ZCSA CONSULTS VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ON THE 40 NEW ZAMBIAN STANDARDS

 

 The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has disclosed that it is consulting various stakeholders on the proposed declaration of more than 40 new Zambian Standards as Compulsory Standards.

 

ZCSA Public Relations Officer Onishias Maamba said this follows the successful completion of the drafting process of the 41 proposed standards aimed at enhancing consumer and environmental protection.

 He said among the proposed compulsory standards are industrial goods, food products, solar equipment, construction materials, and fertilizer and packaging materials.

 Mr Maamba said by having more compulsory standards, the Agency will widen the scope of its regulatory intervention and enhance protection of consumers.

 He noted that during the course of last week, ZCSA engaged stakeholders from various sectors of the economy to gather valuable insights and feedback on the proposed declaration of Zambian Standards as Compulsory Standards.

 He said Stakeholders engaged include both private and public sector players in sectors under consideration, among others.

 He disclosed that during the consultations, ZCSA provided an overview of the draft Compulsory Standards and their potential impact and also received input through constructive discussions where stakeholders shared comments, concerns and Suggestions with the aim of refining the regulations before being finalized.

 He said the process of developing new Standards as Compulsory is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024.

He said Learned further, the consultations considered the proposed amendment of the Compulsory Standards Act No.3 of 2017 and the proposed Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) fees structure.

 

Mr Maamba added that Currently, ZCSA regulates 61 imported and locally manufactured products falling within the scope of Compulsory Standards covering food products, Beverages, Chemicals, Fertilizers, Cement and Household Electrical appliances, among others.