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The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and Zimbabwe’s Department of Quality Assurance and Trade Measures have pledged to deepen institutional collaboration to enhance trade and protect consumers in both countries.
ZCSA Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, called for stronger partnerships to help producers and traders comply with mandatory standards, thereby improving market access and ensuring product safety.
He made the remarks in Lusaka on Tuesday during a benchmarking visit by a delegation from Zimbabwe’s Department of Quality Assurance and Trade Measures to the ZCSA Head Office.
The mission aims to observe Zambia’s implementation of compulsory standards under the Compulsory Standards Act.
“Zambia and Zimbabwe are sister nations, and our ties must be reflected in institutional cooperation. Working together will not only enhance product safety but also facilitate intra-Africa trade,” Chizinga said.
He stressed that collaboration between national standards bodies is key to promoting trade and safeguarding citizens through effective enforcement of product safety regulations.
Chizinga also noted that the visit offered a valuable opportunity to share experiences and best practices.
Riyana Chibanda, who led the Zimbabwean delegation, highlighted the importance of enforcing mandatory standards to shield consumers from substandard products.
She said Zimbabwe continues to face challenges related to the influx of inferior goods, which threaten the competitiveness of local industries.
“We believe that sharing best practices with ZCSA will help address some of these challenges and strengthen our enforcement mechanisms,” Chibanda said.
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