ZABS checks out 22,581 imported cars
Mon, 27 Feb 2017 10:33:02 +0000
By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
THREE companies were appointed in January 2017 by the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) to carry out pre-shipment inspection of used motor vehicles.
And the bureau announced that it inspected a total of 22, 581 used motor vehicles for compliance to the standard through its Road Worthiness Inspections (RWI) providers.
ZABS head of marketing and public relations, Hazel Zulu, said among the three appointed agents was Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre Co. Ltd (JEVIC) of Japan, with its Zambian partner, Jokena Auto Technology of Lusaka.
Ms Zulu said others were the Auto Terminal Japan (ATJ) Limited with its Zambian partner Buenos Aires Consultancy Services based in Lusaka and EAA Company Limited with its Zambian partner, ZAMPOST.
“Consumers that import used motor vehicles are obliged to have their vehicles inspected for roadworthiness by authorised RWI agents.
“This is in a bid to ensure that only vehicles that meet the roadworthiness standard are imported into the country, thereby enhancing road safety,” she said.
Ms Zulu explained that inspections were carried out in Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA).
She said the cost of inspection for all the providers was US$140.00 per vehicle, except in the UK where it is US$200 per vehicle.
“It is important that all imported used motor vehicles are inspected at the point of origin and issued with a RWI certificate.
“This confirms that the vehicles are compliant with the Zambian standard, ZS 560 which is a code of practice for the inspection and testing of used motor vehicles for road worthiness,” she said.
Ms Zulu said importers of used motor vehicles were subject to inspection before shipment to avoid bringing defective vehicles into the country and to safeguard the safety of the public.
She said this also helped reduce the high levels of road carnage which at times could be attributed to the use of un-roadworthy vehicles.
And Ms Zulu said between January 2015 and December 2016 ZABS, through its RWIs providers, inspected a total of 22, 581 used motor vehicles for compliance to the standard.
“Pre-shipment inspection of goods in general is a standard international practice which helps countries control the influx of sub-standard products from entering their markets,” she said.