ZCSA commends media for empowering consumers with information

THE Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) says the media serves as a vital conduit for information that empowers consumers, inspires innovation, and fosters a culture of excellence in the nation’s businesses.

ZCSA Board chairperson Ian Mupeta said the media plays a critical role in prompting product safety in the country and acceptable.

He said ZCSA was committed in supplementing the efforts of governments by supporting small and medium enterprises in producing safe products so that they could create more jobs.

Mr Mupeta also revealed that ZCSA will next month train selected journalists who broadcast in local languages in matters related to compulsory standards in a quest to enhance consumer protection across the country.

He said this during the ZCSA inaugural awards were eight journalists mostly females from Lusaka, Kitwe, Kabwe and Livingstone were recognised for their effective dissemination of information to the public on compulsory standards and the general mandate of the agency during the year 2023.

“More than 322 articles were published and aired on various media platforms on the subject of compulsory standards during the year 2023. This is an outstanding contribution by the media in ensuring safety of the Zambian people,” he said

Mr. Mupeta said the agency would train journalists who broadcast in seven major languages of Zambia to enhance consumer protection in rural and urban areas.

He said said one of the functions of ZCSA, as outlined in Section 5 of the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, is 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 Act.