Seminar - Advancing Standards for Menstrual Products: A Global Perspective

On May 16th 2025 in Nairobi, representatives from the ISO committee for Menstrual Products held the opening remark, followed by experts who discussed menstrual health policies, regional standards, research, sustainability, and innovations. The event included presentations, exhibits, and a panel discussion on international standards for menstrual products and low-resource settings.

PROGRAM

09:10 – 09:20 | Advancing Standards for Menstrual Products: A Global Perspective
Speaker: Representative from ISO/TC 338 Menstrual Products Secretariat, Wendy Anderson, the Case for Her

09:20 – 09:35 | Menstrual Health Policies in Africa: Perspectives from the Ministry of Health
Speaker: Dr. Simon Kigondu, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Chairperson KEBS/TC 069 – Medical & Hygienic Textile Products

09:35 – 10:05 | Harmonizing Regional Standards for Menstrual Products in East Africa
Speaker: Levi Kanene, Secretary, EASC/TC 061 – Textiles, Textile Products & Accessories

10:00-10:30 | Research on Menstrual Health & Hygiene in Kenya
• Prof. Josphat Igadwa Mwasiagi, Associate Professor, Textile Engineering, Moi University
• Ann Mburu, Research Scientist, Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute (KIRDI)

10:45-11:20 | Environmental Sustainability in Menstrual Product Waste Management

• Case studies from India & Nepal - Diana Nelson and Arundati Muralidharan, MHAi
• Innovations in Menstrual Product Manufacturing – Madhvi Dalal, Founder & CEO, Padmad

11:20 – 11.50 |Recent Research on Toxicity & Quality of Menstrual Products

• Kathrin Schilling, Columbia University
• ISO/TC 338 LMIC Group Representative

12:10-12:50 | Panel Discussion – Addressing Needs & Challenges in Low-Resource Settings through Standards, Innovation & Sustainability. Challenges in Developing Standards & Cost-Efficient Test Methods in Low-Income Countries

• Moderator: Ken Oduor, Standards Officer, Textiles, KEBS
• Panelists: Representatives from EAC, NEMA, ISO/TC 338 LMIC Group, Academia, and the Private Sector

12:50-13:00 | Closing Remarks & Seminar Conclusion - ISO/TC 338 and/or Ministry of Health and/or KEBS
Speakers: ISO/TC 338 Representative / KEBS

For more information, please contact:
Ken Oduor (oduork@kebs.org ), Standards Officer, KEBS or Joakim Falk (joakim.falk@sis.se), Project Manager, SIS