The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized and withdrawn from the market more than 1000 cases of non-compliant packaged water in Lusaka valued at more than K84, 000.
This follows the Agency’s intensified open market surveillance inspections conducted in Lusaka from March 13 – 15, 2024 in a bid to curtail the illegal sale of products covered by compulsory standards.
Some affected suppliers and manufacturers have since started the process of regularizing the licensing of the products in line with the requirements of the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
The products were seized in Emmasdale, Industrial Area, Chipata, Kanyama, Chawama, Town Centre, Kamwala South, 10 Miles, Ngwerere, Obama and Waterfalls Townships.
This enforcement activity in Lusaka was aimed at ensuring that only safe products are supplied to consumers as unlicensed products have the potential of posing a risk to the safety of consumers.
The Agency inspects both imported and locally produced packaged water to ensure compliance with the Zambian Standard ZS 388: Bottled Drinking Water – Specification.
The packaged water is tested by competent laboratories for compliance to requirements stipulated in the compulsory standard.
Products covered by compulsory standards, including Bottled Water, are only allowed on the market once they comply with the regulatory requirements.
No one is legally allowed to supply any product covered by a compulsory standard without the authority of the Agency.
Further, the Agency regularly conducts post market surveillance to ensure continued post market compliance.
ZCSA is urging manufacturers to package bottled water in compliance with the compulsory Zambian Standard for Bottled Water ZS 388: Bottled Drinking Water – Specification.
Manufacturers must also obtain authority from the Agency before supplying products covered by compulsory standards on the market to safeguard the safety of consumers. Going forward, the Agency will intensify enforcement activities on all regulated products to safeguard the safety of consumers.
Currently, ZCSA regulates 61 imported and locally manufactured products falling within the scope of Compulsory Standards covering food products, Beverages, Chemicals, Fertilizers, Cement and Household Electrical appliances, among others.
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency is a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry established by the Compulsory Standards Act No.3 of 2017 to administer, maintain and ensure compliance with compulsory standards for the purpose of public safety, health, consumer and environmental protection.
This is contained in a statement issued by Brian Hatyoka| Head of Communications Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency.
