Online Reporter
Zimpapers Business Hub
The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) says it has intensified efforts to curb the influx and circulation of counterfeit and substandard products, with a renewed focus on border controls and the informal sector.
SAZ Director-General Mr Cosmus Mukoyi said this during a panel discussion at the Zimpapers Public Lecture Series that is currently underway at the Harare Institute of Technology.
He said counterfeit goods continue to pose a serious threat to consumer safety, fair trade and industrial development, necessitating a coordinated and sustained response.
“Counterfeits are no longer confined to isolated markets; they are entering the country through borders and spreading rapidly through informal trading channels. As SAZ, we are strengthening our presence at points of entry to ensure that products entering Zimbabwe comply with national standards,” he said.
Mr Mukoyi said SAZ is working closely with border agencies, including customs and other regulatory authorities, to improve inspection processes and product verification at major ports of entry.
“Our officers conduct conformity assessments and product inspections at borders, targeting high-risk goods such as electrical products, foodstuffs and construction materials,” he said.
He added, “The objective is to stop substandard and counterfeit products before they reach consumers.”
Mr Mukoyi acknowledged that the informal sector presents unique challenges due to its size, mobility and limited regulation, but said SAZ is adapting to address the realities on the ground.
“The informal sector is a critical part of our economy, but it has also become a major channel for counterfeit goods,” he said. “We are increasing market surveillance and engaging traders to raise awareness about the importance of selling compliant products.”
He said SAZ is prioritising education and engagement alongside enforcement, noting that some informal traders deal with counterfeit goods due to a lack of information.
“Compliance improves when people understand the risks,” Mr Mukoyi said. “We are educating traders and consumers on how to identify certified products and the dangers associated with substandard goods.”
He also highlighted SAZ’s use of certification marks and standards labelling as tools to help consumers distinguish genuine products from counterfeits.
“The SAZ mark is a symbol of quality and safety. Consumers must look for it and demand compliant products, because consumer vigilance is a powerful deterrent against counterfeiting,” he said.
Mr Mukoyi said SAZ is also strengthening collaboration with manufacturers and industry associations to improve traceability and reporting of counterfeit goods.
“When industry players report suspicious products, it allows regulators to act faster and more effectively,” he said.
The SAZ Director-General added that combating counterfeits requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving Government, regulators, industry, traders and the media.
“Counterfeiting undermines fair competition, destroys local industry and endangers lives,” he said. “No single institution can address this challenge alone.”
Mr Mukoyi said sustained enforcement, public awareness and cooperation across the value chain is essential if Zimbabwe is to protect consumers and support the growth of legitimate local industries.
The Zimpapers Public Lecture Series on Counterfeits brought together policymakers, regulators, business leaders and legal experts to examine the economic, legal and social impact of counterfeit goods in Zimbabwe.
