SON

Lagos, Feb. 24, 2024: Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has inaugurated a facility to test generators and power transformers sold in the  market ,to ensure they are of the right standards.

The Director -General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, inaugurated the” SON Mobile Generators Testing Laboratory and Mobile Transformer Equipment”  on Thursday in Lagos. 

Okeke said it was no more business as usual for assemblers and importers of these products , stressing that buyers must have value for their money.

According to him, all  information supplied on generators  and transformers  will be verified and tested for compliance with Nigeria’s  industrial standard.

He noted that Nigerians depended on the use of generators to power homes and industries, adding that there was need for SON to ensure that the quality of generators in the market comply with standards.

“As a support to the Federal government’s power improvement plan, SON has identified power transformer as an important component of power supply chain that requires monitoring.

“This will ensure that compliance with Nigeria industrial standard requirements,” he said.

The Director-General noted that in fulfilment of SON’s  mandate, the agency had invested in both stationary and mobile testing facilities to conduct on- the -spot testing of transformers and generators.

“The mobile testing facility is equipped to carry out tests on generators such as load testing, protection test, generators efficiency, power factor, voltage regulation test, insulation test, emission test of generators exhaust and noise level check.

“These are critical tests that will determine the quality of the generator and will supply information to our product certification department for MANCAP certification.

“The mobile testing on the transformer will include insulation resistance, winding test, ration test, polarity test, leakage resistance, partial discharge test and no-load loss and excitation current among others,” he said.

Okeke said the provision of these mobile testing facilities would assist SON achieve total coverage of Nigeria, full implementation of MANCAP for local assemblers, importers, and sellers of the two products in Nigeria.

He added that it would also assist in sanctioning all suppliers of substandard generators and transformers and conduct spot tests at the entry point of such products into Nigeria.

According to him, it will ensure that all measuring equipment used are calibrated and resolve all complaints received from buyers of such products.

Okeke reaffirmed SON’s commitment to ridding  the market of substandard products, while advising Nigerians on the need to patronise certified Made- in- Nigeria products.

Similarly, Engr. Richard Adewunmi, Director Lab Services, SON, said the mobile laboratory would  save time, money and reduce the number of complaints received from customers.

Adewunmi said the lab would assist SON begin implementing recall policy on transformers and generators that could not pass  conformity and certification test.

Also, Chief Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), commended SON for the achievement, noting that it was an incentive to manufacturers and importers of transformers and generators.

Minna, Nov. 23, 2023: The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it will employ market surveillance, compliance monitoring and factory inspection to rid Nigerian markets of substandard products.

Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director General, SON, assured Nigerians on Wednesday in Minna, during the presentation of Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to 19 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Niger.

“The volume of substandard products that find their way into the country and even those that are produced locally will be constantly monitored by way of market surveillance, compliance monitoring and factory inspection with the view of sanitising the importers and manufacturers of substandard products.

“I wish to use this medium to encourage every patriotic Nigerian to patronise only SON certified made in Nigeria products with MANCAP logos.

“Doing this will guarantee your satisfaction and in the long run will ensure the sustainability and growth of the Nigerian economy,” said the director general.

”I am appealing to all stakeholders to willingly partner with SON for technical assistance where necessary and to help rid Nigeria of substandard products,” he urged.

Okeke stressed that compliance action would be stepped up to ensure that the use of Nigerian Mark of Quality (NMQ) logo was compulsory and complied with for every product.

He explained that the mandatory product certification scheme was established to ensure that locally manufactured products provide the required degree of satisfaction to consumers through compliance with government policies on standardisation and conformity assessment.

According to him, SON has also been awarding the MANCAP certificates to products that have successfully met the requirements as stipulated in the Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS).

“When we award the MANCAP certificate to a company, we are attesting that such company’s brand or brands conform with the standards and have undergone intensive conformity assessment.”

Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf, the SON state Coordinator, said that the 19 companies were issued the MANCAP certificates for 24 products.

Yusuf said that following the issuance of the certificates, SON would undertake periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testing to ensure that the companies products would continue to meet the requirements of the relevant standards that earned them the certification.

She said that the certified products are to be revalidated every three years.

The state coordinator lamented that the country’s markets are still flooded with unsatisfied, unregistered and substandard products.

