SAZ steps up efforts for quality test on all products

SAZ steps up efforts for quality test on all products
Published: 15 July 2014
The Standards Association of Zimbabwe will soon compile a draft report on findings from stakeholder consultations that will guide crafting of legislation requiring compulsory testing of all products for quality.

The initiative comes at a time when Zimbabwe has become almost a net importer of goods because industry has been operating well below par due to lack of capital.

SAZ executive director Ms Eve Gadzikwa said in an interview early this week that three meetings have so far been held with various stakeholders with the findings set to be put together for presentation to Government.

"The process is moving well. We have had three meetings so far with various stakeholders, including regulators.

"We had a meeting with Ministry of Industry and Commerce and we facilitated other meetings ourselves, one of which was chaired by the ministry itself," she said.

"It is work in progress, the issues raised (during the stakeholder consultations) are going to be put into a draft report that is going to be produced soon," she added.

The SAZ director said since Zimbabwe relied heavily on products made in other jurisdictions there was need for a regulatory and co-ordinated approach to monitoring the quality of all products sold in the country.

"That is what the Bill will address," Mrs Gadzikwa said.

"We are moving to align ourselves with World Trade Organisation requirements.

"Zimbabwe is receiving quite a number of goods from outside, the issue of consumer protection becomes of paramount importance."

SAZ has this year tried to expedite crafting of the legislation to compel the compulsory testing of products for quality, which must meet minimum standards, to curtail the influx of counterfeit products on the market.

This follows reports that fake and sub-standard products had flooded the market, putting consumers at risk. The products evade scrutiny by local port authorities.

Products to be subjected to mandatory testing, once the legislation is in place, include vehicles, spares, medicines, electrical gadgets and personal hygiene products, which are being imported in largely numbers.
- The Herald
Tags: SAZ,

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