Zimbabwe bans lead-based paint in major public health breakthrough

Zimbabwe has taken a significant step towards improving public health and environmental safety after the government introduced new regulations restricting the use of lead in paint and coating materials.

The new law, enacted through Statutory Instrument 82 of 2026, prohibits the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of paint products containing harmful levels of lead.

Announcing the development on Thursday, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) said the Environmental Management (Prohibition of Lead in Paint and Coating Materials) Regulations, 2026 are designed to eliminate the use of hazardous lead-based paints in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial settings.

EMA described the regulations as a landmark achievement in Zimbabwe’s efforts to reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals and align with international safety standards.

“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,” the agency said.

Under the new regulations, paint products sold in Zimbabwe must not contain more than 90 parts per million (ppm) of lead, a limit widely recognised internationally as a safe threshold.

Authorities say the measure is particularly important for protecting children, who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead exposure.

According to EMA, exposure to lead can cause severe and irreversible health problems, including brain and nervous system damage, learning difficulties, behavioural disorders and developmental delays.

“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.

The agency said manufacturers and importers will be required to ensure all paint products comply with the prescribed lead limit, conduct laboratory testing and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance.

To enforce the regulations, authorised EMA officers will have powers to inspect factories, warehouses, retail outlets and other premises, collect paint samples for testing and request relevant records from manufacturers and importers.

“To guarantee effective enforcement, EMA inspectors and authorised officers will conduct routine inspections and compliance monitoring throughout the value chain,” the agency said.

Companies found violating the regulations could face stiff penalties, including fines of up to Level 14, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

EMA noted that a transitional period has been provided to allow manufacturers, importers and distributors sufficient time to comply with the new requirements before non-compliant products are removed from the market.

“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,” the agency said.

The environmental regulator urged industry players and consumers alike to support the implementation of the regulations as part of broader efforts to protect public health and preserve the environment.