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Elder Lister
US Rejects Kenyan-Made Clothes For Hurting Babies
by Maureen Njeri on Wednesday, 16 August 2023 - 7:45 am
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled over 100,000 pairs of jeans made in Kenya for babies and distributed at retail outlets in the North American nation.
According to CPSC, the pairs of jeans meant for babies are dangerous and hazardous to the wearers due to some faulty features that happened during manufacturing. The clothing items are said to have metal snaps that could potentially fall off and choke babies and toddlers. In response to the identified safety concerns, retail outlets have been instructed to reach out to the parents who purchased the items and facilitate the return process.
Among the 100,000 pieces, 97,400 were sold in the US, and 1,800 were sold in Canada, with each pair going for about Ksh3,600 (USD25). Clothes exported to the US are manufactured at garment companies operating in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Nairobi and Machakos counties. The clothes are exported under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) arrangements that give garment manufacturers in Africa preferential access to the US market. According to CPSC, the clothes recalled were sold exclusively at the local store from September 2022 to March 2023. However, the parents were incentivised with full refunds as retail stores took responsibility for the losses incurred. The decision to recall the products was prompted by a specific incident where a snap detached from one of the items, but luckily no injuries were reported.
In Canada, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act has prohibited recalled items from being redistributed, sold, or even given away, as it could potentially damage the reputation of the country. The Kenyan textile export market under the AGOA is one of the biggest on the continent, employing thousands in EPZs operating in Athi River, Machakos County, and Nairobi's Ruaraka area. Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has expressed confidence in its growth with the push for a free-trade agreement with the US ahead of the expiry of the AGOA deal in 2025. Kuria has also promised to promote local garment production by increasing taxes on imported clothes, especially second-hand garments, popularly known as mitumba. Research conducted in 2022 revealed that only five percent of Kenyans buy locally-made clothes with many pointing out that the cost was a major factor.A significant contributor to driving up costs is expensive raw materials including cotton which the country imports.
by Maureen Njeri on Wednesday, 16 August 2023 - 7:45 am
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled over 100,000 pairs of jeans made in Kenya for babies and distributed at retail outlets in the North American nation.
According to CPSC, the pairs of jeans meant for babies are dangerous and hazardous to the wearers due to some faulty features that happened during manufacturing. The clothing items are said to have metal snaps that could potentially fall off and choke babies and toddlers. In response to the identified safety concerns, retail outlets have been instructed to reach out to the parents who purchased the items and facilitate the return process.
Among the 100,000 pieces, 97,400 were sold in the US, and 1,800 were sold in Canada, with each pair going for about Ksh3,600 (USD25). Clothes exported to the US are manufactured at garment companies operating in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Nairobi and Machakos counties. The clothes are exported under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) arrangements that give garment manufacturers in Africa preferential access to the US market. According to CPSC, the clothes recalled were sold exclusively at the local store from September 2022 to March 2023. However, the parents were incentivised with full refunds as retail stores took responsibility for the losses incurred. The decision to recall the products was prompted by a specific incident where a snap detached from one of the items, but luckily no injuries were reported.
In Canada, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act has prohibited recalled items from being redistributed, sold, or even given away, as it could potentially damage the reputation of the country. The Kenyan textile export market under the AGOA is one of the biggest on the continent, employing thousands in EPZs operating in Athi River, Machakos County, and Nairobi's Ruaraka area. Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has expressed confidence in its growth with the push for a free-trade agreement with the US ahead of the expiry of the AGOA deal in 2025. Kuria has also promised to promote local garment production by increasing taxes on imported clothes, especially second-hand garments, popularly known as mitumba. Research conducted in 2022 revealed that only five percent of Kenyans buy locally-made clothes with many pointing out that the cost was a major factor.A significant contributor to driving up costs is expensive raw materials including cotton which the country imports.
Mwalimu-G
Elder Lister
The story didn't start yesterday...
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US threats force EAC to back down on secondhand clothes ban
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24 2018
Traders sell secondhand clothes at an open air market in Kenya. East African countries have backed down on their initial stand on banning the importation secondhand clothing. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Summary
By CHRISTABEL LIGAMI
More by this Author
East African countries have backed down on their initial stand on banning the importation secondhand clothing. Instead they will use of tax measures and incentives to spur local manufacturing.
During the EAC Heads of State retreat on infrastructure and health financing in Kampala, the EAC presidents resolved to prioritise the development of a competitive domestic textile and leather sector to provide affordable clothes and leather products in the region.
“Partner states should now focus on boosting the EAC textile and footwear manufacturing in the region through measures that will not jeopardise the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) benefits,” said the presidents in a joint statement.
