Standards body reports rise in market compliance to 93.4% in 2024, notes 0.8 decline among manufacturers

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has reported an increase in market compliance, with standards rising from 92.8 percent in 2023 to 93.4 percent in 2024, according to findings from the National Open Market Surveillance (OMS).

The 2024 OMS, conducted across nine provinces, covered 35 districts and 93 localities, inspecting 40 of the 61 products regulated by ZCSA.

ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga described the 0.6 percent increase as a significant improvement in adherence to compulsory standards.

“The trading outlets showed the most notable progress, with a 2.1 percent increase in compliance, reflecting improved standards in retail environments,” he said during a media briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday.

However, the report highlighted a 0.8 percent decline in compliance among manufacturers, signaling a need for targeted enforcement and follow-up.

Products such as adaptors, sockets, and extension cables were flagged as highly non-compliant, posing risks such as electric shock, fire, and property damage.

“These unsafe products have been seized and withdrawn from the market for public safety,” Chizinga stated, adding that the value of non-compliant products was estimated at K818,039.19.

The surveillance also found a decrease in the prevalence of banned items such as filament bulbs and used undergarments, although isolated cases of their sale persist.

Chizinga noted that many consumers lacked sufficient awareness of product safety, emphasizing the need for enhanced public education. “Raising consumer consciousness about product safety is vital for promoting consumer protection,” he said.

The agency has pledged to intensify enforcement efforts and roll out public education campaigns to address gaps in compliance and safeguard consumers.

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