3 regulatory bodies sign MoU
By Ndinawe Simpelwe
Thu 20 Oct. 2011, 07:50 CAT
THREE regulators have signed a memorandum of understanding to harmonise standard developments and competition in the country. The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority
(ZICTA), Consumer and Competition Protection Commission
(CCPC) and the Zambia Bureau of Standards
(ZABS) signed the MoU in Lusaka on Tuesday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ZICTA director general Margaret Chalwe said the MoUs would coordinate and harmonise matters relating to competition in different sectors of the economy.
Chalwe said the MoU between ZICTA and the CCPC would pave way for the creation of a joint working committee that would be acting on the referral of complaints in relation to ICT products and services as well as investigating matters relating to competition enforcement.
"The two regulatory bodies have seen it fit to have in place an
established manner in which they can interact in respect of
investigations on restrictive business practices, abuse of dominant
position of market power and due diligence on mergers and acquisition
transactions taking place in the ICT sector," Chalwe said.
On the MoU with ZABS, Chalwe said it would ensure that the two
institutions avoid regulatory overlaps and duplication of effort.
She said ZICTA would use gazetted mandatory standards to approve
products to be placed on the Zambian market.
"The standards developed should not introduce technical barriers to
trade but must take into account Zambia's trade commitments to
regional and international trade organisations such as SADC, COMESA
and WTO," said Chalwe.
ZABS standards development manager Margaret Lungu said the MoUs would
strengthen the relationships of the three organisations and clarify
the roles of their standards developments.
Lungu said all the products that would be sold on the market would
have to conform to the standards that would be set.
And CCPC executive director Chilufya Sampa said the institutions were
signing the MoU anchored on three key reasons.
Sampa said the MoU would coordinate regulation without frustrating
business through duplication of enforcement, ensure competence and
success and to share resources and expertise.
"The growth of the telecommunications sector has indeed contributed
significantly to the economic growth of the country through the
various investments undertaken and also led to more consumer choice
for mobile products. However, the growth has also led to competition
which may at times lead to conduct that requires regulating," said
Sampa.
Labels: REGULATION, ZABS, ZICTA
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ZABS appoints Japanese agency for vehicles inspection
Written by Kabanda Chulu
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 4:54:07 PM
ZAMBIA Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has appointed a Japanese agency to carry out mandatory roadworthiness inspection on all imported used motor vehicles effective May 14, 2009.
The inspection, which is aimed at minimising the risk of unsafe and sub-standard vehicles that enter the Zambian market, would attract a fee of K756,342.
Announcing the development in Lusaka, ZABS director Mataa Mukelebai said all imported used motor vehicles would have to meet mandatory requirements of the Zambian standard ZS 560 for roadworthiness.
He explained that in December 2006, the Zambian standard ZS 560 for road vehicles-inspection and testing of used motor vehicles for roadworthiness was declared compulsory.
“To this effect, it is a requirement that all imported used motor vehicles meet the requirements of this standard and ZABS has appointed the Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre as its agency to carry out pre-shipment inspections for road worthiness inspection of all used motor vehicles from Japan, United Kingdom, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and South Africa destined for Zambia,î Mukelebai said. “This inspection has been initiated to minimize the risk of unsafe and substandard vehicles entering the Zambian market, thus ensuring public health and safety and environmental protection in Zambia, so all exporters, importers and other stakeholders of used motor vehicles must meet the requirements of this important safety pre-export inspection."
Labels: JAPAN, MATAA MUKELEBAI, ROADS, ZABS
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Fake imported goods worry Chilipamushi
Written by Fridah Zinyama
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 7:05:48 AM
COMMERCE permanent secretary Davison Chilipamushi has expressed concern over continued imports of counterfeit products into the country. During the commemoration of the World Standard’s Day hosted by the Zambia Bureau of Standard (ZABS) titled ‘Intelligent and Sustainable Buildings’ in Lusaka on Friday, Chilipamushi said something needed to be done about the importation of counterfeit products as they were not only expensive but also posed a serious threat to people’s health.
“It is a concern for us that counterfeit products have also continued to pass through our borders to other countries,” he said. “There is need for ZABS to improve its ability to detect counterfeit products that are being imported into the country.”
Chilipamushi said it should be the job of all stakeholders to ensure that consumers are protected from counterfeit products which can pose serious threats to people’s health.
And Minister of Works and Supply Kapembwa Simbao said there was need for all stakeholders involved in the construction sector to adhere to standards for Zambia to have quality buildings.
“Zambia’s construction sector has continued to grow due to the increase in the country’s economic activities,” he said. “And the improvement and growth of the sector brings with it consequences that stakeholders have to consider socially, economically and environmentally.”
Simbao said it was very important for the players in the construction sector to adhere to both the international and local standards of construction.
“It is a common sight in compounds to see buildings that have not adhered to the set standards of construction and such structures not only pose a threat to the people as they can collapse but are also an ugly part of this country’s building infrastructure which stakeholders are trying to improve,” he said.
Simbao said all stakeholders such as manufacturers of building materials and constructors need to adhere to standards and specifications of the construction sector.
Labels: DAVIDSON CHILIPAMUSHI, ZABS
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Bore calls for certification of all bottled water
By Oliver Sinyangwe
Sunday February 10, 2008 [05:00]
NATURAL Valley Limited marketing director Paul Bore has observed that non-compliance to standard policy in the water bottling industry is putting people’s health at risk. In an interview, Bore said of over 40 companies operating in the industry, only a few had a mark to show certification by the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS).
“The water bottling industry like any other is regulated by ZABS, and to certify that a particular company meets the prescribed standards, it should have a mark of ZC 388. However, of the over 40 bottling companies, very few have got this mark, meaning they are not certified by ZABS as having met prescribed standards,” he said.
Bore said it was important for ZABS to carry out on site inspections of bottling companies to ascertain suitability and hygienic standards.
“The advantage is that ZABS ensures that the stringent processes involved to produce quality mineral water are complied to, but as the situation is how safe is the health of consumers?” Bore wondered.
“Some companies are lying that they are producing mineral water when in fact it’s just tap water from the council. that is why some of it is very cheap because the investment is cheap and of poor standard.”
He said the sub-standard bottling companies were creating an uneven playing field because they were releasing cheaper products onto the market.
“If you go around checking the prices of the so-called ‘mineral water’ without ZABS certification, you find that they are extremely cheap because they have invested nothing and don’t meet prescribed standards,” said Bore.
When reached for a comment, ZABS public relations officer, Dingase Makumba said her institution was only mandated to set the standards.
Labels: BOTTLED WATER, ZABS
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