Govt challenges SAZ to offer pre-shipment inspection

Oliver Kazunga

Senior Business Reporter

INDUSTRY and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu has challenged the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) to offer pre-shipment inspections to products imported into the country.

SAZ is one of the entities in Zimbabwe that have been licensed to conduct assessment for conformity to national and global standards, but at present, the standards body only carries out destination inspection.

In his remarks during a tour of SAZ laboratory facilities in Harare yesterday, Ndhlovu said: “I am pleased that the Standards Association of Zimbabwe is one of the Consignment Based Conformity Assessment Service (CBCA) providers which carries out destination inspection.

“The facilities that I have witnessed today bear testament to the fact that you are well-equipped for this role.

“I am encouraging SAZ to expand and consider pre-shipment inspection as part of its future plans. My ministry is committed to support SAZ in capacity improvement in this regard.”

In 2015, the Government launched the CBCA programme where imported goods into Zimbabwe are checked for quality before and after entering the country to curb the dumping of substandard products into the domestic market.

“If allowed to enter into the country, substandard products have the potential to cause danger to the health of unsuspecting consumers.

“I am also delighted to mention that the Principles of the Standards Bill, were recently approved by Cabinet and my ministry is working with relevant Government departments and stakeholders to have the Standards Bill in place,” said Ndhlovu.