The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate, Awka, Anambra State on Wednesday September 28 organized a one-day sensitization workshop in Nnewi business community, Anambra State.
The event which theme centered on SON requirements and compliance monitoring activities to curb influx and sale of substandard products in the country attracted captains of industries, high and low profile business men and women, associations and participants from other areas of human endeavours.
Some of the major participants were members of the Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association, Nnewi with Mr Austin Jideofor as its President.
In his opening remarks, the Director General and Chief Executive of the SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke said the timing of the public sensitization was highly appropriate.
He noted that it aligned with the current efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to revitalize the nation’s economy.
The DG and CE who was represented at the workshop by the Director, Public Relations Department of the SON, Mrs Folusho Bolaji explained that the objective of the ongoing nationwide stakeholder sensitization programmes was not only to educate operators on the provisions of the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 but also to enhance stakeholder engagement and foster stronger collaborations.
“The positive impact of sensitization exercises cannot be overemphasized, hence this forum aims to challenge all stakeholders in Anambra State and environs on the need to follow the right processes for mutual business growth and public safety, as well as promote synergy between both parties to achieve collective goals.
“The SON Act, enacted into law by the Seventh National Assembly, serves as a crucial framework that guides and empowers the operations and processes of the organization in fulfilling its mandate to rid the Nigerian market of substandard products and improve life through standardization and quality assurance.
“We therefore urge everyone to join us in the pursuit of maintaining high standards and ensuring strict adherence to quality assurance, which is essential for sustainable business growth. It is important to emphasize that the essence of standardization is to support the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), promote the
agro-allied sector, safeguard lives and property, and drive industrial and economic development.
“This is why we encourage these engagements with participants and operators, as it provides a valuable opportunity to meet under one platform to raise awareness within the African common market with the goal to promote economic and trade development while fostering collaboration in the fight against substandard goods.
“The surge of seizures which the agency has recorded in recent times is quite alarming, considering the fact that confiscation of these fake and sub-standard products valued at several billions of naira across the country represents a significant loss not only for the perpetrators but also for the Nigerian economy as a whole.
“The organization also arraigns and tries suspects linked to the fake and impounded goods in various federal courts, as empowered by the SON Act. While these situations are both challenging and unfortunate, we remain relentless in our efforts against product counterfeiters, regardless of the individuals, groups, sectors, or regions involved in such harmful activities. With enhanced monitoring and enforcement strategies, our operations will effectively track down and apprehend these economic saboteurs.
“Additionally, as a leading provider of ISO Management Systems training, SON has consistently updated its training programs to align with the latest international standards, practices, and principles. We encourage operators to certify their products with SON to enhance the global acceptance of made-in-Nigeria products and services. By adhering to these standards, we can foster the growth of our own products and brands, attract further investment, and follow the path that has contributed to the success of the Asian Tigers and other advanced economies.
“Our commitment is to assure consumers of the quality and safety of both locally made and imported goods. All regulated products must undergo our certification process and comply with relevant national and international standards. Exporters are encouraged to standardize their products and seek support from SON to facilitate smooth and confident exports. We have invested significantly in quality infrastructure to support the growth of businesses and trade.
“We require that all products manufactured in Nigeria be certified to the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) through the agency’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for locally made products, and the SON Offshore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) for imported products. Certification to NIS or other approved standards is crucial for product competitiveness. To enhance safety and protection for end-users, we have recently introduced the Products Authentication Mark (PAM)—a sticker on products that provides double assurance of their quality.
“We also have internationally accredited firms with extensive expertise in quality assurance that support exporters and importers in complying with the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) in Nigeria. To ensure seamless clearance at Nigerian seaports, importers and exporters must adhere to SON’s requirements for their goods. It is crucial to prevent the entry of counterfeit and uncertified imports into our markets, a key objective of the SON Act.
“SON operates internationally accredited laboratories and metrology services to support export promotion, particularly for agricultural products. We are extending standardization activities nationwide, through the use of mobile calibration vans to enhance product testing in suburban and rural communities. We enjoin stakeholders to take advantage of these provisions which allow certified made-in-Nigeria products to benefit from local and global acceptance.
“Let me assure you that SON, as a federal body responsible for developing standards for products and services and ensuring compliance with quality and standards through conformity assessment benchmarking, provides a level playing field for local manufacturers, importers, exporters, and consumers. It is, therefore, expected that operators will meet consumers’ expectations.
“So, this then is an invite to collaborate with SON in combating the influx of sub-standard products, with the goal of creating a healthy, prosperous, and successful nation, “the DG/CE articulated.
The Director, Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate, Mr Pious Manji delivered a lecture titled, “Compliance Procedures”.
He said, among other things, that the programme was aimed at protecting the interest of people who are doing genuine businesses and also protect the consumers of the goods and services.
Mr Manji told the participants that the fight against the menace of substandard products was not limited to SON but that the war should be waged by all to rid Nigerian market of fake, adulterated and substandard products.
He said the fight should be equated to fighting crime which he declared had to be done with dexterity.
Earlier, on behalf of the Nnewi business community, Mr Jideofor said he had requested for a replication of the workshop in Nnewi after attending the programme in Awka since most people from Nnewi could not make it to Awka.
He expressed gratitude to the SON DG/CE for granting his request.
“It’s good for the business community to have interactions with SON for us to let the organization know the area we are not comfortable with them.
“It will also help us to have one on one relationship with the organization because we want them to take it easy with us.
“SON should look at us as partners in progress. It has been acknowledged in this gathering that we have helped the organization to realize substantial amount of money through registration of SONCAP and other things in Anambra State. That alone shows we partner with SON, “Mr Jideofor said.
