Substandard Products: SON Pledges To Institutionalise The Culture Of Standardisation  

Substandard Products: SON Pledges To Institutionalise Standardisation

BY PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA, Abuja

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has pledged to Institutionalise the culture of standardisation in the country’s industries.

Director-general of SON, Malam Farouk Salim, who stated this at a press conference to kick-off events for the 50th anniversary of the organisation, in Abuja, said “We are here to stamp out substandard goods, and SON is here as a partner to help them avoid substandard good and also for our industries to realise the importance of following standards.”

The DG stated that the organisation had adopted 213 industrial standards to checkmate the proliferation of substandard products in the country and that over 168 new standards were approved by the organisation for two years.

He noted that SON was established at a time when the country needed a regulatory body to lead the process of institutionalising standardisation as a measurable process for quality assessment, adding that the organisation is structured to lead every process that surrounds the preparation of standards relating to products, measurements, materials and processes.

On the golden jubilee celebration, Salim said the organisation had put together a historical compendium of the last 50 years of evolutionary journey as a regulatory authority.

“This celebration is a moment of stock taking and introspection with a view to charting the course of our giant strides into the future,”: he said.

The SON boss explained that the celebration encompasses book launch, exhibitions by companies with Mandatory Conformity Assessment Program (MANCAP), awards to deserving staff and companies who have distinguished themselves in strict adherence to SON ethical standards and regulatory frameworks.

“Just as the past has been presented to us on a golden plate, we shall strive to bring the future to generations to come in platinum by bequeathing to Nigeria, a faultless standardization custom that will stand the test of time,’’ he added.