Where we work · Zambia
ISO and GRC certification consulting in Zambia
Achieve ISO and GRC certification in Zambia with Sterling: 8,100+ client engagements in 60+ countries, 20+ years.
- 21 standards, one team
- Accredited certification route
- Johannesburg office team
- Effivity and Academy included
Sectors that ask for certification in Zambia
Clients include
ISO and GRC certification in Zambia at a glance
Zambia's certification demand starts with regulators and buyers, not with the standards themselves. Everyone who controls or processes personal data registers with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner under the Data Protection Act, 2021, and the Act expects personal data to be stored on servers inside the country, with transfers abroad only on its conditions. The Cyber Security Act, 2025 adds duties for owners of critical information infrastructure, the Bank of Zambia licenses payment providers under the National Payment System Act, 2026, and the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024 gives the Commission safety, health and environmental inspection functions in mining. The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency administers compulsory standards, while the Zambia Bureau of Standards develops national standards. Copper and cobalt mining, agriculture and food processing, construction, banks and manufacturers in the Zambia Development Agency's economic zones drive most requests. Zambia has no national accreditation body; SADCAS serves it, and certificates come from accredited certification bodies, never from Sterling. Sterling's Johannesburg office serves clients across Zambia, on-site where the work needs it and remotely otherwise, with 8,100+ client engagements in 60+ countries and Effivity and Sterling Academy included.
ISO and GRC standards Sterling delivers in Zambia
Each card opens Sterling's guide to the standard: what it requires, how certification or compliance works and what sets the time and cost.
Quality & operational excellence
Information security, cyber & cloud
Privacy & data protection
AI governance & digital trust
Environment, energy & climate
Health & safety
Governance, risk & resilience
Financial services, payments & AML
Food safety & agriculture
Healthcare, medical devices & life sciences
Laboratories, inspection & accreditation
Automotive, aerospace, rail & defence
Construction, energy, oil & gas
Regulators and laws that drive certification in Zambia (14)
| Law or regulator | What it asks for | Standards it cites |
|---|---|---|
| Data Protection Act, 2021 (Act No. 3 of 2021) Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, established by section 4 of the Act in the Ministry responsible for communications to regulate data protection and privacy; the regulator's website presents the office as the Data Protection Commission (DPC) of Zambia, under the Ministry of Technology and Science | Applies to processing of personal data wholly or partly by automated means and to other processing, except by an individual for personal use. It requires registration as a data controller or data processor, sets principles of lawful, fair and transparent processing, requires consent in listed cases, restricts sensitive personal data and children's data, requires records of processing, impact assessments for high-risk processing, security safeguards, a data protection officer and breach notification to the Commissioner. It requires personal data to be processed and stored on a server or data centre in Zambia, with transfers abroad allowed only on the conditions in Part X, and it licenses data auditors. | |
| Data Protection (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 2021 (Statutory Instrument No. 58 of 2021) and the Commissioner's registration guidelines Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (Data Protection Commission) | The guidelines say all persons and entities processing personal data in all sectors must register regardless of turnover or number of employees, apart from individuals processing for personal use and those the Commissioner has exempted. Applications are made electronically; fees depend on the category (individual, micro, medium or large organisation, or data processor); the certificate is renewable, is not transferable and must be displayed at the principal place of business. The application asks for a data protection officer, data sharing agreements and any storage or transfer of data outside Zambia, which needs a separate authorisation. | |
| Guidelines for Mandatory Data Protection Training (February 2025) Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (Data Protection Commission) | The guidelines say data controllers, data processors and their employees undergo role-based data protection training at their own expense, that training is repeated at set intervals and more often in high-risk sectors such as financial services, healthcare and the public sector, that new staff in data roles train after appointment, and that trainers must be accredited by the Commission, which publishes a list. | |
| Bank of Zambia Payment service providers, payment system operators and their suppliers | National Payment System Act, 2026 (Act 5 of 2026) — repeals and replaces the National Payment Systems Act, Cap. 359; the Bank administers it, licenses and supervises payment service providers, approves payment system rules and requires a licence applicant to describe a risk management framework covering operational, credit, liquidity and cyber risk; providers keep customer information confidential subject to the Data Protection Act, 2021; section 1 provides for commencement on a date the Minister appoints by statutory instrument. | PCI DSS, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22301, SOC 2 |
| Zambia Cyber Security Agency, established by the Cyber Security Act, 2025 Operators of critical information infrastructure and providers of cyber security services | Cyber Security Act, 2025 (Act No. 3 of 2025) with the Cyber Security Act (Commencement) Order, 2025 (Statutory Instrument No. 22 of 2025) — the Agency designates critical information and infrastructure (sectors include banking, health, energy and ICT), controllers register, hold critical data in Zambia unless the Agency authorises hosting abroad, appoint an IT auditor for an annual cyber audit, report incidents immediately with a preliminary report soon after, and may not engage unlicensed cyber security service providers; the Agency may set codes of practice and standards. | ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22301, ISO/IEC 20000-1 |
