THE Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has vowed to impose strict sanctions on manufacturers of products that fail its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme, MANCAP. Osita Aboloma, director-general, SON, issued the warning in Abuja during the award of MANCAP certificates to 16 companies that scaled through the certification exercise.

He said MANCAP was a mandatory scheme borne out of the conviction that all locally manufactured products should conform to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards before they would be presented for sale in the market or exported.

Aboloma explained that the programme commenced in 2006 to ensure compliance of made-in-Nigeria products with the minimum requirements of the NIS code of practice. He stated that the MANCAP standard compliance would promote fair competition in both domestic and international markets.

This, he added, would help to ensure the safety and health of consumers in the overall interest of promoting economic and industrial development of the country. He stated that with the award of the certificate to the companies, SON would continue to monitor their products through periodic factory inspections and testing to ensure consistent compliance to the NIS.

“I call on all awardees to endeavour to maintain and improve on the processes that earned you this mark. I urge you to be on your guard as your products are being closely monitored in the market. Note that any violation of the product certification terms and conditions will attract serious consequences, including seizure and destruction of the products, possible suspension, or outright withdrawal of the certification.”

The SON director general commended the companies for passing the test, which he described as a very rigorous exercise.

—  May 29, 2017 @ 01:00 GMT