Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)
Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), formerly known as the Nigeria Standards organization is the government agency responsible for setting and maintaining standards for products either manufactured in or imported into Nigeria. Over the past years, the agency has created and improved on existing standards in various industries including Chemical Technology Standards, Food Technology Standards, Textile Technology Standards, Mechanical Engineering Standards and others.
Established in December 1971, SON operates in accordance to the specific functions relating to its formation. They include: compiling an inventory of products requiring standardization, and Nigerian standards specification, organizing tests and ensuring that companies/manufacturing firms comply with the standards designed and approved by the council, registering and regulating standards, marks and specifications amongst other functions.
Through the SON Product Certification service, the organization ensures that locally manufactured products in Nigeria provide the required degree of satisfaction to consumers through compliance with government policies on standardization and conformity assessment. The purpose of the Product Certification Service is to promote the production of excellent quality products and drive healthy competition through consistent compliance to relevant standards. The organization operate on four main product certification schemes which are:
* Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP)
* Voluntary Product Certification Scheme (NIS Mark of Quality)
* Nigerian Quality Award scheme (NQAS)
* Product-Type Certification for Exports.
Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP)
The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) is a mandatory product certification scheme set up by SON to ensure that all locally manufactured products in Nigeria conform to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), before the products are sold in the country or exported.
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Voluntary Product Certification Scheme (NIS Mark of Quality)
This is a voluntary product certification scheme put in place by SON to reward excellent product outcomes through consistent compliance to the requirements of the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards during production and on sale.
Nigerian Quality Award scheme (NQAS)
The Nigerian Quality Award is another voluntary award scheme by SON to recognize and reward exceptional product performance through compliance with specific criteria and established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) approved by SON.
Product-Type Certification for Exports
This scheme ensures that locally manufactured products meant for export conforms with the relevant NIS as well as the quality requirements of the importing countries including packaging.
Committed to delivering superior quality service, SON has certified over 2000 products and has organized more than 300 training and technical advisory sessions for manufacturers, exporters and importers on the understanding and use of standards for their own gain.
Learn more about Standards Organization of Nigeria at www.son.gov.ng.