The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is the statutory body responsible for standardization and quality assurance in Nigeria. Established by the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 to improve consumer confidence and confirm that products and services meet specified standards.
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About SON
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) was created by a law known as Act Number 56 in December 1971. This law started functioning on January 1, 1970, making SON the main authority for setting and enforcing standards in Nigeria.
And ever since, the law has been changed several times, with the latest update coming from Act No. 14 of 2015. SON is guided by the Standards Council of Nigeria, which oversees its management and policies.
The Director General is the head of SON and handles its daily operations. SON guarantees that products, whether made in Nigeria or imported, meet certain quality standards.
The Nigerian Minister has the power to direct SON and make sure that these standards are enforced. If a product is found to be faulty, SON can make the supplier recall it.
The Standards Council has the authority to set the standards for different products, services, and processes in Nigeria, providing that everything aligns with what is legally required. SON also works with different bodies, such as testing labs, to confirm quality.
As part of its mandate, SON oversees a range of functions, including testing the quality of products, enforcing standards, and certifying goods. SON also conducts product surveillance, both for locally made goods and imports.
SONCAP is a program that checks the quality of imported goods before they are shipped to Nigeria to confirm they meet all requirements. Additionally, SON helps boost the local economy by promoting Nigerian products and ensuring that they can compete globally through product certification for export.
Through its operations at the ports and borders, SON helps to prevent substandard goods from entering the Nigerian market. This way, both consumer safety and economic interests are protected.
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What Are The Key Functions Of The Standards Organisation Of Nigeria (SON)?
Enforcing Product Standards
SON is in charge of setting the standards that products and services in Nigeria must meet. It creates rules that specify the minimum requirements for product quality, safety, and performance.
This makes sure that all products in the market meet basic expectations. SON also updates these standards regularly to stay in line with international best practices and the latest technology.
Quality Assurance And Certification
SON ensures that products meet these set standards through thorough quality checks. For products being imported into Nigeria, SON uses the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP). This process checks products before they enter the Nigerian market, making sure they meet the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
And, for products made In Nigeria, SON uses the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Program (MANCAP), which certifies local products to show they meet the necessary standards. These certification processes include physical inspections, lab tests, and audits of manufacturing processes.
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Market Surveillance And Consumer Protection
To protect consumers, SON carries out market inspections to find unsafe or substandard products. These routine checks help prevent harmful goods from being sold to the public.
SON also handles complaints from consumers regarding the quality of products. This process makes sure that manufacturers are following safety rules, and it protects the public from faulty or dangerous goods.
Training And Capacity Building
SON provides training to help local businesses and manufacturers improve the quality of their products. Through workshops and seminars, SON educates businesses on quality management and how to meet regulatory standards.
SON also offers technical help to small businesses, showing them how to improve their production processes and the overall quality of their goods.
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Collaboration With Stakeholders
SON works with different groups to make sure standards are being followed properly. It partners with industry associations, government agencies, and international organizations to make sure local standards match global best practices.
SON also provides advice to businesses on how to develop better products, control quality, and follow compliance strategies. This helps Nigerian businesses compete both locally and internationally.
Research And Development
SON is also involved in research to improve product standards. By studying market trends and consumer needs, SON develops new standards that address the latest challenges in product safety and quality. This ongoing research assures that SON’s standards are always relevant and meet the needs of the Nigerian people.
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Departments And Units In Standard Organisation Of Nigeria (SON)
Here are all the departments and units In the Standard Organisation of Nigeria:
- ICT
- Finance & Accounts
- HR
- Inspectorate & Compliance
- Laboratory Services
- Legal/Council
- Marketing
- Management System Certification
- Metrology
- Public Relations
- Regional Operations
- Internal Audit
- Planning, Research & Statistics
- Procurement
- General Services
- Product Certification
- Standards Development
- Training Services