ZABS TESTS 8,571 SAMPLES, CERTIFIES 2,220 PRODUCTS



Bureau steps up quality testing, standards development and market surveillance

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 — 18 September 2026 — The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has tested 8,571 samples and certified 2,220 products in the first eight months of 2026 as it steps up efforts to ensure that products on the Zambian market meet required quality and safety standards.

ZABS Executive Director Nathan Sing’ambwa told Zambia24 that the testing was part of the Bureau’s responsibility to protect consumers and ensure that businesses comply with the required standards.

According to Sing’ambwa, the samples were tested between January and August at ZABS laboratories in Lusaka, Kitwe, Chipata and Mongu.

Sing’ambwa said the samples included food and beverages, consumer goods, agricultural inputs, petroleum products, construction materials, medical consumables, infection prevention supplies, water and environmental samples.

He said the testing was important in checking whether products being produced, supplied or sold to the public met the required quality and safety standards.

Sing’ambwa said ZABS also developed and published 352 standards during the period, bringing the total number of standards developed by the Bureau to 8,351.

He said the standards cover different parts of the economy and help local businesses produce goods and services that can compete in regional and international markets.

Sing’ambwa said ZABS certified 169 products manufactured by large enterprises under the Quality Mark between January and August.

He said 128 products manufactured by small and medium enterprises were also certified under the Certified Local Supplier Scheme (CLSS).

Sing’ambwa said the new certifications brought the total number of products certified by ZABS to 2,220.

He said the Bureau also trained 733 industry personnel during the eight months in quality assurance, standards compliance and other requirements.

Sing’ambwa said the training was meant to help businesses understand what is required of them and improve the quality of products reaching consumers.

Meanwhile, Sing’ambwa said ZABS had stepped up market surveillance to deal with the illegal use of its quality marks on products being sold to the public.

He said the exercise uncovered 27 products that were falsely displaying ZABS marks, prompting the Bureau to begin enforcement action against them.

Sing’ambwa said the illegal use of ZABS marks could mislead consumers into believing that products had been tested and certified by the Bureau when they had not.

He said ZABS would continue providing standards and quality assurance services to help businesses improve their products while protecting consumers in line with the Standards Act, Chapter 416 of the Laws of Zambia.

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