She warned that the organisation would continue to tackle unscrupulous business owners till they desist from their unwholesome practices.

Also, Mr Bello Noma, Niger Coordinator, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, said that the MANCAP certificate was one of the criteria for companies to win consumers confidence locally and also export their products abroad.

Noma urged producers and processors of farm products to work toward standard in order to export their products abroad.

Alhaji Hamza Bello, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, assured SON that the ministry would continue to partner with it in order to industrialise the state.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Hajiya Amina Junaid, the Managing Director, Minajunaid Integrated Services, assured SON that the recognition would spur them to always produce standard products.

Some of the certified products include fertilisers, fortified sweet potato flour, white bread, kulikuli, sleeping pillow, foam, rice, ginger powder, shea butter and coconut flakes.

Enugu, Nov. 19, 2023: The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Saturday awarded nine  Enugu based companies Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme Certificates (MANCAP) to ensure standardization.

The companies were Vinox Plastic Company Limited, makers of Morive Table Water, Divine Rose Bakery Ltd, Malted Family Loaf, Idyllic Water Company, Noble Taste Nigerian Limited and  Chifine Bakery Limited.

Others are Michelle Foods Enterprise Ltd. Producers of Jigbo Instant African Sallad, Aqua-Rapha Company Ltd, Hebron Production Company and Butter Barn Chin-Chin.

Presenting the certificates, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SON, Dr Ifeanyi  Okeke said MANCAP policy was a trade facilitation scheme that would allow certified companies and brands do business easily in the country.

The DG represented by the Enugu State Coordinator, SON, Mr Francis Onyeji, said that it would also enable them compete fairly nationwide as well as across International Markets.

Okeke explained that the award of MANCAP was in pursuant to the organisation’s mandate in ensuring that Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was in compliance with the Nigerian Industrial Standards to fit global competitiveness.

The DG said, “SON’s MANCAP certification is in line with its mandate of improving the totality of life through standardisation and quality assurance, and to ensure that manufacturers and consumers alike get value for their investments and money respectively”.

 Okeke reiterated SON’s commitment to its Quality Policy of providing Standards and Quality Assurance to all products, services, and processes in Nigeria according to global best practices which also ensured continual improvement.

He made it clear that only products that had consistently met the requirements of the relevant standard received MANCAP and issued with a unique MANCAP Logo Number.

This, he informed them, would be valid for three years before revalidation adding that they were given the award because of their consistency and dedication.

While congratulating the companies, the DG warned that the certificate could be withdrawn if they failed to maintain the requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standards.

The awardees, in appreciation, pledged their commitment to always conform to the requirements of the standard as well as strive for continuity for good quality products.

Mr Emeka Nwachukwu, the Managing Director, Noble Taste Bakery limited, expressed gratitude to SON for nurturing them to the point of certification, promising to maintain standards at all times.

Equally, the Managing Director, Michelle Foods Enterprise Ltd. producers of Jigbo Instant African Sallad, Mr Kingsley Okah, applauded and encouraged SON to continue assisting entrepreneurs especially SMEs to meet global best practices.

He pledged to put the certification award to good use.

Awka, Nov. 9, 2023: The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has issued 92 Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to 22 companies in Anambra for their 92 products.

The certificates were presented on Wednesday in Awka, the Anambra capital, by Mr Mathias Bassey, the Managing Director, SON’s Anambra Regional Operations Office, on behalf of Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director General (DG) of SON.

Of the 92 certificates, 51 were for revalidation while 41 went for fresh registrations for companies whose products made it through the certification processes.

The companies include Chrisdon Aluminum, Jezco Oil, Portico Best, Manif Foot/Beverages, Dillys Investment, Donna Summer, P&G Cosmetics, Ucee Kings Aluminum, Dexin Multilinks, Vinval Industries, Eastchase Aluminum, Olympic Technical and Gauze Pharm Ltd.

Others were Debaron Global, Godwin Okafor &Sons, SNF Foods, Gonzilas Aluminum, Comag Industries, Frandoz Industries, Capitol Super Aluminum, Golden Oil,

In his message, the DG said the MANCAP scheme was part of the efforts by SON to ensure that made-in-Nigeria products met global acceptance and are capable of competing favourably with their foreign counterparts.

