The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced that starting Saturday, March 14, 2026, importers of specified products will be required to obtain an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Import Certificate through the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWIS). The move aims to simplify import procedures while promoting compliance with Kenya’s waste management laws.
In a public notice on March 13, NEMA explained that the certificate is intended to “streamline import processes, enhance regulatory coordination, and improve the ease of doing business by enabling importers to apply for and obtain the required EPR Import Certificate through a single electronic platform integrated with other border regulatory agencies.”
The EPR Import Certificate has been integrated into NESWIS, a platform managed by the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), allowing importers to apply electronically without visiting multiple regulatory offices.
This step is part of the implementation of the Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations, 2024, gazetted on November 4, 2024. NEMA said the regulations ensure that products and packaging are managed responsibly throughout their life cycle.
“The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, gazetted the Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations, 2024 on 4th November 2024,” NEMA noted.
The regulations place the responsibility on producers—including manufacturers, brand owners, and importers—to manage products from production to post-consumer disposal, reflecting the polluter pays principle.
Ahead of the March 14 enforcement date, NEMA hosted a virtual sensitization webinar on March 12, 2026, to guide stakeholders through the new process. Following this, the authority will hold in-person public forums from March 16 to 20 in various regions to assist businesses with the transition.
In the coastal region, the forum in Mombasa will cover Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, Voi, and Taveta counties, including border points. Nairobi will host the central region forum, covering Nairobi, JKIA, Nyeri, Machakos, Meru, Kerugoya, Thika, Naivasha, Nakuru, and Embu. The western region forum in Kisumu will cover Kisumu, Eldoret, Busia, Malaba, Kisii, and Kakamega counties, including border points.
NEMA emphasized that the new EPR Import Certificate will not only facilitate compliance but also encourage sustainable waste management practices, helping Kenya align with global environmental standards.