Established under the Standards Development Fund Act [Chapter 14:19], the SDL is a mandatory payroll levy paid to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. It is calculated as 0.5% (half a percent) of an employer's total gross remuneration (wage bill). Its primary objective is to fund the development and implementation of standards via organizations like the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ).

Every employer in Zimbabwe (individuals, companies, partnerships) paying remuneration is required to register with the Standards Development Fund. This applies immediately when the first employee is hired.

Payment is made quarterly (or monthly, based on company size and classification). Quarterly due dates are on the **15th** of:
April, July, October, and January (for the preceding quarter in arrears). Surcharge: Failure to pay the levy by the due date results in an automatic surcharge/penalty equal to 10% of the levy due.

In alignment with multi-currency frameworks, statutory levies in Zimbabwe must be paid in the currency in which the salaries are disbursed. If wages are paid in USD, the SDF must be paid in USD. If paid in local currency (ZiG), the levy must be paid in ZiG. Mixed payrolls require pro-rata payment in respective currencies.