and the Arab Organization for Industrial Development and Mines (AIDMO). It represents Kuwait in international conferences and meetings related to these areas and maintains cooperative relations with similar organizations around the world.

Why did you create the KMS ?

The KMS was founded in 1984 following Decree No. 78 of the Emir of Kuwait, which established the Public Authority for Industry (PAI). The latter was tasked with developing and implementing standards and measures in Kuwait. As a result, the KMS is positioned as one of the oldest entities dedicated to standardization and metrology in the Gulf region.

The establishment of the KMS aimed to achieve several key strategic objectives for Kuwait, namely :

• Ensure the protection of consumers and users against products and services of poor quality, dangerous or not meeting the required specifications.
• Stimulate the industrial and economic development of the country by promoting innovation, competitiveness and diversification of productive sectors.
• Facilitate trade both domestically and internationally by aligning standards and measures with the requirements of covered markets and trade agreements.
• Participate in the achievement of the sustainable development goals, including the principles of environmental protection, occupational safety and social responsibility in standards and measures.

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The KMS guarantees the quality, safety and conformity of products and services in the Kuwaiti market. It also helps to strengthen Kuwait’s position as a reliable and attractive trading partner.

What are the existing KMS standards and are they mandatory ?

The KMS develops and makes available technical standards covering a wide range of fields, including food, electrical, chemical, construction, petroleum, textiles, cosmetics, among others. These standards are based on international, regional or specific market requirements in Kuwait. An online catalogue of the KMS provides access to all these standards.

Mandatory standards

Certain standards established by the KMS are mandatory, requiring compliance by manufacturers, importers, distributors and users of the products or services concerned. These standards, imposed by ministerial orders or IAP decisions, are intended to ensure the protection of health, safety and the environment. Products or services subject to these standards must be certified compliant by the KMS or an accredited entity and display the Kuwait Quality Mark (KQ Mark), as a guarantee of their compliance.

Any product or service that does not meet these standards is prohibited for sale or use in Kuwait and may be confiscated or destroyed by the authorities.

Voluntary standards

In addition to mandatory standards, the KMS also proposes voluntary standards. These, although not required by law, can be adopted by companies wishing to improve the quality, performance or competitiveness of their offers. These standards are developed in cooperation with stakeholders in the relevant sectors and reflect best practices and market needs.

In addition to mandatory standards, the KMS also proposes voluntary standards. These, although not required by law, can be adopted by companies wishing to improve the quality, performance or competitiveness of their offers. These standards are developed in cooperation with stakeholders in the relevant sectors and reflect best practices and market needs.

Which products need to be certified by a KMS standard ?

The products to be certified by a KMS standard are those subject to mandatory standards to ensure the safety, health, or respect for the environment of consumers and users. They must meet the technical requirements and pass the tests defined by the KMS, to then obtain a certificate of conformity and the quality mark of Kuwait before marketing.

The KMS makes available on its website a list of products covered by these mandatory standards, including :

Food products

These products, whether from agriculture or livestock, must comply with KMS standards for quality, safety, hygiene, labelling and traceability, based on Codex Alimentarius international standards or GSO regional standards. They must also comply with the religious requirements of Islamic law (halal).

The KMS awards certificates of conformity and halal quality marks to food products that meet these criteria.

Electric products

Whether for domestic or industrial use, electrical products must comply with KMS standards for safety, performance, energy efficiency and electromagnetic compatibility, based on IEC international standards or GSO regional standards. They must also be adapted to the specifications of the Kuwait power grid (240 V, 50 Hz).

Certificates of conformity and electrical quality marks are issued by the KMS to electrical products that meet these standards.

Chemical products

Used as raw materials, intermediate or finished products, chemicals must comply with KMS standards for quality, safety, environment, labelling, transport and storage. These standards are based on ISO international standards or GSO regional standards. They must also meet the requirements of Kuwait’s Chemical Substances Regulation (K-REACH), which aims to protect human health and the environment from the risks of chemical substances.

The KMS awards certificates of conformity and chemical quality marks to chemicals meeting these standards.

Which KMS certification program to choose ? Are there several ?

Various KMS certification programs are available, adapted according to the product or service, the target market and the level of quality sought. The options are :

Certification program for compliance with mandatory standards

This program targets products or services that must meet the mandatory KMS standards. It allows to acquire a certificate of conformity and the quality mark of Kuwait (KQ Mark), proving compliance with KMS standards. This program is essential for sale or use in the Kuwaiti market, as well as for export to countries that recognize this certification.

It is administered by KMS or KMS accredited entities, which perform audits, inspections, tests and controls on products or services.

Voluntary Standards Compliance Certification Program

This programme is aimed at products or services not subject to the mandatory KMS standards, offering voluntary certification to improve quality, performance or competitiveness. It also offers a certificate of conformity and the KQ Mark mark, confirming compliance with KMS voluntary standards. Although optional, this program can be a competitive advantage in the market or meet the requirements of customers or partners.

This programme is also managed by the KMS or accredited bodies responsible for carrying out audits, inspections, tests and controls.

The quality management system certification program

Intended for companies wishing to adopt a quality management system (QMS) compliant with ISO 9001 standard, this program certifies that the company meets the quality requirements of products, services and processes according to ISO 9001. Although voluntary, it is a way to increase the efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall performance of the company.

It is administered by the KMS or by accredited bodies, responsible for conducting audits, evaluations and reviews on the company’s QMS.

What are the essential criteria for obtaining one of the KMS standards ?

To obtain a KMS standard, it is imperative to meet the criteria defined by the KMS for each standard. These criteria include technical requirements, test methods, control procedures and necessary documentation. They vary depending on the type of product or service, the certification program selected and the quality level targeted.

Below are some key criteria for achieving a KMS standard :

Criteria for certification of compliance with mandatory standards

• The product or service must meet the specifications of the mandatory KMS standard, available on the KMS website or upon request from the KMS or certification entity.
• It must pass tests in a laboratory accredited by or recognized by the KMS, in order to verify its compliance with the technical requirements of the mandatory KMS standard.
• An inspection by the KMS or an entity accredited by the KMS is required to confirm compliance with the criteria for marking, labelling, traceability, security, etc., of the mandatory KMS standard.
• A certificate of conformity and the Kuwait Quality Mark (KQ Mark) must accompany the product or service, proving its compliance with the mandatory KMS standard.

Criteria for certification of compliance with voluntary standards

• The product or service must comply with the specifications of the KMS voluntary standard, available on the KMS website or on request.
• Tests in a laboratory accredited by the KMS or recognized by the KMS are necessary to validate compliance with the technical requirements of the voluntary standard KMS.
• An inspection by the KMS or by an entity accredited by the KMS is required to ensure compliance with the criteria for marking, labelling, traceability, performance, etc., of the KMS voluntary standard.
• The product or service must be certified compliant and bear the Kuwait Quality Mark (KQ Mark), thus attesting its compliance with the voluntary KMS standard.

Criteria for quality management system certification

• The company must implement a quality management system (QMS) that meets the requirements of ISO 9001, available on the ISO website or upon request.
• Internal and external audits are required to confirm QMS compliance with ISO 9001 requirements, as well as its efficiency and continuous improvement.
• An evaluation by the KMS or by an entity accredited by the KMS is necessary to verify the compliance of the QMS with the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard and its ability to offer quality products or services.
• A certificate of conformity and the ISO 9001 quality mark must be issued, proving the conformity of the QMS to the ISO 9001 standard.