Acquaint yourselves with compulsory standards – journalists counselled

LUSAKA, April 12, 2024

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has urged journalists to familiarise themselves with compulsory standards to help promote product safety and protection of consumers.

ZCSA Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, said journalists must set a public agenda on compulsory standards to contribute to public education efforts by the Agency.

Mr Chizinga said ZCSA recognises the important role the media plays in educating the masses on different subjects including product standards.

He said this today in Lusaka during the official opening of the Media Engagement workshop for journalists who broadcasts in local languages from 10 provinces of Zambia.

The workshop is aimed at enhancing journalists’ knowledge and understanding of implementation of compulsory standards to raise public awareness in local languages on product safety.

Mr Chizinga said ZCSA ensures that products covered by compulsory standards meet specific criteria before they can be supplied on the market as required by the Compulsory Standards Act No.3 of 2017.

He said the criteria specified in compulsory standards include performance, composition, contents, methods of manufacturing or processing, design, packaging and labelling, among others, in a quest to prevent the risk of injury or harm to consumers and the environment.

Mr Chizinga reminded producers and traders that it is illegal to supply products covered by compulsory standards on the market without authority from the Agency.

He said ZCSA will not hesitate to withdraw products which do not comply with compulsory standards from the market.

Media Trainer, Hebert Macha urged journalists to investigate the dangers of consuming non-compliant products in a bid to contribute to consumer protection and public education by the Agency.

This is contained in a statement issued by ZCSA Head of communications  Brain Hatyoka.