The heads of state further directed the Council of Ministers to put in place mechanisms that support textile and leather manufacturing in EAC, and report progress in the next Summit.
They also directed the Secretariat to request the US to give the bloc more time to finalise consultations to address Washington’s concerns on used clothes imports.
Kenya will continue applying an ad valorem rate of 35 per cent and specific rate of $ 0.2 per kg on imported secondhand clothing while Rwanda will continue to apply both ad valorem and specific rates of 35 per cent and 40 US cents respectively. Burundi will continue applying ad valorem rate of 35 per cent and specific rate of 40 US cents per kg.
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The EAC countries had jointly proposed a specific rate of $0.4 per kilogramme from July 2015.
“The decisions basically show no harmonised regional position. Each country is being allowed to do what it deems to be interests,” said Peter Kiguta, a regional trade expert. He said the Customs Union Protocol was not being respected.
“As per the Customs Union, EAC countries are supposed to make joint decisions on matters of foreign trade. Of late it seems adherence to EAC decisions is based on selfish country interests,” Mr Kiguta added.
Agoa ban threat
The decision by the EAC to tone down on their 2016 stance to completely ban importation of secondhand clothing into the region follows a decision by the US in the Out-of-Cycle Review to temporarily suspend Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania from duty-free access to US and Agoa for all eligible exports until they reverse the ban.
Kenya had requested the SCTIFI for a stay of application of the import tariff on used clothing to apply $0.20 per kg and, was therefore, not affected. Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda were granted until December to address US concerns on used clothing.
“Kenya wished to be coming with EAC tariff regime to avoid backlash from USA which had hinted at withdrawing Agoa market access preferences. The USA market is becoming more important for Kenya with introduction of direct flights from Nairobi. It would be foolhardy for Kenya to antagonise USA,” said Mr Kiguta.
On February 13, the US acting director for Economic and Regional Affairs Harry Sullivan, asked the heads of state for Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda to reduce their tariffs to pre 2016 levels and commit not to phase out the imports of used clothes without justification.
“So rather than banning imported used clothing, we believe the most effective domestic growth strategy for the local fashion and apparel industry would be to build its brands and markets for the growing middle class,” said Mr Sullivan.
“In order to continue to receive benefits under the Agoa programme, countries must meet Agoa eligibility criteria, which include eliminating barriers to US trade and investment.
ADVERTISEMENT
US threats force EAC to back down on secondhand clothes ban
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24 2018
Traders sell secondhand clothes at an open air market in Kenya. East African countries have backed down on their initial stand on banning the importation secondhand clothing. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Summary
- EAC presidents resolved to prioritise the development of a competitive domestic textile and leather sector to provide affordable clothes and leather products in the region.
- The decision by the EAC to tone down on their 2016 stance to completely ban importation of secondhand clothing into the region follows a decision by the US in the Out-of-Cycle Review to temporarily suspend Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania from duty-free access to US and Agoa for all eligible exports until they reverse the ban.
By CHRISTABEL LIGAMI
More by this Author
East African countries have backed down on their initial stand on banning the importation secondhand clothing. Instead they will use of tax measures and incentives to spur local manufacturing.
During the EAC Heads of State retreat on infrastructure and health financing in Kampala, the EAC presidents resolved to prioritise the development of a competitive domestic textile and leather sector to provide affordable clothes and leather products in the region.
“Partner states should now focus on boosting the EAC textile and footwear manufacturing in the region through measures that will not jeopardise the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) benefits,” said the presidents in a joint statement.
The heads of state further directed the Council of Ministers to put in place mechanisms that support textile and leather manufacturing in EAC, and report progress in the next Summit.
They also directed the Secretariat to request the US to give the bloc more time to finalise consultations to address Washington’s concerns on used clothes imports.
Kenya will continue applying an ad valorem rate of 35 per cent and specific rate of $ 0.2 per kg on imported secondhand clothing while Rwanda will continue to apply both ad valorem and specific rates of 35 per cent and 40 US cents respectively. Burundi will continue applying ad valorem rate of 35 per cent and specific rate of 40 US cents per kg.
ADVERTISEMENT
The EAC countries had jointly proposed a specific rate of $0.4 per kilogramme from July 2015.
“The decisions basically show no harmonised regional position. Each country is being allowed to do what it deems to be interests,” said Peter Kiguta, a regional trade expert. He said the Customs Union Protocol was not being respected.
“As per the Customs Union, EAC countries are supposed to make joint decisions on matters of foreign trade. Of late it seems adherence to EAC decisions is based on selfish country interests,” Mr Kiguta added.
