Harare, (New Ziana) – The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has announced the introduction of new stringent regulations prohibiting excessive lead content in paints and coating products, a move aimed at safeguarding both public health and the environment.
The new measures are contained in Statutory Instrument 82 of 2026, titled the Environmental Management (Prohibition of Lead in Paint and Coating Materials) Regulations, 2026.
In a statement on Thursday, EMA said the regulations were designed to eliminate the dangers associated with lead-based paints, which pose serious health and environmental risks.
“Under the new law, all paints and coating materials produced, imported or sold in Zimbabwe for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial purposes must not exceed a lead concentration of 90 parts per million (ppm). The threshold is in line with internationally recognized safety standards,” it said.
EMA said the regulations apply across the entire paint supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers.
The agency noted that exposure to lead can have devastating effects on human health, particularly among children, and can also contaminate ecosystems if not properly controlled.
Authorities believe the new framework will help promote safer products on the market while strengthening environmental protection efforts in Zimbabwe.
EMA urged all stakeholders in the paint industry to comply with the regulations and ensure that products placed on the market meet the prescribed standards.
New Ziana
