The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) wish to dispel reports in some sections of the media concerning the quality of cement being manufactured in Zambia.

ZCSA and ZABS wish to assure members of the public and other stakeholders that contrary to comments attributed to a minister in a neighboring country, Cement produced in Zambia complies with the requirements of the Zambian National standard for cement. The Zambian Standard ZSEN 197-1:2011 Cement – Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements is based on an international standard that is used globally by manufacturers, national standards bodies and regulators. This standard was declared compulsory in Zambia and therefore, all manufacturers and importers are required to comply with its requirements.

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency regulates Cement using this compulsory standard through routine factory inspections which include periodic testing of the product and this is supplemented by open market surveillance inspections to ensure continued compliance with the requirements of the compulsory standard.

Further, ZABS has awarded product certification status to local cement brands and conducts routine monitoring to ensure continued adherence to the scheme rules. Product certification provides third party and independent attestation for conformity to ZSEN 197-1:2011.

ZCSA and ZABS wish to assure members of the public that the cement produced by all the manufacturers in Zambia meets the requirements of the Zambian Standard ZS EN 197-1:2011 and have not received any consumer complaints relating to the issues highlighted in the social media article.

We are confident that the Cement being supplied by our manufacturers on the Zambian market and exported to various destinations complies with both local and international standards.

For further details and clarification on this matter, interested stakeholders are advised to contact the ZCSA and ZABS communications units.