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Zambia’s National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) have agreed to collaborate in prosecuting suppliers of substandard goods, in a move aimed at strengthening consumer protection and enforcement of standards.
The two institutions plan to formalise the arrangement through an agreement to be signed later this year, according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri, said stronger enforcement, including prosecutions and forfeiture of goods, was needed to deter offenders.
“How do you explain a situation where some people sell diesel which is mixed with water? You can’t manufacture or supply substandard products and go unpunished,” he said, adding that prosecution should be used to address the problem.
Phiri said the NPA was ready to work with ZCSA and supported plans to train prosecutors in handling cases related to compulsory standards.
ZCSA Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, said non-compliant products remained on the market, posing risks to public health, safety and the economy.
“Our enforcement work can only succeed if it is supplemented by prosecution,” he said, citing the need for stronger implementation of the Compulsory Standards Act.
ZCSA Board Secretary and Director for Legal and Compliance, Tafuna Phiri, said the agency plans to train prosecutors to improve case handling.
NPA Chief State Advocate, Nkumbiza Thelma Mumba, said stricter penalties were needed to deter offenders, noting that past cases handled by the authority involved substandard footwear and alcoholic beverages.
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