Register and license toxic and hazardous chemicals with NEMA
National Environment Management Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Register each toxic or hazardous industrial chemical with NEMA first (KSh 1,000), then apply for the licence or permit you need on the NEMA licensing portal, with the Material Safety Data Sheet. NEMA decides within 21 working days.
- Fee
- KSh 1,000Registration of a chemicalKSh 10,000Application for a licence (manufacture, distribute, store, transport, or import/export/transit)KSh 100,000Annual licence to manufacture, import, export, distribute or storeKSh 40,000Annual licence to transportKSh 40,000Import/export/transit permit (per consignment)KSh 100,000Transfer of a licence
- How long
- Within 21 working days
- Where
- Online on the NEMA licensing portal (licensing.nema.go.ke). NEMA head office: Popo Road, South C, off Mombasa Road, Nairobi.
What you need
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical or mixture
- Risk Management Plan
- Emergency Response Plan
- For restricted chemicals: prior informed consent where the receiving country's consent is required
Steps
- Register the chemical with NEMA first. You cannot get a licence or permit for an unregistered chemical.
- Apply online at licensing.nema.go.ke, attaching the MSDS, risk management plan and emergency response plan.
- Pay the prescribed fee and respond quickly to any questions NEMA raises.
- If you both manufacture and import, apply for one combined licence rather than several.
Watch out
- A licence is renewed every year; a permit can be one-off or issued per consignment.
- Small and large handlers pay the same licence fees.
Who can apply
- Anyone who manufactures, imports, exports, distributes or supplies toxic or hazardous industrial chemicals or materials.
- Not covered: pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, radioactive materials and explosives (other laws apply).
Official sources (6)
- EMCA (Management of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Materials) Regulations, 2024 (L.N. 182 of 2024) nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- NEMA Resolved Service Charter 2025-2027 nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- NEMA Service Charter 2025-2027 (Booklet) nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- FAQs on the Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Materials Regulations, 2024 nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Management of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals Materials in Kenya (brochure) nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- NEMA Licensing Portal licensing.nema.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026