ZCSA and CEHF Partner to Protect Public Health

Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) says it is ready to work with the Children Environmental Health Foundation (CEHF) and other stakeholders to examine, refine and enhance regulations aimed at protecting the health of citizens and the environment.

Speaking in Lusaka during a consultative meeting with scientists, public health experts and academicians on the prevention of lead poisoning in paint, Agency Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, said protecting consumers and the environment from unsafe products requires concerted efforts from different stakeholders.

Mr. Chizinga reiterated that the Agency currently regulates 61 products which are covered by compulsory standards, including High Gloss Synthetic Enamel Paint (ZS 295) and Emulsion Paints for Interior and External use – specification (ZS 201).

He said the lead safe paint standard sets the maximum allowable, total lead content of a paint at 90 parts per million dry weight, adding that this is the standard used in mandatory regulation in many countries, and it is the strictest standard in the world.

“It is my hope that delegates will use today’s meeting to determine whether or not the current compulsory standards for paints are adequate to protect the consumer and the environment.”

“ZCSA is ready to receive your recommendations on which other standards need to be declared compulsory to enhance consumer and environmental protection. We enforce all standards once declared mandatory in a bid to safeguard the consumer and the environment,” Mr. Chizinga stated.

Speaking at the same event, Children Environmental Health Foundation Executive Director, Michael Musenga urged citizens to be concerned on the presence of lead in paint as it has particles that are capable of contaminating the environment.

Mr. Musenga noted that children are more vulnerable to Lead poisoning in terms of having long lasting effects in their lives.

The meeting, which was hosted by CEHF and also attended by ZCSA officials led by the Agency’s Quality Assurance Manager, Francis Mwelwa, was part of the ongoing International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW).

In 2024, ILPPW celebrates 12 years of concerted action to eliminate lead in paint. The aims of ILPPW are to: raise awareness about the health effects of lead exposure; highlight the efforts of countries and partners to prevent lead exposure, particularly in children; and urge the completion of action to eliminate lead paint through regulatory action at country level.