The Zambia Metrology Agency – ZMA has in the first half of 2019 inspected a total number of 2,057 instruments out of which only 1,167 instruments were found to be compliance representing a compliance rate of 64.31%. The Agency further disclosed that a total of 15,636 weighing and measuring instruments representing 81.5 % achievement against the year to date target of 19,181 instruments.
Speaking at a media briefing on July 30, 2019 in Lusaka attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, ZMA Executive Director Himba Cheelo explained that the negative variance is attributed to some of its major clients submitting their instruments late for verification.
She said the major cause for non- compliance was due to non-submission of instruments for verification and the use of unapproved weighing and measuring instruments. She further disclosed that during the inspection period an unnamed company was fined with K60,000 for tempering of verification marks on a fuel tanker.
“During these inspections, the Agency noted that non- compliant products failed mainly on net content and labelling requirements. Most of the non-compliant products which included bread, mealie meal, cooking oil, were seized and disposed of through the courts of law and we continued to educate the manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and importers on the regulatory requirements for prepackaged commodities trade,” She said.
Meanwhile, Eng. Cheelo further revealed that the launch of the Standardized MEDA has received massive commendation from stakeholders across the country and that the project will soon be rolled out to four other towns namely Ndola, Kasama, Petauke, and Livingstone.
The dry measurement capacity project popularly referred to as the MEDA was launched on 20th May 2019 by the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma. She said the project will culminate into the use of accurate measurements which will lead to fair trade, SME growth and economic development.
The Agency has however pledged its commitment to ensuring that it provides the best metrology services in the country adding that it will continue to safeguard the rights of businesses and consumers throughout the promotion of fair trade and protection against fraudulent activities where measurements apply.
