SON prioritises standardisation, registration to check substandard products

The Standards Oragnisation of Nigeria, SON, has affirmed that any product produced or imported into the country must be registered, certified and meet the minimum standards to reduce the hazard of substandard products in n the country, and safeguard the health of Nigerians.

This resolution to uphold the best practices as it concerns different products in Nigerian markets, formed the crux of deliberations at a one-day sensitisation workshop held by the organisation in Awka.

The workshop which had as theme: ‘SON requirements and compliance monitoring activities to cub the influx and sale of substandard products in the country’ was organised by the Inspectorate And Compliance Directorate of organisation in Awka, Anambra State.

Addressing the participants in Awka, the Director General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said the public sensitisation was timely as the President Bola Tinubu adminstration makes efforts to turn around the nation’s economy and to elicit support and collaborations.

Dr Okeke challenged all stakeholders in Anambra State to follow due process in their businesses as it will help ensure mutual business growth and public safety.

The Director General who spoke through the Director of Public Relations in the organisation, Dr Mrs Foluso Bolaji disclosed that SON has not relented in its regulatory functions as they have confiscated many fake and sub-standard products, arraigned and tried suspects involved at federal courts and then, appealed to everyone to come on on board the ensure strict adherence to standards and quality assurance.

“We are using the nationwide stakeholders sensitization programmes not only to enlighten operators on the provisions of the SON ACT No. 14 of 2015 but equally to strengthen stakeholders’ engagement and collaborations.

“The positive outcome and impact of the sensitization exercises in places where they have been conducted so far have been so encouraging. This forum would therefore not be different in soliciting more support, collaboration as well as challenging all stakeholders in Anambra State and adjoining areas on the need to follow right processes for mutual business growth and public safety.

“The SON ACT enacted into Law by the Seventh National Assembly is a revolutionary document which we are deploying to carry out massive steps towards delivering on our mandate to sanitise the Nigerian landscape, markets, everywhere, of unwholesome products.

“Let me inform you that the big hauls of seizures which the Organisation have been recording in recent times are testimonial that we mean business by harnessing to the enormous powers which the ACT has accorded us.

“We have been confiscating fake and sub-standard products worth over several billions of naira across the country. We have since embarked on arraignment and trials at the various federal courts of suspects linked with the failed and impounded goods.

We are not resting on our oars and no one person, group, sector or region is being targeted.

“We therefore appeal to all to be on board the standards voyage, ensure strict adhere to standards and quality assurance for your businesses to grow. Let me remind us all that, the work of standardisation is to grow Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, promote agro-allied sector, ensure safety of lives and property as well as ensure industrial and economic development, which is why we need this engagement with you, participants and operators. We need to use the opportunity of the African common market to attain economic and trade development.

“That is why we are spreading our tentacles to the states and geo-political zones. Product counterfeiters have no place to hibernate. With the re-invigorated monitoring and enforcement strategies and exercises we are putting in place, our dragnet will get economic saboteurs anywhere, anytime.As one of the best ISO Management Systems training providers, SON has continually updated its training programmes to suit the latest international standards, practices, principles and in-depth knowledge.

“As operators we urge you to always certify your products quality with SON in order to make made-in-Nigeria products and services good to go anywhere in the world.

“We have International Accredited Firms with total quality expertise supporting exporters and importers to comply with the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) in Nigeria. Importers and exporters trading with Nigeria need to comply with the requirements of SON in order for their goods to get seamless clearance at the seaports. Let us endeavour to grow our own product brands and encourage more investments by standards adherence.

“Let me assure you that SON as a Federal body with responsibilities to develop standards for products and services as well as ensure that locally manufactured or imported products comply with the requirements of quality and standards through conformity assessment benchmarking, provides a level-playing field for local manufacturers, importers, exporters and consumers. It therefore behoves on operators to deliver on consumers’ expectations. We insist that all products manufactured in Nigeria must be certified to the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) through the agency’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP). Again, all imported products must also be certified to the NIS or other approved standards through SON’s Offshore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) Products.

“We should know that registration and certification are vital tools for products competitiveness. Furthermore, to ensure safety and protection of end-users, we are now put in place products Authentication Mark (PAM)- the sticker on the products are double assurance of the products quality.”

SON has internationally accredited laboratories and metrology services to support export promotion particularly agricultural products. Certified made-in-Nigeria products enjoy both local and global acceptance.

“We are bringing standardisation activities to the doorsteps of all across the country. We have mobile calibration vans to boost testing of your products especially in semi-urban and rural communities.

“Let us join hands together with SON to fight the influx of sub-standard products and create a healthy and prosperous nation,”Okeke advocated.

Anambra State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Christian Udechukwu said the sensitisation was important as the state government is determined to ensure that products available to Anambra people in the state are of highest standards.

In his presentations, the Head of SON Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate, Mr Pius Manji-Lawan maintained that their objective is to build a sustainable nationwide inspectorate and compliance structure for achieving an effective enforcement regime.

Commissioner Of Police,Mr Nnaghe Obono Itam who spoke through an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Anietiee Eyo commended SON for the initiative and their dedication to promoting quality standards and protecting consumers.

In their various goodwill messages, the Chairman, Anambra State Aluminum Manufacturers Association, Mr Emeka Malunze and the President, Automobile Manufacturers And Importers Association, Nnewi, Mr Austin Jideofor extolled the activies of SON to ensure standardzation, saying they will always comply and work in collaboration with them to achieve their aim and objectives

The one day sensitization attracted manufacturers, marketers and stakeholders whose value chain are involved in product manufacturing or importation in Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States.

It also attracted partner organization who joined hands with SON in clamouring for standardization of products circulating in the markets and bringing to the barest minimum the number of fake and counterfeits products.

VON