The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has pledged to collaborate with National Standards Bodies within the region and beyond to ensure the signing of cooperation agreements to facilitate for Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) that facilitate the acceptance of Zambian products and services on the regional and international markets. The Mutual Recognition Agreements, enable acceptance of certification marks and test certificates, thereby simplifying and expediting the process of trade and market access for products and services creating a conducive environment for increased trade.

Speaking after holding bilateral meetings with National Standards Bodies from China, Turkey, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo, ZABS Executive Director, Nathan Sing’ambwa said the collaboration is essential for reducing technical barriers to trade thereby creating a conducive environment for increased trade and investment. He said ZABS is committed to working closely with the National Standards Bodies in those countries, to establish mechanisms for the mutual recognition of test certificates and certification marks on products and services. This initiative he said, will boost confidence in the quality of products and services that are traded with these countries.

The bilateral meetings were held on the sidelines of the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) General Assembly taking place this week in Brisbane, Australia under the theme “Meeting Global Needs” with the focus on the role of standards in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, climate change, cleaner/greener energy, food security and anti-corruption among others. ZABS which is a corresponding member of ISO is being represented by the Executive Director Mr. Nathan Sing’ambwa, Director Technical Services Mrs. Belinda Kancheya and Standards Officer Mr Choolwe Mutelo.

The Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC), the Turkish Standards Institute, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and the Office Congolais de Controle (OCC), committed to ensuring these agreements once signed are implemented in order to contribute to increased economic trade and investment in line with the objectives of the New Dawn Government.