THE Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has extended the inspection of condoms to other parts of the country to enhance compliance to safety standards following the seizure of 80 expired packets in Livingstone recently.
ZCSA public relations officer Lee Hamunji said in a statement that people need to use safe condoms as the commodity borders on human life.
“Condoms are fast-moving consumer goods and as such, the quality and safety of condoms should never be compromised. The agency has, therefore, extended the inspection of condoms to all parts of the country to ensure that the end users are protected,” Mr Hamunji said.
He said the agency is empowered by the Compulsory Standards Act to ensure compliance to safety standards of products such as condoms to avoid further loss of lives through HIV and AIDS.
Mr Hamunji said condoms fall under the umbrella of compulsory standards that the ZCSA has the duty to conduct market surveillance to monitor post market compliance of commodities.
He said condoms are supposed to be tested to ascertain their thickness, length and width, water leakages and bursting volumes, among other factors, to ensure that they are safe for use.
“The agency will continue to educate the public on compulsory standards and provide public information for the protection of the consumers on products and services which do not comply with the Compulsory Standard Act,” he said.
Last week, the agency seized 80 packets of condoms from various retail outlets in Livingstone after it was discovered that they were expired.
This has prompted ZCSA to conduct countrywide inspections.