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Zimbabwe bans high-lead paints to protect public health
2 hrs ago |
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The Government has banned the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of paints containing excessive lead content following the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 82 of 2026, in a move aimed at protecting public health and the environment.
The new regulations, known as the Environmental Management (Prohibition of Lead in Paint and Coating Materials) Regulations, 2026, set the maximum permissible lead content in paints and coating materials at 90 parts per million (ppm).
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) said the law is intended to reduce exposure to hazardous lead substances, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.
"Government has taken this decisive step in the interest of protecting public health and the environment from the dangers associated with lead in paints and coating materials," EMA said.
The regulations apply to paints used in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial settings.
Manufacturers and importers are now required to ensure compliance through laboratory testing and proper documentation of lead levels in all paint products.
"Manufacturers and importers must maintain records demonstrating compliance and avail such documentation upon request by authorised officers," the agency said.
EMA added that inspectors will conduct routine inspections, collect samples for testing and enforce compliance across the sector.
Non-compliance with the new rules constitutes an offence, with penalties including fines of up to level 14, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
The agency said a transitional period has been introduced to allow industry players time to adjust before non-compliant products are removed from the market.
Health experts have long warned that lead exposure can cause severe neurological damage, particularly in children, as well as kidney and reproductive health problems in adults.
Environmental specialists have welcomed the move, noting that safer paint alternatives are widely available and that the regulations align Zimbabwe with international best practice on chemical safety.
The new regulations, known as the Environmental Management (Prohibition of Lead in Paint and Coating Materials) Regulations, 2026, set the maximum permissible lead content in paints and coating materials at 90 parts per million (ppm).
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) said the law is intended to reduce exposure to hazardous lead substances, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.
"Government has taken this decisive step in the interest of protecting public health and the environment from the dangers associated with lead in paints and coating materials," EMA said.
The regulations apply to paints used in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial settings.
Manufacturers and importers are now required to ensure compliance through laboratory testing and proper documentation of lead levels in all paint products.
EMA added that inspectors will conduct routine inspections, collect samples for testing and enforce compliance across the sector.
Non-compliance with the new rules constitutes an offence, with penalties including fines of up to level 14, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
The agency said a transitional period has been introduced to allow industry players time to adjust before non-compliant products are removed from the market.
Health experts have long warned that lead exposure can cause severe neurological damage, particularly in children, as well as kidney and reproductive health problems in adults.
Environmental specialists have welcomed the move, noting that safer paint alternatives are widely available and that the regulations align Zimbabwe with international best practice on chemical safety.
Source - The Chronicle
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