ZCSA Consults Stakeholders On 42 Proposed Compulsory Standards

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) is consulting stakeholders on 42 proposed compulsory standards aimed at strengthening consumer and environmental protection.

ZCSA Public Relations Officer Onishias Maamba said the consultations follow the successful completion of the drafting process for the proposed standards, which cover a range of products, including chemicals, food products, beverages, cigarettes, liquefied petroleum gas, cosmetic creams, lotions and gels for skincare, disposable and reusable sanitary pads, and maize bran.

Mr. Maamba said the introduction of additional compulsory standards would strengthen the Agency’s regulatory capacity and expand its scope of intervention to enhance consumer protection. He added that the consultation process follows extensive discussions with the Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) on the structure and procedures for conducting Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) for all 42 proposed standards.

He said stakeholders from both the public and private sectors had been consulted to obtain feedback on the proposed standards and their implementation. The development process is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with implementation scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027. Mr. Maamba noted that in 2025, 41 new compulsory standards were introduced through Statutory Instrument No. 20 of 2025, increasing the number of products covered by compulsory standards by 67 percent. The Agency currently regulates 102 imported and locally manufactured products to promote public health and safety, consumer protection and environmental sustainability.