ZCSA launch 41 New Standards
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 (10th October 2025) — The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has officially launched 41 new compulsory standards, a move aimed at enhancing consumer protection, ensuring product safety, and boosting confidence in both locally manufactured and imported goods. This implementation reflects ZCSA’s commitment to rigorous enforcement and the promotion of industrial competitiveness across multiple sectors.
Speaking during the launch at Urban Hotel in Lusaka, ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga described the development as a milestone in Zambia’s regulatory journey.
He emphasized that the operationalisation of the new standards will protect consumers, ensure fair trade practices, and hold industries accountable.
“This is a momentous milestone in our quest toward enhanced consumer protection,” Chizinga said.
“The new mandatory standards represent our collective commitment to ensuring that every Zambian has access to safe products.”
The launch follows Statutory Instrument No. 20 of 2025, issued on 9th May by Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, which expanded the list of compulsory standards from 61 to 102.
The newly operationalised standards cover a wide range of products, including solar equipment, packaging materials, construction materials, food products, energy drinks, table wines, fish and milk products, engine oils, and tomato products.
Chizinga explained that the process of developing these standards began three years ago and involved extensive consultations with industry players and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
Since its inception in 2018, ZCSA initially enforced standards on 60 products, increasing to 61 in 2020. With the latest additions, the agency now oversees standards for 102 products — a development he described as “a game-changer for consumer safety and industry accountability.”
“These new compulsory standards will undoubtedly enhance the safety of products across multiple sectors of our economy,” he said.
“We are ready to implement them effectively to ensure unsafe products are kept off the Zambian market.”
To ensure effective implementation, ZCSA has conducted training sessions for enforcement officers to equip them with the technical skills and tools necessary for rigorous and fair enforcement.
The agency has also empowered journalists across the country to educate the public on the importance of standards in both English and local languages.
“This two-pronged approach — enforcement and education — is essential in enhancing compliance among market players and protecting consumers,” Chizinga said.
“We have translated key messages into local languages to ensure that no one is left behind.”
He urged manufacturers, importers, and suppliers to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and ensure compliance as enforcement begins this month.
“ZCSA stands ready to support industry players through technical assistance,” he emphasized.
“We encourage full collaboration because the success of these standards depends on the commitment of every stakeholder.”
Chizinga stressed that the operationalisation of these standards is a national call to action involving government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and consumers.
“Together, we can build a Zambia where every product on our shelves meets the highest standards — where our industries thrive because they are trusted locally, regionally, and globally,” he said.
ZCSA Board Chairperson Ian Besa Mupeta described the new standards as a major step in ensuring that products and services in Zambia meet essential safety, health, and environmental requirements.
He commended Minister Mulenga for his leadership and policy guidance, which enabled the agency to strengthen its mandate.
“These new compulsory standards mark a significant stride in improving consumer welfare,” Mupeta said.
“They ensure that products and services meet minimum safety, health, and environmental requirements before entering the market.”
Mupeta highlighted that the standards will protect consumers, safeguard public health, promote environmental conservation, and enhance Zambia’s competitiveness in local and international trade.
“These standards will enhance consumer confidence, promote fair trade, and stimulate industrial growth,” he added.
He also noted that ZCSA aims to expand the number of products under compulsory standards to further protect citizens and will continue engaging the Ministry of Commerce on declaring additional Zambian standards as compulsory.
“We are ready to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of these standards,” he said.
“We will work with industry players, consumers, and stakeholders to promote compliance and quality.”
The event was also attended by Minister Mulenga, who praised ZCSA’s commitment to aligning national standards with international best practices to promote quality, safety, and sustainable industrial development.
Minister Hails Launch as a Step Toward Industrial Transformation
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Hon. Chipoka Mulenga described the operationalisation of the new standards as a key milestone in Zambia’s drive toward industrial transformation and sustainable economic development.
Approved by Cabinet on 27th March 2025 and declared through Statutory Instrument No. 20 of 2025, the standards cover products including solar equipment, packaging materials, fertilizers, beverages, fish and fish products, tomato and vegetable products, groundnuts, table wines, and milk products.
“These standards are not just regulatory tools but instruments of transformation,” Mulenga said.
“They protect consumers, promote innovation, and encourage investment in quality production.”
He emphasized that standards play a critical role in safeguarding public health and enabling industries to compete regionally and globally, thereby enhancing Zambia’s reputation as a reliable producer and exporter.
“Zambia’s standing in regional and international trade depends on the quality of its products. These standards help build stronger trade relationships, healthier communities, and a more resilient manufacturing sector,” he added.
Mulenga urged manufacturers and traders to view the operationalised standards as opportunities to improve product quality and expand into new markets.
He assured industry players of government support through ZCSA’s technical guidance during implementation.
“Compliance is not only a legal obligation—it is a business advantage,” he said. “To consumers, these standards are your shield. They guarantee that what you buy, eat, and use meets the quality and safety you deserve.”
He reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to aligning its regulatory framework with international best practices, noting that the new standards reflect the country’s dedication to trade facilitation, industrialization, and sustainable development.
“My ministry is confident that these new standards will enhance industrialization, trade, and market access,” Mulenga said. “Government remains focused on ensuring that commercial and industrial activities contribute meaningfully to national growth.”
Mulenga commended ZCSA for expanding the number of products under compulsory standards from 61 to 102 — a 65 percent increase — describing it as a strong indicator of Zambia’s commitment to consumer safety and economic competitiveness.
“This progress shows our commitment to protecting citizens’ health and safety while promoting industrial growth,” he said, pledging continued government support for effective enforcement.
He concluded by officially launching the standards, calling for collective action to build a culture of quality and integrity in Zambia’s industrial and commercial sectors.
“May this launch mark the beginning of a new chapter in Zambia’s industrial and commercial transformation,” he declared.
Background:
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency, established under the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, is mandated to administer and enforce compulsory standards to protect the health and safety of consumers, the environment, and the economy.
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