Recent laboratory tests have shown that 48 percent of hand sanitisers and face masks produced locally have failed to meet the mandatory health standards and Government is now working with the manufacturers to improve the quality of the products, a Cabinet minister has said.

Industry and Commerce Minister Sekai Nzenza said a number of companies failed the test and Government was now working with them to improve on quality.

"SAZ is currently working with the companies whose products were non-compliant, which are at various stages of conducting corrective action to ensure that their products meet the prescribed standards after their PPE failed the initial laboratory tests," she said.

"As Ministry of Industry and Commerce, we have the mandate to implement standards and quality in order to ensure the health and safety of the people.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, working with key stakeholders like Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and SAZ has embarked on awareness campaigns on the mandatory standards for PPE and sanitisers.