The Zambia Compulsory Standard Agency (ZCSA) has disclosed that 10 more products have been added to the other 50 that it has been regulating for safety, health and environmental protection.
ZCSA public relations manager, Lee Haamunji, confirmed that the number of products falling under the compulsory category is now 60.
” This means that ZCSA will now regulate 60 compulsory products to ensure that they are essentially safe for consumption, they do not pose health hazards to consumers and thirdly to protect the environment,” said Mr. Haamunji.
He disclosed that the included compulsory products are Petroleum Jelly, Pure Glycerin, portable drinking water, crude edible vegetable oils, White Sugar, blended fertilizers, pressed steel door frames and aviation turbine fuels, among others.
“Additionally, ZCSA regulates products such as animal feeds, cooking oil, bottled mineral water, lead acid batteries, toilet soap, condoms, opaque beer, clear beer and peanut butter among others,” he said.
The ZCSA spokesperson further added that his agency would work in collaboration with other regulators through inspections and market surveillances to monitor and ensure that there is enhanced compliance among players.
“ZCSA expects the players in the market to adhere to the compulsory specifications which are technical regulations and require conformity of a product or service to health, safety or environmental protection requirements of a standard or specific provisions of a standard,” said Mr. Haamunji.
He appealed to various stakeholders to work with the agency in issues of safety and health protection of consumers.