| Minerals Regulation Commission Mining licence holders, mineral processors and their contractors | Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024 (Act No. 14 of 2024) — repeals and replaces the Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2015; the Commission's functions include safety, health and environmental inspections with other authorities and monitoring environmental management and mine closure with the Zambia Environmental Management Agency; licence holders obtain environmental impact assessment approval before exploring, mining or processing and report accidents to the Commission; the Act names no specific safety standard. | ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 |
| Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Facilities with environmental impacts | Environmental Management Act — ZEMA describes itself as Zambia's principal environmental regulator, formerly the Environmental Council of Zambia, with a mandate for sustainable management of natural resources, protection of the environment and prevention and control of pollution; it runs environmental impact assessment, emission, hazardous waste and pesticide licensing. | ISO 14001 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Institute (OHSI) Workplaces and employers | Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 36 of 2010 — OHSI states it is established under the Act for the improvement of occupational health and safety and occupational hygiene in Zambia; its services include occupational hygiene surveys and medical fitness examinations, including for the mining sector. | ISO 45001 |
| Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) Manufacturers, importers and suppliers of products under compulsory standards | Compulsory Standards Act, Chapter 422 of the Laws of Zambia — ZCSA administers, maintains and ensures compliance with compulsory standards for public safety and health, consumer protection and environmental protection; its functions include premarket approval of high-risk commodities and market surveillance; its factory inspections assess production infrastructure and processes, quality assurance systems and product sampling and testing. | ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP |
| Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) National standards: all sectors | Standards Act No. 4 of 2017 — ZABS states that it is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry that develops, publishes, maintains or withdraws Zambian National Standards through technical committees; the 2017 Act separates enforcement of compulsory standards from ZABS. | |
| Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) Medicines, allied substances and health products | Medicines and Allied Substances Act No. 3 of 2013 — ZAMRA regulates and controls the manufacture, importation, storage, distribution, supply, sale and use of medicines and allied substances; its site describes product registration, premises licensing and Good Manufacturing Practice oversight that cover medical devices and cosmetics as well as medicines. | ISO 13485 |
| Food Safety Coordinating Committee established by the Food Safety Act, 2019 Food businesses and premises | Food Safety Act, 2019 (Act No. 7 of 2019) — per its long title on the National Assembly's site, it establishes the Food Safety Coordinating Committee and the National Food Laboratory, provides a streamlined process for regulatory clearances of health requirements for food premises and repeals the Food and Drugs Act, 1972. | ISO 22000, HACCP, FSSC 22000 |
| Energy Regulation Board (ERB) Electricity, petroleum and other energy undertakings | Energy Regulation Act, Cap 436 — ERB licenses regulated undertakings in electricity and petroleum and monitors their efficiency and performance, and works with the Zambia Bureau of Standards on standards for quality, safety and reliability of supply; its About page does not cover energy audits or energy management systems. | ISO 50001 |
| Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public and private organisations: corruption prevention | Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 — the Commission's Prevention Department gives technical and advisory services to public bodies and its Legal and Prosecutions Department prosecutes offences under the Act. | ISO 37001, ISO 37301 |
Accreditation and recognition
- Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS): Multi-economy accreditation body, registered in 2005 under the Botswana Companies Act, 2003 and approved by the SADC Council of Ministers in August 2007; SADCAS names Zambia among the SADC economies without a national accreditation body that it serves.
Look for a certification body whose accreditation scope covers your standard and sector, from a national accreditation body recognised under the international arrangements of Global ACI (Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, formerly the IAF MLA). Sterling does not certify.
Tenders and procurement
- Public procurement under the Public Procurement Act, 2020 (Act No. 8 of 2020) (Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA), an independent regulatory body under section 6): Solicitation documents describe eligibility requirements and the documentary proof required (section 60), so quality, safety or security certificates are asked for only where a tender sets them. Technical requirements are to be based on national or international standards, whichever is superior (section 59). ZPPA runs the electronic government procurement system, publishes a list of barred and suspended suppliers and issued the Public Procurement (Preference and Reservation Schemes) Regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 45 of 2025).
Economic zones
- Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone: manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics
- Chambishi Multi-Facility Economic Zone: mining, mineral processing
- Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone: manufacturing
- Kalumbila Multi-Facility Economic Zone: mining, manufacturing
- Lusaka East Multi-Facility Economic Zone (ZCCZ) and the Sub-Saharan Gemstones Exchange and Roma Park industrial parks: manufacturing, gemstones
Sterling in Zambia
Sterling delivers in Zambia from its Johannesburg office: one team from scoping to certificate, with Effivity ISO & GRC software and Sterling Academy access included. Sterling does not certify; certification decisions stay with independent bodies.
