ZCSA completes formulation of 44 new compulsory standards
THE Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has completed the drafting of 44 new compulsory standards aimed at enhancing consumer and environmental protection.
The process of declaring the standards as compulsory standards will be completed by the 2nd quarter of 2024.
This was announced by the ZCSA Head of Communications, Brian Hatyoka, during the agency roadshow at Saturday market in Chipata in Eastern Province.
Mr Hatyoka explained that the new draft standards included industrial goods and food products.
“The drafting of new standards 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,” he said.
ZCSA currently regulates 61 imported and locally manufactured products under compulsory standards in the areas of food products, beverages, chemicals, fertilisers, cement, household electrical appliances and textile products, among others.
On the roadshow, Mr Hatyoka said it was aimed at sensitising the public, especially marketers, traders and other stakeholders, on unregulated potable spirits, used undergarments and other regulated products.
“Further, ZCSA would like to talk about common locally produced products in eastern province such as peanut butter, mealie meal, cooking oil and packaged drinking water.
“The message generally is to encourage people producing, packaging and supplying these illegally to formalise their businesses and register with the agency as required by the compulsory standards act no. 3 of 2024,” he said.
At the same function, Chipata City Mayor, George Mwanza, regretted that Zambia had illegal production of alcoholic drinks in the backyards without adhering to safety and hygienic standards for human health.
Mr Mwanza urged consumers to buy products from reputable sources and to support Government institutions such as ZCSA and the local authority as they protected their safety and health.
He said this in a speech read for him by Kapata ward Councillor Mathews Kachali.
“Talking about potable spirits, it is sad that most of our young being are indulging in unregulated spirits commonly known as tujilijili which have higher alcohol content above safe threshold for human consumption.
“These spirits are often poorly packaged in small bottles with scanty contents or information on the label,” Mr Mwanza said.