MUKAZA, April 9 (ABP) – The Burundi bureau of standards and quality control (BBN) organized, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, a meeting to share experiences and validat e the implementation plan for mandatory standards on paints, with a view to strengthening the quality of products placed on the market and protecting public health.
This meeting brought together various stakeholders, including representatives of public institutions, the private sector, importers, manufacturers, as well as technical and financial partners.
In his opening speech, the assistant to the minister in charge of Energy, Pacifique Nshimirimana, indicated that the government of Burundi, through the BBN, has taken an important step by adopting mandatory standards setting the maximum lead content in paints at 90 parts per million (ppm), in accordance with decision No. 1228 of March 23, 2025, from the ministry of justice. According to him, this measure addresses a major public health issue.
He explained that lead is a toxic substance, particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women, and that its use in paints constitutes a real risk for populations. By limiting its presence, he added, Burundi is taking a significant step toward preventing health risks and improving citizens’ living conditions.
During the presentation of the draft implementation plan, Philémon Bucumi, head of the standardization and metrology service at the BBN, revealed that some paints used in Burundi contain lead at worrying levels.
According to him, this heavy metal poses a danger to the environment and human health, particularly for pregnant women and children. He specified that once applied in homes, these paints can release lead particles into the air, which are inhaled by occupants, causing various illnesses.
Based on a study conducted by the BBN, he revealed that about 27% of paints available on the Burundian market do not comply with current standards due to their high lead content. In response to this situation, the BBN is working to gradually reduce this proportion to eventually reach a zero rate, with the aim of preserving consumer health.
To address this challenge, he emphasized that Burundi relies on mandatory standards harmonized at the level of the East African Community, already in force in the region. Their implementation among stakeholders involved in the production, importation, and marketing of paints will enable them to ensure products that meet quality and safety requirements, he added.
Finally, he called on sector operators to strictly comply with these requirements, specifying that any violator will be subject to legal sanctions, which may include the withdrawal of non-compliant products from the market.
At the end of the discussions, a representative of importers expressed concerns related to the cost of compliance, calling for technical and financial support to facilitate the transition to lead-free paints. For their part, some local manufacturers advocated for a gradual adaptation period, considering that immediate enforcement of the standards could impact production.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, participants validated the implementation plan for mandatory paint standards, marking a significant step toward cleaning up the market and protecting consumers.