INTRODUCTION OF REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR NUMBER PLATE MANUFACTURING AND EMBOSSING OF REGISTRATION MARKS

This initiative seeks to regulate the activity of manufacturing blank number plates and embosing of regisration marks on blank plates in Zambia. For a long time, the nation has not had a regulatory framework for the two activties which has posed a significant challenge to the Road Transport and Safety Agency. Section 28 of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 (hereqfter the ‘Act’), makes it mandatory for a person who manafuctures registration marks and numbers to obtian a pernit from RTSA. However there are currently no regulations on the procedure for applying for permits, how the permits should be issued, the conditions for issuance, and the fees payable.The Regulation seeks to provide a regulatory framework for the manufacture of blank number plates and embossing of registration marks and numbers. The Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 prohibits the manafacturing of registration marks and numbers in Zambia, without a permit from the RTSA. Further, the Act requires a person who has obtained a permit to manaucture registration marks and numbers, to adhere to the conditions that would be attached to the permit.The objective of the proposed measure is to provide a regulatory framework for manufacturers of blank number plates as well as embossers of registration marks and numbers on the blank plates. The Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 and the current Registration and Licensing Regulations do not effectively address problem in question.
The proposed SI will among other things, provide for licencing, control and inspection of manufactures of number plates and embossers of registration marks and numbers. The SI also seeks to introduce a fee for issuance of the permits, in order to defray administrative costs. With regards to the intended effects, the SI will result in a minor upward adjustment to the cost of doing business for the people that will be affected, mostly due to the introduction of the permit fees.Stakeholders to be consulted
The following is the list of key stakeholders that will be consulted: Zambia Bereau of Standards (ZABS); Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Inducstry; Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) and Individual Manufacturers and Embossers.
Stakeholders that will not be consulted
Besides the stakeholders that will be specifically invited to make submissions, the invitation will be open to businsses to make submissions