The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) is seeking public feedback on its proposed rules for electronic devices. Running from October 21 to November 20, 2026, this consultation invites input from industry professionals, telecommunications operators, and citizens. The authority issued this consultation under the ICT Act No. 15 of 2009 and Statutory Instrument No. 6 of 2011. Consequently, all apparatus intended for supply, sale, lease, or use in Zambia requires official authorization. Once approved, the revised framework will repeal and replace the older 2022 standards.
Risk-Based Equipment Rules Under Draft Type Approval Guidelines
Section 5 and Appendix 6 establish a two-tier risk classification for electronic communications equipment. This system assesses the potential interference a device may cause to networks.
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High-Risk Apparatus: These devices actively transmit radio frequencies, operate on licensed spectrum, or manage critical networks. Examples include cellular phones, HF/VHF/UHF radios, base transceiver stations (BTS), microwave links, broadcast transmitters, and core routers.
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Low-Risk Apparatus: These devices operate at low power on unlicensed frequency bands or use purely wired connections. Examples include Bluetooth devices, smartwatches, wireless headsets, IoT sensors, SOHO routers, laptops, and printers.
Post-Clearance Customs Controls and Quarantine Storage Regimes
Additionally, Section 7.1 introduces conditional release mechanisms for imported equipment. Customs officials may release shipments while type approval is finalized under specific circumstances. For example, these provisions apply to authorized economic operators, goods moving to bonded warehouses, or products with protective packaging.
However, strict storage rules apply to non-compliant shipments and second-hand imports. Section 8.1 requires importers to store quarantined goods at an approved facility at their own cost. The maximum quarantine period is 60 days. If an importer does not resolve the conformity issues within this 60-day window, ZICTA may seize the equipment. Furthermore, importers must re-export non-conformant hardware within 30 days at their own expense.
Expanded Product Labelling and Mandatory Manual Disclosures
Section 11 updates product marking rules for all approved electronic apparatus. Importers and manufacturers can now use digital labelling. Specifically, vendors may display type approval marks via a QR code.
Moreover, the draft guidelines enforce two critical product stewardship requirements:
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WEEE Disposal Marking: Every approved product or its package must display the crossed-out wheeled bin graphic symbol. Alternatively, the packaging must explicitly state that users cannot discard the device with municipal waste.
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User Manual Disclosures: Manuals must clearly disclose three items: the expected product lifespan under normal use, life-cycle assessment (LCA) data, and the overall hazard level.
Explicit Schedules for Prohibited Hardware and Exempt Devices
Section 9 and Appendix 5 establish an explicit list of prohibited devices. Prohibited hardware includes scanning receivers, radio jammers across all bands, voice-altering equipment, automatic call diverters, and analog TV transmitters. The authority also prohibits cellular repeaters and boosters unless a licensed mobile operator deploys them.
In contrast, Appendix 7 provides a formal list of exempt equipment. Personal-use shipments of up to five pieces of the same make and model do not need type approval. Receive-only equipment such as FM/AM radios and navigation-only GPS receivers also qualifies for this exemption. Finally, temporary imports for testing or trade exhibitions remain exempt, provided the importer re-exports or destroys the goods within 30 days.
Stakeholders must submit their comments to ZICTA no later than November 20, 2026, using the official stakeholder comment form.
To manage market access and ensure ongoing compliance with international type approval schemes, companies can utilize the Entirety Product Certification Service to guide their global product launches smoothly.
Regulatory Impact Assessment
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Technical Standards? ❌ No
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Type Approval & Market Access? ✅ Yes
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Imports, Customs, Trade, or Market Surveillance? ❌ No
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Spectrum Management? ❌ No
