A Standard is a technical document detailing the requirements necessary to ensure that a material, product, service, or procedure is fit for the purpose it was intended.

These requirements could include design, material, performance, manufacturing and testing requirements, including packaging and labeling.

How are Standards developed?

Standards are the result of a consultative process involving all interested parties (Stakeholders) who agree on the contents of these standards through consensus. They are developed on a need basis and the need for a new standard can be initiated by stakeholders, an individual, a manufacturer, or a government institution

Standards are developed by technical committees’ discussions comprising stakeholders such as manufacturers, suppliers, buyers, consumer’s relevant associations, professionals, academic/ research institutions and regulators of a particular material, product, process or service. The discussions culminate into draft standards which are subjected to public scrutiny for two months after which the standards a published in government gazette as Zambia standards upon approval by stakeholders.

• They are used by the industry in order to produce quality goods and services
• Consumers can use standards as basis for buying quality goods and services
  • Standards are used as a basis for law or regulation to protect the consumer and the
  • environment from hazard related products
• Can be used as a basis for conformity assessment (testing, inspection and
• certification)

What are some of the Standards that have been developed?

ZABS has developed over 6,500 standards for different sectors of the economy. These include:

• Agriculture sector,
• ICT sector,
• Engineering sector,
• Food and Beverage sector,
• Energy sector
• Leather and Leather products sector,

Construction sector etc.

• Increased profitability through cost reduction and increased sales
• Standards ensure that consumers are protected from hazards to their health and safety
• Standards promote and protect economic interests of consumers
• They ensure that consumers have easier access to and greater choice in goods and services
• Standards inspire trust and consumer confidence in your business
• They assist businesses to meet regulatory requirements
• Provide access to new markets
• Standards create a competitive advantage by improving the quality of goods and services
• Standards ensure improved quality and reliability

Documentation and Information Centre

The Documentation and Information Center (DIC) holds a collection of national and International standards, technical regulations, technical books and journals. The DIC offers the following services

• Sale of Zambian, International and Foreign Standards
• Information on technical specifications to manufacturers and traders
• Information relating to National and International Standards
• Information to exporters on technical regulations of importing countries
• Information on Zambian certified products and services
• National enquiry point (NEP) for Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO/TBT) information
• to download a membership form click the download (CHANGE PICTURE TO THE ONE ATTACHED AND LABELLED “DIC PIC”)