Govt beefs up quality control standards

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 08:57:19 +0000

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

 GOVERNMENT is this year expected to introduce 47 new standards that will compel traders and manufacturers to offload quality products on the market.

The measure is intended to protect consumers from harmful products.

Currently, Zambia has 65 mandatory standards which are meant to ensure that only quality products are offloaded on the market.

According to Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) interim chief executive officer, Peggy Chituta, among the 47 standards to be introduced were those in the construction, dairy and health sectors.

Ms. Chituta explained that the standards which were developed by the Zambia Bureau of Standards and implemented by ZCSA were strictly meant to avoid sub-standards products from the market.

“Before the end of 2018, we will see that we have increased our standards by 47, one of the standards that we have also quickly worked on is for trading places and bus stops.

“In light with the cholera epidemic we experienced, this will guide our stakeholders in how they keep their premises clean and it will be declared compulsory.

“We are also in the process of declaring the standards for spirits particularly in light of the abuse of tujilijili and bring some sanity on how the product is consumed in the country,” she said.

She was speaking in Lusaka yesterday during a media briefing.

Ms. Chituta also said the agency had partnered with a number of stakeholders such the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and Energy Regulation Board, among others in regulating compulsory standards for foods, fuels and road tank vehicles.

“One of our new mandates is to educate the public on compulsory standards. In this regard, the agency will engage local manufacturers, traders, consumers and other stakeholders to share information on the subject so that each party is aware of their part in ensuring that there is compliance for products on the market,” she said.

She said the agency had also signed contracts with inspection agencies from other countries on the used motor vehicles being imported.