Zambia urges solar importers to comply with standards to ensure product safety

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has urged importers and suppliers of solar products to comply with compulsory standards to ensure only safe solar energy equipment was imported, supplied and installed in the country.

ZCSA Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, said compliance would protect consumers from hazardous products, promote sustainable energy solutions, build confidence in the renewable energy sector, and support national energy goals.

Chizinga said this during the official opening of a stakeholder engagement meeting for importers and suppliers of solar products held at Asmara Hotel in Lusaka on Thursday.

The meeting was held under the theme: “Enhancing Compliance and Safety of Solar Products through Standards and Conformity Assessment.”

“This theme is not only timely but also critical, as Zambia continues to embrace renewable energy solutions to meet the growing demand for energy,” Chizinga said.

He said the engagement marked a key step toward ensuring that solar products on the market were safe, reliable and compliant with established compulsory standards.

Chizinga said that on May 9, 2025, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga issued Statutory Instrument No. 20 of 2025, declaring an additional 41 standards as compulsory, including those covering solar products.

“Some of the new compulsory standards include solar products, as follows: ZS 403: Specification for Batteries for Use in Photovoltaic Systems; ZS 404: Specification for Charge Controllers for Photovoltaic Systems Using Lead-Acid Batteries; ZS 405: Photovoltaic System Design and Installation – Code of Practice for Off-Grid Systems; ZS 407: Specification for Lighting Devices for Use in Photovoltaic Systems,” he said.

Chizinga noted that solar energy had become a lifeline for many households, businesses and institutions, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.

However, he said the rapid increase in solar products on the market had also introduced safety risks that could undermine consumer confidence and hinder sustainable energy access.

“As ZCSA, we are committed to ensuring that solar energy products available on the Zambian market meet compulsory standards that safeguard the health and safety of consumers and protect the environment,” Chizinga said.

He said compulsory standards formed the backbone of quality assurance by setting benchmarks for performance, durability and safety.

Chizinga said the engagement marked the beginning of a stronger partnership between ZCSA and the solar industry aimed at ensuring compliance, safety and innovation in the sector.

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