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Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), in partnership with the British Standards Institute (BSI), has launched a pioneering Biobanking Accreditation Awareness Workshop at the Pullman Hotel, Nairobi.
This four-day workshop brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including regulators, technical experts, and professionals from the biotechnology and research sectors, to strengthen capacity in biobanking accreditation based on the internationally recognized ISO 20387:2018 standard.
This initiative is part of a strategic collaboration between KENAS and BSI to enhance Kenya’s Quality Infrastructure (QI) ecosystem, which encompasses areas such as metrology, standards, and conformity assessment.
The partnership has already been instrumental in the development of the Kenya Quality Policy, positioning the nation to benefit from increased global trade and technological advancements. In his opening remarks, KENAS CEO, Dr. Walter Ongeti, underscored the significance of this milestone for Kenya and the African continent as a whole.
“This workshop marks a historic step for KENAS and the entire African continent,” Dr. Ongeti said.
“We are proud to be the first accreditation body in Africa to offer formal accreditation to biobanks under the ISO 20387:2018 standard. This achievement demonstrates Africa’s commitment to aligning with global standards in scientific research, medical advancements, and biotechnology.”
Biobanks, which serve as repositories for biological samples, play a crucial role in research related to genomics, drug development, cancer treatment, and public health initiatives.
Accreditation ensures that the handling of these biological samples adheres to the highest standards of integrity, quality, and ethical responsibility. This, in turn, safeguards both the research outcomes and patient care.
Dr. Ongeti further emphasized the far-reaching impact of biobanking accreditation, stating, “Biobanking accreditation under ISO 20387:2018 will not only strengthen Africa’s research landscape but also reduce regulatory barriers, improve trade opportunities, and enhance the global trust placed in African research and healthcare solutions.”
The accreditation will streamline research processes, enhance the credibility of research samples, and foster global collaborations. As a result, Africa is poised to take its place at the forefront of cutting-edge scientific discoveries.
KENAS is Kenya’s National Accreditation Body, responsible for providing accreditation services to conformity assessment bodies in areas such as testing, calibration, medical laboratory testing, biobanking, certification, validation, verification, and inspection. By ensuring the competence of these bodies against international standards, KENAS plays a critical role in facilitating trade in, enhancing quality assurance, and promoting health and safety across Africa.
By James Nyaigoti