He called on manufacturers to enroll in the MANCAP programme because that was the only way they could know the requirements of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and also get support towards attaining those standards.

He said SON will undertake periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testing to ensure that the products certified continued to meet the requirements of the relevant standards that earned them the certifications.

“All manufacturers and other service providers in the country should ensure that products manufactured in the country meet the required standard so that Nigeria will not be made a dumping ground for substandard products.

“The products are to be revalidated every three years, and it is of utmost importance that you note that the certificates issued today shall be withdrawn or suspended if the products fail to meet the minimum requirements, or the companies abuse the logo and number,” he said.

Okeke said SON could not afford to compromise its mandate and enjoined all manufacturing companies in the country, especially the Small- and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs), to strictly adhere to the tenets of standards and quality.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Emmanuel Husseni, Coordinator, Anambra Office 1, congratulated the certificated companies for their efforts at meeting the required standards.

Husseni assured of SON’s continued support for indigenous companies in the Awka Area office to enable them attain better competitiveness.

Lagos. Oct. 15, 2023: The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said that the world is moving towards achieving one Standard for products.

This was disclosed in Lagos during a walk to commemorate the World Standard Day by Engr Timothy Abner, Director, Human Resources, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

 Abner said that the theme, “Shared Vision for a Better World”, was very clear because it was a vision that was shared with the rest of the world for better standard in the whole world .

“That world is sharing a vision to make sure that the same standard exists wherever you are in the world.

“We have had a lot of goods moving from one country to another and of course we have the international standard to be able to ensure that such goods are accepted wherever they go.

“In Nigeria, we want to key into this vision by making sure that we have standard for everything,” he said.

Speaking, Engr Yahaya Buka, Director, Standard Development, said that SON was united to fight sub-standard products that have a lot of negative things such as unproductivity and money lost.

Buka said that SON was carrying all stakeholders along in this fight so that they would understand the advantages of standard.

He said that when standards are implemented, it was for the benefits of all.

Also, Mr Manji Lawal, Director, Inspectorate and Compliance department, said that standard was very important in life, disclosing  “without standard, we cannot determine the quality of any product.”

Lawal said that that the compliance and inspectorate department carries out inspection of products mostly imported and then ensures that they comply with the requirements of standards.

He said that standard in every aspect of life was important because without standard, there would be no basis for judging what the quality of the product was.

Mrs Foluso Bolaji, Director, Public Relations, said that the whole world was moving to just adopting one standard so that if you move goods from Nigeria to any part of the world, it will be the same standard.

Bolaji said that the advantages of these was that Nigerians could actually embrace standard so that when they subscribe to federal organisation for mandatory accessment programme, they could export their products in line with the president theme on home-grown economy.

Minna, Oct. 8,  2023: The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has seized products which have expired since seven years displayed for sale in Minna market.

Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf, State Coordinator (Niger 1), SON, said on Saturday in Minna that some of the products had expired seven years ago, but were still being sold to unsuspecting consumers.

She made the declaration at a ceremony where SON presented the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate to Kiara Rice Mills located in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger.

Yusuf listed products seized to include teas, chocolate drinks, juices, yoghurt, biscuits, coffee, margarine, milk, bath soaps and gels, body and face creams, packaged powdered beans, and maize, amongst others.

“We went to some sachet water industries and seized their water filters and pipes which were overgrown with algae.

“We cannot allow such sachet water producers to continue to use those filters to filter water for the public to consume.

“We also seized stickers of a reputable product from another manufacturer who intended to use them to market his fake or substandard products,’’ she said.

Yusuf expressed concern at the high rate of circulation of expired, uncertified, unregistered and substandard products in market places.

“It is worrisome that the Nigerian market is still flooded with expired, uncertified, unregistered, and substandard products regularly used by undiscerning citizens.

“Most of these products that are being seized have expired for as long as seven years and they are still in circulation in markets,’’ she said.

Yusuf assured that SON had stepped up its compliance action to ensure that markets were sanitised of expired and substandard products.

“We will make sure that every product that is not up to standard or expired will not be sold in the market,’’ she said.

Similarly, Alhaji Sale Babaji, Director, North Central zone of SON, enjoined the public to always inform the organisation about expired or unregistered products in market places.

He explained that such information was necessary to enable SON to apprehend those involved, prosecute them and destroy the products to safeguard public health.

