The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has today destroyed non-compliant electrical products comprising electrical plugs and extension cables in Lusaka valued at K47, 408.50.
ZCSA Public Relations Officer, Onishias Maamba says that the non-compliant products had the potential to cause personal injury, electric shock and damage to property through fire and this is due to the low standard of materials used in their manufacture and absence of earthing.
In a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Maamba said that the items were seized between November 11-14, 2024, from Fidelity Store, Naeela Investment, Penz Zhang Investment, Tanzim, Golden Oaklet and Bhadi Investment in Lusaka during the recently conducted National Open Market Surveillance (OMS) inspection for contravening relevant Compulsory Standards and the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
“An assessment of the seized products conducted by the Agency revealed significant deviations from the required safety standards, thereby posing serious risks to consumers,” said Mr. Maamba.
He also said that of particular concern is the use of non-compliant material such as steel or alloys of steel instead of brass for plug pins and current carrying parts which poses significant risks due to the material properties, thereby compromising the safety, performance and durability of the plugs and extension cables.
Mr. Maamba added that poor insulation quality and the absence of proper earthing further underscore the critical safety failures in these products and ZCSA warns of stern action against entities and traders illegally supplying non-compliant products on the Zambian market and this is because such products pose a risk to public health and safety.
He further emphasized that the Agency will continue conducting enforcement and public education activities in a bid to ensure that only safe products are allowed on the market and consumers are urged to be vigilant and report suspicious products to the nearest ZCSA office at major border entry points, in provincial centers or the Head Office in Lusaka so that enforcement actions are undertaken.
By Elizabeth Mutale
