The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has started the process of increasing the number of compulsory standards in a bid to enhance consumer protection.
This is in response to the increasing number of products on the market especially those merchandise which require regulatory intervention for enhanced protection of consumers.
By having more compulsory standards, the Agency will have will a wider scope of covering more products in the country.
Currently, there are 61 products covered under our regulatory intervention.
Part of the 61 list of compulsory standards include Lead Acid Batteries, poultry feed, pig feed, cattle feed, toilet soap, maize meal (mealie meal), refined edible vegetable oil, crude edible oil, clear beer, opaque beer, bottled water, fertilizers, white sugar, cement, peanut butter, electrical cables, plugs and socket outlets.
Others are Code of practice for inspection and acceptance criteria for used textile products (salaula) as well as Code of practice for inspection and testing of used motor vehicles for road worthiness, among others.
At the moment, there are 52 proposed compulsory standards that are under consideration covering a wide range of products.
Further, ZCSA will enhance enforcement activities on potable spirits which the Agency started regulating in 2021 following the issuance of Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 18 of 2020.
Implementation of more enforcement activities on this standard is aimed at increasing compliance levels for enhanced safety of consumers.
On Friday, March 10, 2023, ZCSA participated in the World Consumer Rights Day Exhibition at the Levy Junction Mall to sensitise the public on its mandate.
The Agency is, among other functions, mandated to educate the public on compulsory standards and provide public information for the protection of the consumers on products and services which do not comply with the Compulsory Standards Act No.3 of 2017.
The Exhibition was held under the theme “Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions”.
This is contained in a statement issued by Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency head of communication BRIAN HATYOKA.
I love how you addressed this issue. Very insightful!