This week, the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) destroyed non-compliant electrical appliances and fruit-flavored drinks in Lusaka. The seized goods were worth K163,984.
On November 7, 2024, ZCSA seized assorted adaptor extension cables and water heating elements from Express Mart on Nangwenya Road. These products, valued at K152,464, violated standards ZS 558 and ZS 106 and the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
The products were found to have multiple issues. Many electrical appliances had incompatible top plugs, poor insulation, and mismatched amperage ratings. These flaws pose serious risks, including electric shocks, fires, and personal injury.
ZCSA also confiscated 80 cases of fruit-flavored drinks from Kamwala outlets on May 11, 2024. The drinks, branded as Kings Cade and Paris, violated compulsory standard ZS 554 and were illegally supplied. The products, worth K11,520, failed to meet health and safety regulations outlined in sections 15 and 21 of the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
ZCSA has issued a warning to traders and businesses against selling non-compliant products. Such goods threaten public health and safety. The Agency will continue enforcement and public education efforts to ensure that only safe products are available on the market.
Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious products to ZCSA offices at major border points or provincial centers. ZCSA will take action to remove unsafe items from circulation.
The Agency regulates the manufacture, import, and sale of electrical products according to the following standards:
- ZS 106: Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances
- ZS 558: Plugs and Socket Outlets, Adaptors, and Connection Units
- ZS 688: Electric Cables for Fixed Installations (300/500 to 1900/3300 Volts)
ZCSA, under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, enforces these standards to protect public safety, health, and the environment.
