For Immediate Release

13th January, 2017

REFLECTIONS ON 2016 ZWMA INSPECTIONS.TOWARDS ENHANCED

CONSUMER PROTECTION AND FAIR TRADE

With its overarching mandate being to provide regulatory oversight in the field of Legal
Metrology in Zambia, in the year 2016 the Zambia Weights and Measures Agency
(ZWMA) conducted inspections of various measuring instruments in the petroleum,
manufacturing, milling and retail sectors. Backed by the Weights and Measures Act Cap
403 of the Laws of Zambia, a total number of 20292 instruments were verified in routine
inspections and verification of measuring and weighing instruments.

Petroleum Industry

The Agency carried out biannual inspections of tanker trucks at TAZAMA Fuel Depots.
The inspections were in collaboration with the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and
Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS). The purpose of the joint inspections was for each
regulator to conduct random spot checks of Zambian fuel tanker trucks with regards to
respective institutional mandates associated with these vehicles.

Overall, the joint inspections exercise were a success. A total of 74 tankers were
inspected with findings showing 68.9% compliant tanker trucks amongst those inspected.
The 31.08% found to be non-compliant were charged fines and corrective measures were
put in place before the owners were allowed to operate the tanker trucks. Additionally, the
Agency conducted inspections for bulk flow meters used in loading and offloading of fuel
from all depots in the country.

Manufacturing Sector

The Agency undertook random inspections of cement manufacturing companies in the

country. The inspections were prompted by various complaints from consumers alleging
existence of under-weight bags of cement on the market. The products inspected include
Lafarge Mphamvu Cement, Dangote Cement, Sunstone Advance Tile Cement and
Baudot Great Wall Cement. In total, 2337 bags of cement were inspected in 2016. Of that
number, 2187 bags were non-compliant and only 150 bags were complaint representing
93.58% non-compliance and 6.42% compliance. The companies that had non-complaint
bags were charged fines and requested to undertake additional corrective action of re-
bagging the product to acceptable tolerances.

Grain Buyers

During the 2016 crop marketing season, ZW&MA carried out inspections of mobile grain
buyers in Eastern, Southern, Copperbelt and Central Provinces. The main objective of
the inspections was to ensure that grain buyers were using approved weighing scales.
The inspections conducted revealed that there was a lot of non-complaint weighing
instruments in Eastern Province whereas Southern Province, Copperbelt and Central
recorded few cases of non-approved weighing instruments. Overall, 234 grain buyers
were inspected from the four provinces. 100 grain buyers were complaint whereas 134
were non-complaint. As a result, 85 non-compliant weighing instruments were and later
destroyed after ZWMA had followed the necessary legal procedures.

Another observation was is that about 32 traders were involved in unconventional

methods of trade. The unconventional methods included use of buckets, pots and tins
which were not standard in terms of measurements. With non-standard measurements,
it is not possible to get value for money or to assure traceability of the quantity sold.

Further, during the grain-buyers inspection exercise, all traders and farmers were
educated on the benefits of using approved methods of trade through practical
demonstration.

Millers

The Agency conducted national wide inspections of millers to ascertain the correctness
of quantities declared on all pre-packed milling products. Some of the products inspected
included mealie meal, animal feed and rice, to mention but a few. Companies inspected
included but were not limited to APG, National Milling, Choma Milling, Kapinga, Mushe
and Ghiradi Milling amongst others. It was found that most milling products were non-
compliant with regulatory requirements regarding pre-packed commodities. Out of 4705
bags of mealie meal inspected, 3931 bags were non-complaint representing 83.55% non-
compliant bags against 16.45% compliant bags. Companies found wanting were fined
and directives given for additional corrective measures to be undertaken. Such measures
included re-bagging of non-compliant prepacks and more frequent calibration of test
weights and weighing instruments to ensure accurate and effective measurement
systems.

Chain Stores, Butcheries, Bakeries and Hardware

Giving confidence to the consumers on the accuracy of weighing instruments used in

butcheries, bakeries and supermarkets is among the primary roles of ZWMA. In 2016, the
Agency undertook rigorous inspections around the country to ensure compliance in the
use of weighing instruments as well as products of such weighing instruments (pre-
packed goods).

Generally, most well established retails were found to be compliant. For example, of the
1207 loaves of bread inspected, a total of 955 loaves were complaint representing
79.12% compliant loaves against 20.88% non-compliant loaves.

Arising from the inspections undertaken in 2016, ZWMA is urging all stakeholders
engaged in commercial transactions to adhere to weights and measures regulations as
they do business, to ensure that there is promotion of fair trade for both the trader and
the consumer.

The Agency shall enhance its sensitization efforts in 2017 for the purpose of educating
as many people as possible on the correct methods to apply in trade where weighing and
measuring instruments are involved.

The Chief Executive Officer

Zambia Weights and Measures Agency
Plot 2387 Longolongo Road
P.O Box 30989
Tel: +260 211 222294 Fax: +260 211 222297
Email: info@zwma.org.zm