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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE government has given importing firms up to September to clear their cargo before the enforcement of new import standards under the Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) regulations aimed at curbing the entry of sub-standard finished products.

A French global company, Bureau Veritas, has been engaged to provide pre-shipment services of the listed products in the country of export and issuance of certificates of conformity based on the national and international quality, safety, health and environment standards.

The move is meant to curtail the entry of sub-standard finished products into the country and create a level playing field between local industries and their foreign counterparts.

The company will from May 16 to September 16 roll out countrywide educational campaigns on CBCA paving way for enforcement of the new regulations.

Bureau Veritas officials officially launched the awareness campaign in Bulawayo on Friday.

An official from the firm, Tendai Malunga, said between now and September, firms whose consignments would be condemned would be allowed to bring them in as it is a period of learning.

“Thereafter, products with shortcomings of conformity to the standards will be prohibited from entry into Zimbabwe,” said Malunga.

Products covered under the CBCA programme include food and agricultural goods, building, products, timber and timber products, petroleum and fuel, electrical and electronic products as well as clothing and textile.

Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa, who witnessed the launch, said Zimbabwean exporters to countries with which Bureau Veritas was contracted were also subjected to conforming to the standards.

She said the CBCA programme was aimed at having import consignments verified for conformity in the country of export prior to shipment to Zimbabwe.

“This programme is intended to substantially reduce hazardous and sub-standard imported products and improve customs duty collection,” she said.

“I’m sure you’ll agree with the observation of my ministry that Zimbabwe is currently flooded with sub-standard imported goods, which don’t meet quality, safety, health and environmental standards in line with World Trade Organisation agreements. These products are negatively impacting on the implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) in particular, the growth and development agenda, and the competitiveness of local industries.”

Mabuwa said the engagement of Bureau Veritas was an interim measure while the establishment of the much anticipated Zimbabwe Quality Standards Regulatory Authority (ZQSRA) was being finalised.

If established, the authority will be responsible for monitoring and controlling of imports, exports as well as goods for local consumption.

“This will ensure compliance with quality, health, safety and environmental standards in line with the WTO agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade and pre-shipment inspection,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said the CBCA programme entails conformity to standards and declared value of the listed products intended to be exported to Zimbabwe.

“The verification will be done in the country of export prior to shipment of the consignment. Upon satisfactory verification, a CBCA certificate will be issued for the consignment and this certificate shall be presented for customs clearance on arrival in Zimbabwe,” she said.

Matabeleland Chamber of Industries president Busisa Moyo commended the government for the CBCA programme, saying it was a step in the right direction in curbing the entry of sub-standards goods into the country.

“It’s a welcome move as it will protect local industry and sub-standard and harmful Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) from entering the country. The move will also go a long way in creating a level playing field as producing non-GMOs is quite expensive,” said Moyo.

“It also needs to be clarified whether or not the programme also applies to spare parts and capital equipment for plant. If it applies to spare parts and plant equipment, obviously that will impact negatively on efforts being made by local companies to retool,” he said.

The influx of cheap imports into the country has been cited as one of the major constraints affecting competitiveness and viability of local firms.

Bureau Veritas signed a four-year contract with the government in February this year.

The company operates in 140 countries worldwide and in Africa it currently offers pre-shipment services to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Uganda, South Africa and Cote d’lvoire.