• Government is working hard to revamp the economy.
• The ZCSA Board must support the industry and businesses to thrive.
• Ensure entities repent from ills and get to a point where they support economic growth.

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry has urged the newly appointed Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) Board not to chock businesses and industry in the country but supplement Government efforts in revamping the economy.
Speaking at his office when ZCSA Board members paid a courtesy call on him, Chipoka Mulenga said government is working hard to revamp the economy, therefore the ZCSA Board must support the industry and businesses to thrive.
Mr. Mulenga stated that Board members should not use their positions to punish and scold the business community but ensure that operators feel and appreciate their positive influence.
“You must support the businesses to thrive and not to choke them. As you interact with companies and business owners, ensure entities repent from ills and get to a point where they support economic growth.”
“As you regulate the industry, do not stop erring entities from performing but tell them to do the right things. In an event you find a company that is producing many products and one product is found wanting, don’t shut them down. Isolate the defective product and let the business continue,” Mr. Mulenga stated.
He further challenged board members to get best practices from other similar regulating agencies for compulsory standards beyond Zambia.
Mr. Mulenga said the Board should act differently and do something unique that will raise their profiles by the end of this year.
Speaking at the same event, ZCSA Board Chairperson Ian Mupeta assured that the Board is hitting the ground running in a quest to deliver its mandate.
“We are hitting the ground running. From here, we will get a briefing from ZCSA Management. We take our assignment seriously. Our appointment to the Board shows the confidence you have in us. We are very thankful. We will serve to the best of our abilities,” Mr. Mupeta said.
ZCSA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI), commenced operations on January 1, 2018.
The Agency was established by the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, to administer, maintain and enforce compulsory standards for the purpose of public safety, health, consumer and environmental protection.