The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has announced the enforcement of 41 new compulsory standards, in a move aimed at strengthening consumer protection, public health, and environmental safety.
ZCSA Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, said the additional standards bring the total number of regulated products by ZCSA in Zambia to 102.
“ZCSA stands as a guardian of public health, safety, and consumer protection. These new standards are not just a regulatory tool, they are a commitment to safeguarding the lives of our citizens,” Mr Chizinga said.
He was speaking at the official opening of a media workshop in Lusaka today.
Mr Chizinga said the new measures will take effect on 1st October 2025, following the issuance of Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 20 of 2025 by the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry on May 9, 2025.
“The new compulsory standards cover a wide range of products including solar products, energy drinks, table wines, food products, packaging materials, fertilisers, and construction materials, among others,” he stated.
He revealed that ZCSA’s expanded mandate under Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, include pre-market approvals, factory inspections, border checks, and market surveillance to monitor compliance for both imported and locally produced goods.
Mr Chizinga further started that ZCSA has already embarked on nationwide stakeholder engagement, including training of inspectors and collaborating with media houses for widespread sensitisation in English and the major local languages.
“We believe the media is key in setting the public agenda your voice informs, influences, and inspires. Without an informed public, these standards cannot be effective,” he said.
And ZCSA Import Quality Monitoring Senior Inspector, Michael Mulenga, outlined the new standards which target a wide range of goods including food, solar equipment, construction materials, fertilisers, and hygiene-sensitive products.
Among the newly regulated products are precast concrete blocks, which now have to meet specific size and strength requirements due to past complaints of poor-quality building materials.
The agency has also introduced standards for solar system components, such as photovoltaic batteries and charge controllers in response to increased demand during periods of load shedding.
“We now have standards that specify exactly what kind of batteries and controllers can be used in solar installations to protect both consumers and the environment,” Mr Mulenga explained.
He further revealed that the food sector has also come under closer scrutiny, with new standards covering tomato products, pasteurized milk, yogurt, baby food, and energy drinks.
“These are designed to ensure hygiene, nutritional quality, and accurate labelling. For instance, energy drinks must now meet defined sugar and caffeine content limits, while baby food and milk products must comply with strict safety regulations to protect infants and young children,” he stated.
Additionally, engine oil, fertilisers such as calcium nitrate and ammonium phosphate, and packaging materials for food are now regulated under the new framework.
