By Angela Moonga
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has confiscated male condoms, shoe polish, clear beer, fruit flavoured drinks, potable spirits, crude vegetable oil, peanut butter, biscuits, packaged drinking water and used underwear, among others for not complying with standards.
In a press statement issued by ZCSA communications and public relations manager Brian Hatyoka, the products K520,357.00 worth of goods were confiscated and destroyed in Lusaka, during the enforcement activities in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2025.
Hatyoka stated that some products were expired, banned, unregistered, substandard and poorly packaged, while others were illegally supplies on the market thereby posing risks to public safety and health.
He stated that the goods were destroyed in line with the provisions of the compulsory standards Act No. 3 of 2017, which provided for among other measures, destruction of non-compliant products to protect consumers and the environment.
“The products 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, among others,” Hatyoka stated. “ZCSA seized the products during routine enforcement activities in Rufunsa, Kamwala trading area, Makeni, Chaisa, Chinika industrial area, Soweto and PHI area, for not meeting the minimum requirements for them to be supplied on the Zambian market.”
He stated that it was a legal requirement for any producer or importer of products covered by compulsory standards to get approval from ZCSA before the products are supplied on the market. Hatyoka stated that manufactures must ensure that they met requirements of the prescribed compulsory standards relating to their products before such products were introduced on the market to prevent the risk of injury or harm to consumers or the environment.
He urged consumers to report suspicious products to the nearest ZCSA office either at major border entry points or in provincial centers or the Head office in Lusaka so that enforcement actions are undertaken.
“As citizens celebrate the festive season, ZCSA strongly advises consumers to be vigilant and only buy products from trusted sources,” stated Hatyoka.
