Zambia standards agency warns of punitive measures on importers of used undergarments

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has warned of punitive measures against all importers who are illegally importing unsafe products, especially used undergarments.

ZCSA Head of Communications, Brian Hatyoka, said the agency had noted with concern the continued illegal importation of used undergarments in the country by some importers.

Hatyoka said this in a statement made available to Zambia Monitor in Kitwe after the agency conducted a road show on its operations.

“This is contrary to the provisions of the Compulsory standard for used textile products – Zambian Standard (ZS) 559: Inspection and Acceptance Criteria for Used Textile Products,” he said.

Hatyoka said ZS 559 prohibits the importation and sale of used textile products containing undergarments such as pyjamas, night gowns, pants, brassieres, camisoles and vests, among others.

He added that recent enforcement activities conducted by ZCSA revealed that used undergarments were being sold to unsuspecting members of the public in markets and other trading places.

“ZCSA will continue withdrawing from the market all used undergarments and other unauthorized products which are within the scope of compulsory standards to protect the consumers,” Hatyoka said.

He said traders who sell used undergarments would not be compensated once their products had been seized by the agency.

Hatyoka said as part of its education mandate, ZCSA was discouraging consumers from buying used undergarments as sharing of underclothing is unsafe from the health perspective.

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