"No Safe Haven for Unsafe Products"

New NPA-ZCSA partnership targets substandard products with tougher investigations, stronger prosecutions and enhanced consumer protection

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
LUSAKA, Zambia — July 27, 2026 — The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to tighten enforcement against unsafe and substandard products, a move expected to strengthen consumer protection and improve the prosecution of offenders.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka on Monday, Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri said the agreement marks a new chapter in the fight against the sale of products that put the lives and health of Zambians at risk.

Phiri said the MoU is more than just a formal agreement between two institutions, describing it as a shared commitment to ensure that laws meant to protect the public are backed by effective enforcement.

He said ordinary citizens judge government by the quality and safety of the products they buy, not by the different mandates of public institutions, making cooperation between regulators and prosecutors essential.

The DPP said the partnership will improve information sharing, strengthen case preparation, enhance collaboration between investigators and prosecutors, and provide for joint investigations in complex cases.

He added that the agreement also allows qualified lawyers from ZCSA to work alongside prosecutors from the National Prosecution Authority in handling technical cases involving compulsory standards.

Phiri noted that offences under the Compulsory Standards Act often involve specialised scientific and technical issues, making close cooperation between prosecutors and regulators critical to securing successful convictions.

ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga welcomed the partnership, saying it would strengthen the Agency's efforts to keep unsafe and non-compliant products off the Zambian market.

He said the Agency is mandated under the Compulsory Standards Act to protect public health, consumer interests and the environment by ensuring that locally manufactured and imported products meet mandatory safety requirements before reaching consumers.

Chizinga said the agreement is the result of months of discussions between the two institutions after ZCSA approached the Director of Public Prosecutions to explore ways of working together.

He said the collaboration will equip prosecutors with a better understanding of offences under the Compulsory Standards Act while helping investigators prepare stronger cases for court.

"The law on compulsory standards is clear, but it only becomes meaningful when offenders are successfully prosecuted," Chizinga said.

He said prosecution remains one of the strongest tools for ensuring businesses comply with the law and discouraging those who are tempted to place unsafe or substandard products on the market.

Chizinga warned that weak enforcement could expose consumers to dangerous products and undermine key sectors such as health, agriculture and energy.

To demonstrate ZCSA's commitment to the agreement, he announced that the Agency will host the first engagement meeting for prosecutors to deepen their understanding of compulsory standards and strengthen cooperation between the two institutions.

He said the partnership should also reassure the public that government remains committed to protecting consumers and ensuring that only safe and compliant products are sold on the Zambian market.

Phiri stressed that the agreement is not intended to frustrate genuine businesses but to create a level playing field where companies that follow the law are not disadvantaged by those who cut corners for profit.

He warned that manufacturers, importers and traders who deliberately put unsafe or non-compliant products on the market should expect the full force of the law where sufficient evidence exists.

"Public safety cannot depend on voluntary compliance alone. It requires effective enforcement," Phiri said.

He said the real success of the partnership would be seen in stronger investigations, well-prepared cases, successful prosecutions and increased public confidence that institutions charged with protecting consumers are doing their job.