Echinops kebericho Mesfin, valued primarily for its roots, is one of the most important rnmedicinal plants of Ethiopia with a long traditional use against a range of ailments. However,rnquality control parameters and marker compound identification for E. kebericho have not beenrncarried out. In the present study, standardization of the roots of E. kebericho was carried outrnusing standard protocols with samples collected from two different sites. rnMorphologically, the fresh roots are found to be externally brown and internally pale yellow inrncolor. They are cylindrical and tapering towards the end with hard and fibrous surface,rncharacteristic odour and mildly pungent and bitter taste. Microscopically the transverse sectionrnshows vascular cambium and secondary xylem while vascular cambium is also detected inrnlongitudinal view of the root. rnThe physicochemical parameters; i.e., moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, watersolublernrnash, extractive values, swelling index, foaming index and particle size were alsorndetermined. Preliminary phytochemical analysis, chromatographic fingerprinting includingrnTLC, HPLC, LC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS, and spectroscopic fingerprinting using FTIR were done. rnPreliminary analysis indicated the possible presence of phenols, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids,rntannins, alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrate and volatile oils. Similarly, ranges of compoundsrnwere identified from LC-QTOF-MS and GC-MS analysis. Marker compounds were selectedrnfor additional quality assessment based on the major constituents of the identified compounds;rnthese are pyrocurzerenone and lappaconitine from LC-QTOF-MS, and dehydrocostus lactonernand dihdrodehydrocostus lactone from GC-MS analysis. rnThe residue analysis showed that most heavy metals except chromium were within the WHOrnpermissible limit. In microbial load test, total aerobic and mold counts were found to exceedrnthe WHO limit. Radionuclide contamination with rnirn rn238rnU, rn232rnTh and rn40rnK were detected andrnquantified. These parameters give characteristic identities for E. kebericho, which will bernuseful in its quality control and safe use.