Expired beverages, cosmetics among others confiscated by SON recently in Minna.

Babaji represented SON’s Director-General, Malam Farouk Salim, while making the appeal at the presentation of the MANCAP certificate to Kiara Rice Mills for adhering to standard.

Babaji observed that SON’s officers often faced challenges in discharging their duties.

“Confiscation costs SON a lot of money and sometimes we are attacked and our cars are vandalised when we go out to confiscate fake, expired or substandard products.

“That is why we are appealing to the public to inform us about these products when they see them in the markets so that we can act fast,’’ he said.

He also cautioned food processors and vendors to desist from using toxic chemicals as preservatives to improve the aesthetics of their food items.

SON urged all Nigerians to patronise only SON-certified made-in-Nigeria products with the MANCAP logo.

It urged all manufacturers in Niger to submit their products for MANCAP certification to ensure increased patronage and to avoid facing legal action.

Abuja, Oct. 1, 2023:The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has reiterated its commitment towards ensuring  standardised products for the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians.

The SON Director-General, Mallam Farouk Salim said this while briefing newsmen after destroying some substandard tyres in Abuja.

Salim,  represented by the Director, North-Central Region of SON, Sale Babaji, said the essence of destroying the tyres was to deter importers of substandard products into the country.

According to him, the organisation had tried to fine importers of substandard products but the measure did not work, that is why it resorted to destroying the tyres.

“We are here to destroy substandard tyres that we have detained from the importers worth millions of naira.

“ It is not our wish to do that but we are doing that to serve as a deterrent to the importers.

We have warned severally but they refused to abide by our instruction.

“So we are doing this exercise to serve as a deterrent so that those who are bringing in substandard, to destroy our economy, destroy lives, will not be permitted to do that,” he said.

According to Salim, it is dangerous to use substandard tyres for our lorries, cars, buses or  private cars as it will lead to loss of lives and properties.

He said: “We are conscious of the environmental hazards but we are doing it just to serve as deterrent.

“That is why we engaged the services of Abuja Municipal Council (AMAC) to give us their site to do the destruction.

“A lot of tyres have been destroyed today worth millions, we have gathered them from various locations  in the North Central before carrying out the exercise. “

According to the director-general,  the importers and consumers have been adequately sensitised on the effects of substandard tyres but they still engage in it.

Also, the FCT State Coordinator of SON, Isiaku Gamajira, said SON was able to carry out the exercise due to intense enforcement, in spite of strong resistance by the importers.

Gamajira said: “Our mandate in line with SON Act 2015, mandates that we can cease and even destroy substandard  tyres that is why we are doing this.

On recognising quality tyres, he advised consumers to do physical examination first before purchasing tyre to ensure it is smooth without any bend.

“Secondly, tyres have date of expiry, if u look, you will see a four digit letter. For instance 5023, means it was  manufactured on the 50th week of year 2023.

“And in Nigeria, tyre is expected to expire after four years. That is why the road safety which are our major stakeholders decide to do tyre inspection  during their patrol.

Gamajira said SON was engaging in lots of surveillance to ensure consumers get value for their money and also ensure safety of lives.

He said: “We have done classification, there are fairly used tyres which the organisation have  totally frowned at, expired tyres and substandard tyres.

“So Nigerians should try to look out for the best of tyres , do physical examination, check the expiry date and ensure it is not fairly used for their safety.”

According to Gamajira, SON has lots of schemes in place to ensure products that come into Nigeria or are locally manufactured have gone through the required quality checks.

He said the organisation had two key policies, the SONCAP for imported products and MANCAP for the locally manufactured products.

He therefore urged consumers to demand for both certificates when necessary to ensure the quality of the products they purchases.

“There is another scheme called Product Registration, this is for us to have a data base and for the purpose of traceability of products that are Imported.

“You will see SON logo, each of that product that is registered have a unique number , so take time to look out for the SON logo and possibly ask for verified  documentation.

“For the locally manufactured products, you will see a logo that has two eagles on it, it is green in colour. Once your product is verified you will have mancap certification.

“And to step up that , the management  came up with a scheme called Product Authentication Mark (PAM).

