Soma Label is a mobile application by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to help customers identify counterfeit products in the market. This initiative is part of KRA’s comprehensive strategy to bolster market oversight and combat the proliferation of counterfeit goods. This is a user-friendly tool designed to verify the authenticity of excise stamps found on products in supermarkets and shops. As a consumer, it’s essential to ensure that the products you purchase are genuine, especially those that are excisable, such as alcoholic beverages and cosmetics.
How Soma Label app works
In accordance with the law, a range of products are mandated to bear excise tax stamps. These products include wines, spirits, beer, bottled water, juices, soda, energy drinks, cigarettes, and other tobacco items. Manufacturers get KRA tax stamps, which carry multiple security features. After paying the necessary taxes, they are issued with a tax stamp. KRA tax stamps are equipped with multiple security features and are individually numbered with encrypted data codes. The encrypted data codes on each stamp are seamlessly integrated into a track and trace system.
The system maintains individualized information for each product. Track and trace systems oversee the progression of raw materials and components as they move through the supply chain, through manufacturing, distribution, and into the hands of consumers. This system provides specific insights into the exact company plant and production sector where a product is manufactured. It also facilitates the tracing of a product’s journey from raw materials through manufacturing to the consumer, or even in the reverse direction.
That is, from the consumer back to the factory and the raw materials. It means, a verified product can vouch for the authenticity and legality of its ingredients. In the event of an authentic stamp, additional product-specific information is retrieved from the track and trace system. This immediate confirmation of authenticity enables consumers to confidently purchase genuine products. A genuine product will return the message “Successful Verification”. A product that is not genuine will return the message “Verification Failed”.
How to verify products’ authenticity
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Soma Label app to check whether the products you buy are authentic or fake.
1. Download and install the app
The Soma Label app is available for both Android and iOS users. Once installed on your smartphone, the app icon will appear on your home screen; when you launch the app, you will be greeted by the KRA logo. Before proceeding, you’ll need to accept the Terms & conditions, after which the app will walk you through six onboarding screens that explain the authentication process.
2. Barcode scanning
The verification process starts by scanning the product’s barcode. Align the barcode within the frame on the app’s screen, and once successfully scanned, a message confirming the scan will appear. If the scan is unsuccessful, you can manually input the barcode.
3. Scan the excise stamp
Once the barcode is scanned, the app will guide you to the stamp-scanning page. This is where you verify the excise stamp, an essential marker of product authenticity. To scan, align the stamp within the frame on your screen. If lighting is an issue, a flash button at the top right corner will help illuminate the stamp for better clarity. The app supports two types of codes: DMX and QR codes. You can switch between them based on the code type on the excise stamp. After scanning, the app will prompt you to confirm if the excise stamp’s color shifts when viewed from different angles, an extra layer of security embedded in the stamps.
4. Get verification results
Once the scan is completed, the app will display the results. A green gauge indicates a successful verification, meaning the product is authentic. A red gauge suggests that the verification has failed, signalling the possibility of a counterfeit product.
5. Report a problem
If the verification fails, the app provides an option to report the issue. This opens the “Report a Problem” page, where you can fill out details about the product and the problem encountered. Once completed, submit the report to KRA.
6. Additional features
The Soma Label app also includes:
- An information tab, which explains the different types of excise stamps.
- A report tab that allows users to report issues even without scanning.
- An activity tab that shows a summary of scans made over time.
This app not only benefits consumers but also supports KRA’s efforts to maintain tax compliance and reduce instances of tax evasion and the circulation of counterfeit products in the market.
