Standards agency says unsafe goods worth K520,000 destroyed in nationwide crackdown

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) says it has destroyed non-compliant products worth K520,357 that were seized during enforcement operations conducted across all four quarters of 2025.

ZCSA Manager for Communications and Public Relations, Brian Hatyoka, said the destruction exercise, carried out in Lusaka on Wednesday, was conducted in line with the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, which empowers the Agency to dispose of products that fail to meet compulsory standards to protect consumers and the environment.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, the confiscated items included expired, banned, unregistered, substandard and poorly packaged products, as well as goods illegally placed on the market and posing risks to public health and safety.

He said products destroyed included shoe polish, male latex condoms, clear beer, fruit-flavoured drinks, potable spirits, crude vegetable oil, peanut butter, biscuits, packaged drinking water and used underwear.

Hatyoka stated that ZCSA seized the products during routine inspections in Rufunsa, Kamwala, Makeni, Chaisa, Chinika industrial area, Soweto and PHI after they failed to meet minimum requirements for sale on the Zambian market.

He warned that the Agency would continue to take firm action against traders supplying unsafe goods.

“We want to assure the public that ZCSA will continue to act firmly against any entity that places non-compliant products on the market. Such products pose a serious risk to public health and safety, and we must protect consumers,” Hatyoka said.

He reminded producers and importers of their legal obligations to obtain ZCSA approval before supplying products falling under compulsory standards and urged manufacturers to ensure full compliance to prevent injuries, health risks and environmental harm.

Hatyoka added that the Agency will continue strengthening enforcement and public awareness efforts to ensure only safe products reach consumers.

“We encourage members of the public to report any suspicious products to ZCSA offices across the country so that we can act swiftly,” he said.

With the festive season approaching, ZCSA also advised consumers to remain vigilant and purchase goods only from trusted sources.

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