GOVERNMENT has launched the Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment programme (CBCA) in response to the growing number of imports amid reports that the country had imported consumer goods worth $1,6 billion in the first quarter of this year, a Cabinet minister has said.
BY TATIRA ZWINOIRA
Addressing a business forum in Harare last Friday, Industry and Commerce minister Mike Bimha said government had engaged an international company called Bureau Veritas to verify the quality of some of the imports at the ports of entry to protect the unsuspecting consumer from harmful products.
“Zimbabwe is fast becoming some giant warehouse of foreign-manufactured goods while it has become the retail cash cow of the region,” Bimha said.
“However, more important to note is that within these imports are the sub-standard imports being dumped in Zimbabwe.”
Bimha said the objectives of the CBCA were the protection of the consumer and the environment, conformity assurance, swift customs clearance with the appropriate certificate of conformity, fight against counterfeits and to improve and secure customs duty collection.
He said Bureau Veritas will provide its service for the next four years as it acts as an interim measure of controlling the sub-standard imports.
He added that since March there had been awareness campaigns in preparation for the trial phase of the programme which was scheduled to commence on May 16.
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“For government and consumers the issue of sub-standards have been subject of concern and debate for many years, especially after the introduction of multi-currency in 2009,” Bimha said.
“While Zimbabwe has a national standards body, the Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), it has the responsibility of developing standards and not enforcing them.
“You will also be aware of the abuse of international and national brands and how these have landed in Zimbabwe—examples are too numerous,” Bimha said.
“Government is taking this step to protect the consumer and I am calling on all stakeholders to support this pilot programme. The organisation (Bureau Veritas) we engaged is reputable.”
Bureau Veritas has over 1500 laboratories and offices in 140 countries all over the world and employs over 65 000 people. In 2013 the company’s revenue surpassed $4 billion.
