By AARON CHIYANZO
THE Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has received new equipment for the petroleum testing laboratory which will expand its capacity to test all aspects of petroleum products, bureau testing laboratories manager Andrew Chipongo has said.
Mr Chipongo said the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Analyser which is valued at 48, 000 euros (equivalent to K1.2 million) will enable ZABS to offer more comprehensive tests for the petroleum industry.
He said the new equipment was procured with the help of the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP) at a cost of 48, 000 euros.
This is according to a statement issued by ZABS Marketing and Communications Manager, Nzali Chella.
Mr Chipongo said the parameters that ZABS would be able to test using the new equipment were broad with test results being produced within 30 minutes from the 48hours it used take with the old equipment.
“The equipment is quite robust as it can perform a wide range of tests on petroleum products simultaneously. With this equipment, our clients and the general public are assured of safe, effective, and clean petroleum products,” he said.
ZABS houses a petroleum Testing laboratory and has been conducting tests on behalf of regulators, oil marketing companies, and the general public to ensure that the petroleum products meet customer quality requirements as well as Government and industry specifications.
The ZABS Petroleum Laboratory is one of the five laboratories that maintains ISO 17025 accreditation status.
