ISO-certified personal protective clothing launched in Kenya

By Peter Ochieng

Africa's first ISO-certified personal protective clothing has been launched in Kenya, a timely boost in the arm for safe crop handling practices in the country.

According to a press release shared by Science Africa, the new protective garment is a collaboration between the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), the International Center for Personal Protective Equipment (ICPPE) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, BASF, and Syngenta.

Over 100 farmers throughout Kenya participated in a wear study, and gave feedback on comfort, durability, color, and other design preferences.

Fredrick Muchiri, CEO of the Pest Control Products Board said they will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders in training pest control service providers on safety measures, when handling and using pest control products in our country.

“Handling and using pesticides should be done with adherence to safety measures, among them effective use of PPE. As a board entrusted with regulating pest control products in the country, we remain committed to ensuring the PPEs used in our country meet the right standards, are affordable, and are available in our markets."

On his part, Ambrose Kirobi, a farmer representative said farmers who use PPEs correctly always deliver better output.

"PPE is vital to sustainable farmer productivity. Farmers who use PPE correctly are motivated to carry out farming activities, they deliver better output. Creating more awareness on the correct PPE to use remains a fundamental goal for all agricultural stakeholders," he stated.

Anugrah Shaw, coordinator of the ICPPE Initiative said the ISO-certified personal protective clothing is made of breathable, reusable textile materials, making it comfortable.

"One of the challenges with users not wearing appropriate protective clothing is due to heat stress and comfort. This is an even bigger issue in tropical climates. Our approach with the new ISO-certified garment is to balance protection and comfort."

The new personal protective clothing is certified under KS ISO 27065 C1, which defines performance requirements for minimum protective clothing worn by operators applying crop protection solutions and for re-entry workers.

A certified ISO laboratory tested the fabric and garments, which perform similarly to garments worn in most operator exposure studies.

“By investing in personal protective clothing, we are not only protecting the health and safety of our farmers and the communities in which we operate. We are committed to ensuring a sustainable and responsible future for the world around us," said Gift Mbaya, Country Cluster Head and Head of Agriculture Solutions, BASF East Africa Ltd.

“At Syngenta, we are committed to the safety of farmers and farm workers. We undertake extensive stewardship initiatives and are proud to be associated with the launch of the first Kenyan-made certified personal protective clothing. Every farmer deserves access to quality protective gear, enabling them to work sustainably," added Given Mudenda, Business Area Head in East and Southern Africa.

The launch of the ISO 27065-certified personal protective garment in Kenya represents a significant milestone in promoting safe agricultural practices, fostering a culture of safety among farmers, and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.