SAZ concerned over influx of substandard goods

some consumers.
“The liberation of Zimbabwe’s economy to multi-currency has brought about a proliferation of cheap and substandard goods into the country.
“The SAZ has been inundated with complaints regarding these products which are often priced at enticingly low prices affecting local industry growth,” she said.
Miss Kabande said her organisation was perturbed by this unscrupulous behaviour and they were trying to come up with ways and means to help locals.
“As the national standards body, SAZ has a duty to contribute to the improvement of the quality and competitiveness of Zimbabwean products and safeguard the health and safety of the communities.
“There is need for local authorities to put regulatory measures that protect both local industries and consumers.”
She said the issue of cheap imported goods could massively result in the slow growth of the country’s economy which was delicate at the moment.
“We want our economy to grow fast and this can be achieved by supporting local industries to grow by making sure that they produce products that can be consumed by local people.”
She, however, said SAZ was a voluntary organisation.
“The association is not a regulatory body. Nevertheless, certain standards are referred to in legislation and where this is the case, these standards become mandatory but the regulatory aspect remains the responsibility of the relevant Government department or ministry and not the SAZ.”
Miss Kabande said it was evident that SAZ was not mandated to withdraw from the market substandard products which have not been tested or certified.
“The SAZ’s Product Mark Certification Scheme makes it possible for Zimbabwean goods produced under an approved system of supervision and control to be licensed as complying with the appropriate standard and to bear the SAZ’s certification mark.
“Should customers buy such products, the quality is guaranteed and consequently, our responsibility lies solely on companies with products that carry our mark,” she said.