The Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) was founded early in 1954 to look after the interests of the engineering profession. The EIZ Act, Cap 432 of the Laws of Zambia, was passed in 1992 by Parliament. In 1993, through Statutory Instrument number 125, the Act came into force.

One of the key features of this Act is the creation of the Engineers’ Registration Board (EngRB) and the need to register engineers and companies practicing in Zambia.  The Board issues practicing certificates and licenses in the prescribed form to persons and companies who have been registered as engineers or engineering firms, authorizing such persons named therein to practice in Zambia.

 In Zambia and in a number of countries, there is legislation to regulate the practice of all highly specialized professions, such as accountancy, medicine and law.  Professionals in these fields are allowed to offer their services to the public only if qualified and registered with statutory bodies for their professions.  The EngRB shoulders this responsibility for engineers.  This has a two-fold advantage: ensuring public safety and maintaining high standards in the engineering profession.

The code of ethics enshrined in the act is obligatory for engineers and companies.  Adhering to it may be considered as the price for protection of the profession from charlatans.  In other words, if engineering wants to be respected, then its members must be willing to submit to strict moral and professional rules.  This reassures the public and reinforces their trust in the professionals holding themselves out as engineers.

The engineer in professional practice is considered an expert in his particular field.  This confers on him/her a great advantage over a trusting public, which relies on his expert opinion for matters.  Hence only academically qualified and experienced persons are registered as engineers.  For engineering companies, only those meeting certain criteria are registered as engineering firms.

While there are clear penalties under the law for contravening its provision, the emphasis is on encouraging compliance with the law and bringing non-compliant companies and individuals into agreement with the law.  This regulatory regime is still young and amenable to review, as the effects or defects of the law become apparent.

This law is meant to protect not only the public and society from unqualified engineering practice, but also members of the engineering profession from unnecessary litigation.