The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it has intensified efforts to rid the country of substandard products, especially in the South-East region.
Mr Chukwuma Aharanwa, Head, South-East Regional Operation of SON in Enugu, said this in Abakaliki on Tuesday during a walk to mark the “2025 World Standard Day.”
Supreme news reports that the event was tagged, “Nigeria, Walk for Standards. Share vision for a Better World.”
The walk started from Abakaliki Township Stadium and terminated at Margret Umahi’s International market.
Aharanwa noted that substandard products had posed a significant threat to the health and safety of citizens.
He said the agency was committed to ensuring that all products sold in Nigeria markets met the required standards.
“Today is the World Standard Day and it’s been celebrated all-over the world by the national standard body.
“We came out today to join the world to celebrate the same in the south-east region. We have come to create awareness against substandard products and standardisation activities.
“We want to tell the people to steer clear of substandard products. There is a need to avoid such products that could be dangerous to health.
“We will not tolerate any of such products that pose a risk to the health and safety of people. So, this is a great opportunity for us to educate the masses,” he said.
The head of operation said that they had put in place so many measures in the zone and Nigeria at large, to ensure the markets are free from substandard products.
“We have introduced what we call Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) and other methods to identify standard products.
“MANCAP is for locally manufactured products in Nigeria.
“SONCAP ensures imported products meet Nigerian standards for consumer safety and fair trade. MANCAP also certifies that locally made products meet the same quality and safety requirements,” he said.
Mrs Maryrose Ugwueche, the SON Coordinator in Ebonyi, said that the organisation had worked so hard to promote standard goods in the market.
She said that the directorate, in an effort to ensure standardisation in Ebonyi and Nigeria, had carried out different sensitisation programmes for stakeholders.
“A lot of companies have obtained our MANCAP certificates which prove that their products are certified.
“So, we are moving to ensure that all products are certified before being taken to the market,” Ugwueche said.