• Coordination of standardisation and related activities at various levels (National, Regional and International)
• Preparation and Implementation of National Standards
• Promoting the adoption and application of National standards
• Provide information on National and International standards and standardisation activities
• Provision of venue for necessary National standardisation work
• Sales of National, International and foreign standards
• Promoting National standardisation activities as a way of increasing quality and competitiveness
• Participation in those Regional and International standardisation activities which are most important for Zambia’s economy
• Promotion of quality management
• Consultancy services and education
• Publication of standards related materials
WHAT IS A STANDARD?
A standard is a document, established by consensus and approved by a recognised body that provides, for common and repeated use, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context.”
WHAT IS STANDARDISATION?
“Standardisation is an activity of establishing, with regard to actual or potential problems, provisions for common and repeated use, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context.”
THE STATUS OF A ZAMBIAN STANDARD
Can be used as a basis for law or regulation to protect the consumer and the environment from hazards related to products
Is an agreed document, established by consensus of interested parties, describing good practice
Can be mandatory (by law or regulation) or voluntary (as one way of fulfilling requirements)
Can be used as a basis for conformity assessment (testing, inspection, certification)
THE MAKING OF A ZAMBIAN STANDARD
There are different processes of making National Standards which include the following:
Implementing an international standard
Adoption of a foreign standard
Making a purely national standard
International obligations
a) Implementing an international standard
The need for a standard is identified
Applicability of an international standard is analysed
National enquiry (Standard is sent for public comments)
National implementation of the standard
b) Adoption of a foreign standard
The need for a standard is identified
Applicability of a foreign standard is analysed
National enquiry (Standard is sent for public comments)
Translation if need be
National implementation of the standard
c) Making a purely national standard
Establishment of need
Announcement of new project
Setting up a committee with representation of relevant interests
Draft for enquiry (Standard sent for Public comments)
