By Cecilia Chiluba 
Zambia is experiencing a persistent challenge regarding the importation, sale and consumption of substandard electrical products on the market.
This is despite efforts by the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) to get rid of non-compliant products through its enforcement actions.
These items often have defective parts or lack important safety features, leading to serious dangers like electrical fires and shocks.
There are three compulsory standards that cover electrical products and they include Zambian Standard (ZS) 588 13A plugs, sockets, adaptors and connection unit, ZS 106 Safety of household and similar electrical appliances, as well as ZS 688 Electric cables with extruded solid dielectric insulation for fixed installations.
The ZCSA has carried out a number of inspections and taken thousands of non-compliant products off the shelves.
For example, in the first half of 2025, the Agency removed from the market, non-compliant electrical products valued at K664,794.5.
Through its routine inspections, ZCSA has found problems with items such as plugs, sockets, adaptors, and extension cords, while some of these products have false labels or do not include necessary safety features like fuses or proper grounding connections.
However the Agency has observed some improvements in compliance among trading outlets for electrical products covered under the scope of compulsory standards.
Compliance spot checks done by the Agency show a notable decline in non-compliant items, as many outlets liaised with their foreign suppliers to meet product requirements.
In response to a press query sent by Money News, Agency Manager-Communications and Public Relations Brian Hatyoka noted that this follows the stakeholder engagement meeting ZCSA held with suppliers of electrical products in Lusaka on 10th March, 2025, the two-month amnesty period, and subsequent enforcement actions.
“This progress is driven by increased public awareness and the impact of enforcement actions such as withdrawals and disposals.”
“Nonetheless, cases of non-compliance remain, highlighting the need for ongoing compliance spot checks, market surveillance, and awareness efforts,” Mr. Hatyoka added.
Mr.Hatyoka pledged the Agency’s commitment towards continued stakeholder engagements, public education and enforcement activities in a bid to achieve total compliance of electrical products and other regulated products covered by compulsory standards.
“The Agency is committed to ensuring that products which are supplied on the market are safe, credible, of good quality and competitive in the local, regional and international markets,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) Executive Secretary Juba Sakala, commended ZCSA for making effort in ensuring that the market is not flooded with substandard electrical products.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Sakala encouraged the Agency to continue raising public awareness on the dangers of sub-standard electrical products as these items are still available on the market, raising safety concerns among consumers.
“ZCSA should continue with the random inspections that they have been doing to confiscate the non-compliant electrical items and also carry on with the sensitization to the manufacturers and importers of these products because those are the culprits, the consumer is just on the receiving end.”
“If those people are sensitized and monitored, then we are going to have less sub-standard products on the market and if we have more original products on the market than sub-standard ones, even those who import them will be discouraged because people will be refusing to buy non-compliant ones in preference for quality products,” Mr. Sakala stated.
On the other hand, one of the consumers, Mwila Nsofwa encouraged his fellow consumers, to buy electrical products from trusted retailers and ensure that they inspect the plugs and wiring, emphasizing that their safety and that of their household depends on choosing proper electrical appliances.
“Buying sub-standard electrical appliances can be very dangerous because they can over heat and at times cause electric shocks which start fires in some situations that we have witnessed.”
“These products are usually cheap because they lack proper insulation and safety features are not usually in place,” Mr. Nsofwa said.
ZCSA is actively working to raise awareness among consumers and stakeholders about the risks associated with substandard electrical products and the importance of compliance.
The Agency is encouraged to strengthen enforcement actions, including penalties for non-compliant manufacturers and importers, to deter others from violating the compulsory standards.
By doing so, Zambia can reduce the prevalence of substandard electrical products and ensure a safer market for consumers.
ZCSA regulates electrical products to ensure public safety. This is done by ensuring that these products meet safety standards to prevent electric shocks, damages to property, personal injury or fires.
Currently, ZCSA regulates 61 imported and locally manufactured products covered by compulsory standards covering food products, beverages, chemicals, household electrical items and similar appliances, engineering products, cement, fertilizers, fuel, oils, used motor vehicles and used textile products, among others.
Government, through the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, has issued a Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 20 of 2025 to declare 41 additional Zambian standards as compulsory standards.
The new compulsory standards cover a broad range of products, including solar, food, packaging materials, Carbon Steel Bars, fish and fish products, energy drinks, milk and milk products, fresh fruits and vegetables, tomato products, and table wines, among others.
The 41 newly declared compulsory standards, which will come into effect on 1st October 2025, will significantly enhance ZCSA’s ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as the environment.
News Desk 
Lucky Chama