“As soon as you see the PAM sticker and you scratch , there is a number (short code that you will see and send and a reply will come to you that the product is of good quality,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Jubril Isah, a Principal Officer at SON, said the exercise would continue because the mandate of SON was to safeguard lives and properties of citizens at all times.

 “That is the mandate given to us by the National Assembly. The act is there, and we are going to follow it up,” he said.

Enugu, Sept. 1, 2023: The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Friday, presented the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certification for quality products production to 14 manufacturing companies in Enugu.

Presenting the MANCAP certificates, the Director-General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim said the application of Standards in business whether manufacturing or production, “is to create value and the value created makes businesses connect seamlessly irrespective of location”.

Salim, represented by the Director of SON in the  South-East, Mr Fred Akingbesote, noted that in its standardization and quality assurance drive, SON had put in place policies and initiatives to ensure value was created for the overall sustenance of the consumers and country at large.

“Some of these policies and initiatives are seen in the services SON provides to MSMEs, which includes but is not limited to: Subsidized sale of Standards to MSMEs; subsidized certification charges; and subsidized laboratory testing charges.

“SONCAP-Import Permit at subsidized service charge to support the importation of raw materials and equipment; inclusion in all Technical Committees on Standards elaboration; and recommendation of MSMEs with certified products for financing,” he said.

He said that MANCAP remained a mandatory product certification scheme to ensure that all locally manufactured products in the country conformed to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) before such products were presented for sale in the market or exported.

According to him, following the issuance of MANCAP Certificates to your companies, we will undertake periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testing.

This, he said, was to ensure that the products certified today continued to meet the requirements of the relevant standards that had earned the establishments of these certifications.

“The products are to be revalidated every three years, and it is of utmost importance that you note that the certificates issued today shall be withdrawn or suspended if the products fail to meet the minimum requirements.

“I will like to use this forum to call on all manufacturers in the state who are yet to be certified to contact our office and begin the process of getting their certification.

“Some of the benefits of the MANCAP certification include: enhanced business growth and maximization as well as encouraging production of excellent quality products and healthy competition through consistent compliance to relevant standards.

“Encouraging continual improvement on quality of products and production processes by manufacturing industries in the country and promoting global competitiveness among domestic manufacturers among others,” he added.

In an address, the State Coordinator of SON, Mr Francis Onyeji noted that the MANCAP certificate stipulated that “your products, haven been subjected to conformity assessment and testing processes fulfilled all the requirements of their respective relevant standards, and therefore certified.”

Onyeji commended the effort of the awardees, adding that the benefits of being a MANCAP licencee cannot be over-emphasized as the general public remained confident that any product with the MANCAP logo is of “high quality”.

Speaking, Mrs Blessing Okeke, Project Officer of Bank of Industry (BOI) lauded SON for its commitment to quality in the country, while calling on manufacturers to partner BOI to expand their businesses, increase productivity and employment within the country.

One of the awardees, Mr Kingsley Atuh, representing Savanah Standard Roofing Ltd, thanked SON for educating and following-up the manufacturing process of the product of the company he represented to attain international standard and making it exportable.

The 14 companies and the products that  got certifie included: Ecaison Ventures Nigeria Ltd. manufacturers of Ecaison Table Water; Star Roof Ventures Ltd. manufacturers of Star Roofing Sheet; Obika Industries Limited manufacturers of Bejoy Table Water.

Others are: Justice Papermill Industries Ltd. manufacturers of Justice Jumbo Reel; Onwudiwe Electrical Enterprises manufacturers of Rockdave Table Water; Marvel Nisi Stores Ltd. manufacturers of Marvel Nisi Bread; and Iykon Integrated Services Ltd. manufacturers of Steph-Joe Parboiled Rice.

The rest are: T.U Woods Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. manufacturers of Rovia Table Water; Gibdoz Enterprise manufacturers of Prisca Soya Bean Powder; Sapphire Ceramics Nigeria Ltd. manufacturers of Sapphire and Yaqak Ceramic Tiles; and Chimes Aluminium Ltd manufacturers of roofing sheets.

Savanah Standard Roofing Ltd. manufacturers of Savanah Standard Roofing Sheet; Sunchi Integrated Farms Ltd. manufacturers of Sunchi Soya Oil; and Sunzern Aluminium Products Ltd. manufacturers of roofing sheets.