Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – Government has promulgated Statutory Instrument 82 of 2026 banning the use of harmful lead in paint and coating materials as part of efforts to protect public health and the environment from toxic chemical exposure.
In a statement on Thursday, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) said the new legislation, the Environmental Management (Prohibition of Lead in Paint and Coating Materials) Regulations, 2026, seek to eliminate the use of lead in paints used for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial purposes.
The environmental agency said the regulations apply to the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of paint and related coating materials across the country.
“The promulgation of Statutory Instrument 82 of 2026 marks a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s commitment to safeguarding human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals,” said EMA.
The agency also noted that the regulations introduce a strict permissible limit for lead content in paint of not more than 90 parts per million (ppm), in line with international best practices aimed at reducing lead exposure, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.
“Lead exposure poses serious health risks, especially to children, including damage to the brain and nervous system, learning disabilities and developmental challenges. The new regulations are therefore a critical intervention towards preventing avoidable health complications,” EMA said.
Under the new law, manufacturers and importers are required to ensure all paint products comply with the prescribed lead limit, conduct laboratory testing on paint formulations and maintain proper compliance documentation.
EMA said authorised officers will have powers to inspect premises, collect paint samples for testing and request relevant documentation from manufacturers and importers to ensure compliance.
“To guarantee effective enforcement, EMA inspectors and authorised officers will conduct routine inspections and compliance monitoring throughout the value chain,” the agency said.
The environmental watchdog warned that non-compliance with the regulations constitutes an offence and may result in penalties including fines of up to Level 14, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
EMA also said that the regulations provide for a transitional period to allow industry players time to comply before all non-compliant products are withdrawn from circulation.
“The transitional arrangement is intended to give manufacturers, importers and distributors adequate time to align their operations with the new legal requirements while ensuring the gradual removal of harmful products from the market,” EMA said.
The agency also implored manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers to support the implementation of the regulations in the interest of public safety and environmental protection.
New Ziana
