Lusaka, 8 January 2025
The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has officially launched the 2025 First Half (H1) Statutory Verification exercise for all measuring instruments used within the petroleum sub-sector. This Regulatory exercise aims to enhance fair trade, safeguard consumer interests, and promote compliance with regulatory standards.
The verification exercise is conducted bi-annually in the Petroleum sub-sector in January and July to ensure accuracy and compliance to metrology requirements of all Petroleum measuring instruments.
As part of this exercise, ZMA Metrologists will conduct statutory inspections and verifications of measuring instruments at both private and public fuel depots and fuel service stations across the country.
The exercise underscores ZMA’s commitment to ensuring accuracy in measurements and maintaining trust and consumer protection within the petroleum sector.
To commence this exercise, a kick off meeting that will be held on Thursday, 9 January 2025, with key stakeholders from the petroleum sub-sector, including senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Energy, Regulatory Agencies, representatives from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), and Service Technician Companies.
ZMA plays a pivotal role in supporting the petroleum distribution chain through statutory verification of petroleum pumps and bulk flow meters that are used in petroleum products commercial transactions.
The Agency has advised the public to look out for valid ZMA’s verification stickers on fuel pumps at filling stations nationwide.
Additionally, ZMA would like to remind players in the petroleum sub-sector to follow the Metrology Act’s regulations and refrain from using unapproved measurement instruments and methods when offloading petroleum products from tanker trucks.
The practices such as the use of weighbridges and dip charts in storage tanks have been flagged as non-compliant. The Agency urges all players to adhere approved methods, which include bulk flow meters, ullage marks, and dip charts on tanker trucks.
ZMA is dedicated to fostering trust and fair trade through promotion of accurate and reliable measurement standards which are vital to supporting economic growth, consumer protection, and national compliance with international metrology standards.
ZMA operates under the statutory body created by the Metrology Act No. 6 of 2017 and operates under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI). The Agency is entrusted with the designation, maintenance, and safeguarding of national measurement standards. It also undertakes the certification and calibration of measuring instruments used in commercial transactions, law enforcement, health, safety, environmental management, and compliance assurance for both locally produced and imported pre-packaged commodities.
Originally Issued by:
Sandra Mwila
Senior Public Relations Officer
Zambia Metrology Agency