Agoa ban threat
The decision by the EAC to tone down on their 2016 stance to completely ban importation of secondhand clothing into the region follows a decision by the US in the Out-of-Cycle Review to temporarily suspend Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania from duty-free access to US and Agoa for all eligible exports until they reverse the ban.
Kenya had requested the SCTIFI for a stay of application of the import tariff on used clothing to apply $0.20 per kg and, was therefore, not affected. Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda were granted until December to address US concerns on used clothing.
“Kenya wished to be coming with EAC tariff regime to avoid backlash from USA which had hinted at withdrawing Agoa market access preferences. The USA market is becoming more important for Kenya with introduction of direct flights from Nairobi. It would be foolhardy for Kenya to antagonise USA,” said Mr Kiguta.
On February 13, the US acting director for Economic and Regional Affairs Harry Sullivan, asked the heads of state for Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda to reduce their tariffs to pre 2016 levels and commit not to phase out the imports of used clothes without justification.
“So rather than banning imported used clothing, we believe the most effective domestic growth strategy for the local fashion and apparel industry would be to build its brands and markets for the growing middle class,” said Mr Sullivan.
“In order to continue to receive benefits under the Agoa programme, countries must meet Agoa eligibility criteria, which include eliminating barriers to US trade and investment.
They should diversify to other markets 100k pieces only comes to around 400m in sales when the whole textile export industry is worth over 30billions....vitisho ndogo ndogo ziishe ma heshima idumu.
Do you know how EPZ works?
Why don't you teach us?
Tiiga Waana
Elder Lister
Kenya needs to take constructive criticism very seriously and take on board lessons learnt thereof.
Standards are there for a reason, foremost being health and safety of consumers.
Instead of playing the victim, we need to embrace high quality and excellence in our procedures and products.
For those who think we should look for markets of the same inferior and dangerous products elsewhere, they fail to realise the workings of ISO (International Standards Organisation). Once you are labelled below par, your products are shunned by markets all over.
As a matter of fact, it could have been worse. If the said products had injured or killed we could have been sued for serious amounts of money and reputation.
Standards are there for a reason, foremost being health and safety of consumers.
Instead of playing the victim, we need to embrace high quality and excellence in our procedures and products.
For those who think we should look for markets of the same inferior and dangerous products elsewhere, they fail to realise the workings of ISO (International Standards Organisation). Once you are labelled below par, your products are shunned by markets all over.
As a matter of fact, it could have been worse. If the said products had injured or killed we could have been sued for serious amounts of money and reputation.
I've done that in my other reply
If that was it, then the diversification to other markets is still a valid one
But they've already diversified. These are clothes that EPZ makes on contract with companies around the world. If for instance Tommy Hilfiger in US contracts EPZ Kenya to make them clothes and one batch is rejected, EPZ cannot go and sell these Tommy Hilfiger clothes anywhere else in the world. It's a loss for them.
There are other companies that they can have contracts with and manufacture clothes for them, they should not feel limited
They have several contracts with different companies around the world. Nobody limits them. But US is extremely strict when it comes to quality of their clothes
Exactly thanks
Tiiga Waana
Elder Lister
Don’t you ever tire arguing with people defending the indefensible?
Defending inferior and dangerous products is not only ridiculous but also highly self-defeating and self-sabotaging. Why would one take that route?
Reflects very badly on one’s attitudes and ethos in life.
Tommy Kwesule.
Senior Lister
China has built it's economy by manufacturing good quality standard stuff for the West then turning around and produce substandard knockoffs for low income regions of the world.
Tiiga Waana
Elder Lister
Good point Sir.
But our case is different and should be distinguished from the Chinese one.
The American Standards Czar, British Standards etc are very strict about standard and quality of goods imported.
Third World Countries Inspection bodies (eg KEBS) choose to be lax and vulnerable to compromises (eg bribes to look the other way).
In such a case, is it Chinese or KEBS that is to blame?
Vietnam and Bangladesh have made a name for themselves by maintaining very lofty standards of products.
You could argue about working conditions but not accuse them of mediocrity like Kenya.
Why can’t we address the issue of mediocrity in our products so that we become competitive and country of choice?
shocks
Elder Lister
Tho on this point, nimeona some of their sweatshops, I doubt quality can come out of there. Or maybe products from there is sold to other thord world countries
Tiiga Waana
Elder Lister
You are very right @shocks. The sweatshops are bad news but their products are top notch.
You will be surprised that the Nikes, Adidas, New Balance that you have and treasure come from Vietnam.
Vietnam has managed in a relatively short time to inculcate hard, honest and good work ethic in it’s populace.
There are problems with working conditions as they almost border on slavery but conditions are improving due to insistence by the Western Consumers.