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Toll Free Number1545
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Introduction

Organic Chemistry laboratory is one of the eight testing laboratories at the KEBS headquarters. The laboratory has three sub-units namely, Wet Chemistry (Cosmetics) laboratory, Petroleum products laboratory, and Chromatography laboratory (see Fig. 1). The laboratory is manned by competent personnel including Technicians at Diploma level, Analysts at Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate level of education. The technical staff have also received technical and professional training to enhance their competence.
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Scope of Products Tested in Organic Laboratory

The laboratory tests a variety of products (see Table1), including, but not limited to, soaps (such as bathing soaps, toilet soap, and washing bars), liquid detergents (like dishwashing and general-purpose detergents), hair products (including hair relaxers, shampoos, and conditioners), and petroleum products (such as petrol, diesel, transmission fluid, grease, and lubricants).
Wet Chemistry Petroleum Chromatography
Cosmetic Products Engine Oil Alcoholic Beverages (Spirits and Wines)
Alcoholic Beverages Hydraulic Oil Fruit Juices
Soaps Lubricating Oil Beverages (Coffee, Tea)
Detergents Grease Infant Formulas
Disinfectants Diesel (AGO) Milk Powder
Colognes Petrol (PMS) Dietary Supplements
Toothpastes Kerosene Cosmetic Products
Candles Jet Fuel Packed Fruits
Scouring Detergents Brake Fluids Packed Vegetables
Fish
Scope of Testing and Accreditation

Scope of Testing

The laboratory performs tests for conformity assessment and for private customers based on national (Kenya Standards), regional (East Africa Community [EAC] Standards and ARSO Standards), international standards (ISO and Codex Alimentarius), and Standards from other reputable standard setting bodies such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International. The laboratory typically uses validated and/or verified test methods, although in some instances private customers may supply test methods alongside their own specifications, which must be verified by the laboratory before their deployment. For the scope of testing
Wet Chemistry Petroleum Chromatography
pH Density @ 150 C & 200C Ethanol Content by GC (Spirits and Wines)
Active Ingredient Distillation Profile Congeners by GC (Spirits and Wines)
Acidity Flash Point Caffeine Content
Total Fatty Matter ASTM Colour Sorbic Acid
Matter insoluble in Ethanol (MIE) Viscosity @ 40^0C Benzoic Acid
Free Caustic Alkali Viscosity @ 100^0C Vitamin C
Total Alkalinity Viscosity Index Pesticide Residues (OCPs, OPPs, Carbamates)
Free Fatty Acids Penetration Hydroquinone Content
Total Fatty Acids Organic Acidity Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Moisture Organic Alkalinity Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Volatile Equilibrium Reflux Boiling Point (ERBp)
Appearance
Energy (Calorific Value)
Moisture Content

Scope of Accreditation

Organic Chemistry laboratory has nine test methods accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) as follows:
  1. Determination of Total Free Alkali (TFA), as per TES/ORG/TM35
  2. Determination of Total Fatty Matter (TFM), as per TES/ORG/TM/09
  3. Determination of Caustic Free Alkali (FCA), as per TES/ORG/TM/08
  4. Determination of Density @20°C, as per TES/ORG/TM/19
  5. Determination of Flash Point, as per TES/ORG/TM/37
  6. Determination of Kinematic Viscosity (KV) @40°C, as per TES/ORG/TM/10
  7. Determination of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in alcoholic beverages, as per TES/ORG/TM/34
  8. Determination of Ethanol Content in alcoholic drinks, as per TES/ORG/TM/36
  9. Determination of Matter Insoluble in Ethanol (MIE), as per TES/ORG/TM/04

Laboratory Infrastructure

Tests in Organic Laboratory are conducted using state-of-the-art equipment. An assortment of chromatographic equipment including GC-FID/ECD/MS/MS, GC-MSD, GC-FID/ECD/PFPD, GC-MS/MS, HPLC-UVvis/FLD, UPLC-DAD/CAD, LC-MS/MS and UPLC-DAD/FLD/ELSD are available for use in the laboratory
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Services

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Reference Materials (Standards) and Calibration Services

The laboratory offers specialized calibration services for gas chromatographs, and alcolyzers providing calibration standards and quality control material for substances like Ethanol, Methanol, n-Propanol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Ethyl Acetate, Acetic Acid, and Amyl Alcohol
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Provision of Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme

The laboratory provides proficiency testing (PT) scheme material for Alcohol in aqueous media, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as Diesel, Beer (Lagers), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as Petrol etc
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Hands-on Technical Training

The laboratory offers hands-on technical training for chromatographic techniques, including gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, sample preparation, experimental design and advanced data analysis, statistics using Microsoft Excel etc.
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Host Webinars of Topical Technical Issues affecting measurements

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Research Activities in Metrology in Chemistry and Biology

The laboratory has been actively participating in the research activities of the Consultative Committee on Amount of Substance (CCQM) Working Group on Organic Analysis (OAWG) since 2008
Successful participation in key comparison let to the filing of Kenya’s first claim of calibration and measurement capability in the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) Key Comparison Database (KCDB). This is a publicly available database that shows the country’s measurement capability to support activities such as value-assignment of materials, reference measurement, and development of proficiency testing (PT) and reference materials. Organic laboratory filed a CMC for Ethanol in aqueous media in June 2013 to support service delivery in reference measurement