Questions Zambia clients ask
Must organisations in Zambia register with the Data Protection Commissioner?
Yes. Section 19 of the Data Protection Act, 2021 bars anyone from controlling or processing personal data without registering as a data controller or data processor, and the Commissioner's registration guidelines say this covers all sectors whatever the turnover or staff numbers, apart from individuals processing for personal use. A certificate follows approval and is displayed at the principal place of business. Confirm your own category with the Commissioner's office or your adviser.
Can personal data be stored outside Zambia?
Only on the Act's conditions. Section 70 requires a controller to process and store personal data on a server or data centre in Zambia, sensitive personal data must stay there, and the Minister may prescribe categories that can be stored abroad. The registration guidelines add that storing data outside Zambia needs a separate authorisation. Review cloud hosting and disaster recovery sites with the Commissioner or your counsel before any move.
Does Zambia have a national accreditation body?
No. SADCAS, the multi-economy body created under the SADC trade protocol, names Zambia among the economies without a national accreditation body that it serves, and its Zambia page lists accredited laboratories and focal points in the trade ministry. Its management system scheme is recognised for quality, environmental, occupational health and safety and food safety standards, so read each certificate's accreditation mark.
Who inspects mine safety and health in Zambia?
The Minerals Regulation Commission, under the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024, which replaces the Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2015. Its functions include safety, health and environmental inspections alongside other authorities, and licence holders report accidents to it and obtain environmental impact assessment approval before mining. The Act names no safety standard, so ask the Commission how your licence conditions apply.
How do ZCSA and ZABS differ?
ZCSA, the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency, administers compulsory standards for public safety, health and environmental protection and conducts premarket approval of high-risk commodities and market surveillance under the Compulsory Standards Act. The Zambia Bureau of Standards develops and maintains Zambian National Standards under the Standards Act No. 4 of 2017. Neither body replaces an ISO management system certificate.
In which language are audits carried out in Zambia?
Normally English, the language of Zambia's Acts, regulator guidelines and most business records. Shop-floor, mine-site and supplier interviews may be easier in a local language, so settle the audit language, any interpreter and the language of controlled documents with the certification body when you apply, and keep procedures in the language your teams actually use.
Start with a free discovery call
A Sterling consultant goes through your entities, your regulators and your target date with you. No proposal until the scope is agreed.
Sources
- Data Protection Act, 2021 (Act No. 3 of 2021) — dataprotection.gov.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Data Protection (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 2021 (Statutory Instrument No. 58 of 2021) and the Commissioner's registration guidelines — dataprotection.gov.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Guidelines for Mandatory Data Protection Training (February 2025) — dataprotection.gov.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- National Payment System Act, 2026 (Act 5 of 2026) — zambialii.org (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Cyber Security Act, 2025 (Act No. 3 of 2025) with the Cyber Security Act (Commencement) Order, 2025 (Statutory Instrument No. 22 of 2025) — zambialii.org (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024 (Act No. 14 of 2024) — zambialii.org (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Environmental Management Act — zema.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 36 of 2010 — ohsi.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Compulsory Standards Act, Chapter 422 of the Laws of Zambia — zcsa.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Standards Act No. 4 of 2017 — zabs.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Medicines and Allied Substances Act No. 3 of 2013 — zamra.co.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Food Safety Act, 2019 (Act No. 7 of 2019) — parliament.gov.zm; zambialii.org (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Energy Regulation Act, Cap 436 — erb.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 — acc.gov.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) — sadcas.org (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Public procurement under the Public Procurement Act, 2020 (Act No. 8 of 2020) — zambialii.org; zppa.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone — zda.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Chambishi Multi-Facility Economic Zone — zda.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone — zda.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Kalumbila Multi-Facility Economic Zone — zda.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Lusaka East Multi-Facility Economic Zone (ZCCZ) and the Sub-Saharan Gemstones Exchange and Roma Park industrial parks — zda.org.zm (accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Talk to a consultant
Plan your certification with the Johannesburg team.
Tell us your goals, locations and target date. We’ll help you define the scope, timeline and next steps.
southafrica@sterling-grc.com+1 201 263 4443 (global headquarters) · the Johannesburg office replies by e-mail within one working day
What would you like to achieve?
Choose a starting point. The enquiry form takes about a minute.
Book my free discovery callContinue to the enquiry form to share your details. Please do not include passwords, sensitive personal information or confidential files. A Sterling consultant replies within one working day. Privacy notice