Standard Organisation of Nigeria

Learn everything you need to know about the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON. Check out the answers to some frequently asked questions about the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON). This blog post delves into the functions, importance, regulatory framework, challenges, and future outlook of SON.

What is SON?

SON stands for Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is the apex body responsible for standardization and quality assurance in Nigeria. Established to ensure products and services meet international and national standards, SON plays a critical role in consumer protection, industrial growth, and economic development.

History and Establishment

SON was established by the Enabling Act No. 56 of 1971, which has since undergone several amendments to strengthen its mandate. The organization operates under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment and is responsible for formulating and enforcing quality standards across various industries in Nigeria.

Functions of SON

The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is vested with particular tasks pursuant to section 4 of the Act.

SON’s primary functions include:

Standard Development: SON formulates and updates Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) to ensure compliance with global best practices.
Product Certification: The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Program (MANCAP) certifies locally manufactured products, while the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) ensures that imported goods meet quality requirements.
Quality Assurance and Testing: SON operates laboratories for testing and verifying product quality to protect consumers from substandard goods.
Market Surveillance and Enforcement: The organization monitors and removes counterfeit and substandard products from the Nigerian market.
Consumer Protection: SON educates consumers on quality standards and ensures they have access to safe and reliable products.
Metrology Services: It standardizes weights, measurements, and calibration for consistency across industries.
Training and Capacity Building: SON provides technical assistance and training to businesses to enhance compliance with standards.

Importance of SON in Nigeria

SON’s role is vital in various sectors, including:

Public Safety: Ensuring only safe products are available in the market.
Industrial Growth: Promoting local manufacturing competitiveness.
International Trade: Facilitating Nigerian exports by ensuring products meet global standards.
Economic Development: Boosting investor confidence by enforcing compliance.

Regulatory Framework

SON operates under several laws, including:

SON Act No. 14 of 2015: This law gives SON the authority to enter premises, inspect products, and enforce standards.
Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS): These are sector-specific guidelines that industries must follow.
MANCAP and SONCAP Regulations: These frameworks regulate locally produced and imported products, respectively.

Challenges Facing SON

Despite its achievements, SON faces several challenges:

Inadequate Funding: Insufficient resources limit its enforcement capabilities.
Smuggling and Counterfeit Products: Illegal imports undermine SON’s quality control efforts.
Limited Public Awareness: Many consumers and businesses are unaware of the importance of standardization.
Weak Enforcement Mechanisms: Gaps in legislation sometimes hinder strict compliance.

Future Outlook and Recommendations

To enhance its efficiency, SON can:

Strengthen collaboration with law enforcement agencies to tackle smuggling.
Increase public awareness campaigns on product quality and consumer rights.
Improve digital tracking of certified products to curb counterfeiting.
Advocate for more funding to enhance research, testing facilities, and enforcement mechanisms.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on SON

Is SON a private or a government organization?

SON is a Federal Government agency.

How can one identify products certified by SON?

Products certified by SON can be recognized by the certification marks inscribed on them or their packaging.

The two certification marks are for ‘MANCAP’ and ‘NIS.’

What is the meaning of NIS?

NIS stands for ‘Nigerian Industrial Standard’. This is the prefix given to all standards elaborated as Nigerian standards.

It is also included before other adapted or adopted national or international standards.

Is SON actually reducing the infiltration of substandard products in the market. ?

Yes. The mandatory ‘MANCAP’ and ‘SONCAP’ schemes ensure that both locally manufactured and imported products comply with the minimum applicable standard.

What are ISO and NIS certifications?

ISO means ‘International Organization for Standardization.’.
The ISO certification is awarded to a process, system, or person that has met all the applicable requirements for a specific standard. A typical ISO certification is the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System (QMS).

The ‘NIS’ certification is the award given to locally manufactured products with a consistently proven record of meeting standard requirements after passing through a rigorous analytical process. The awardees of the NIS mark are consistently monitored to ensure that they retain their quality level; otherwise, the award is withdrawn.

At what point can a company be eligible for the certification?

A company is eligible for certification if it can demonstrate that it has met all the criteria stated in a specific standard.

This will be verified through inspection or auditing of the process, system, and/or person.

What are MANCAP and SONCAP?

MANCAP – Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme—A mandatory programme with which all locally manufactured products in Nigeria must comply before the product can be allowed to be distributed to the market.

SONCAP – A mandatory offshore conformity assessment programme with which all regulated importer products must comply.

In which of the SON offices can one go for SONCAP-related issues?

SON’s Headquarters, Abuja, Lagos, and other SON Offices nationwide, or visit soncap.son.gov.ng

If I have a NAFDAC registration number, do I still need SON’s registration number?

The SON Product Registration scheme is mandatory for all SON’s regulated products as mandated by SON Act 56 of 1971, 20 of 1984, and 18 of 1990 as amended.

This is irrespective of the registration done by NAFDAC.

Does SON have standard laboratories for testing products?

Yes, Click here to find out more

How does SON carry out inspection, Can it also inspect government-owned organizations?

Yes—SON Act 56 of 1971, 20 of 1984, and 18 of 1990 as amended empower her to carry out this function

What is Quality Management Systems?

A quality management system (QMS) is a set of policies, processes, and procedures required for planning and execution (production/development/service) in the core business area of an organization to meet customer’s requirements.

ISO 9001:2008 is an example of a quality management system.

How can a company be certified?

For a company to be certified, it must address all the requirements of the standard being certified to.

For QMS, all requirements of ISO 9001:2008 must be addressed, specifically the ISO 9001 Documentation Requirements.

Why is SON not as popular as NAFDAC?

SON is very popular within the country. SON is also actively involved in safeguarding the life and properties of consumers through various schemes that the importers and manufacturers are familiar with.

Is it proper for SON to charge money for her services?

YES—The SON Enabling Act empowers her to charge for services rendered.

For all comparisons, tests or investigations performed by the Organisation under this Act, ….., a fee sufficient in each case to compensate the Organisation for the entire cost of the service rendered shall be charged according to a scale specified in rules made for that purpose by the Council.

Why do we still have substandard products in the market?

There are still substandard products in the market due to the activities of some dishonest individuals who smuggled substandard products into the country.

Some importers also deliberately request that foreign manufacturers manufacture products below standard specifications for profit purposes.

SON is working to bring the level of substandard products to a manageable level.

What is the role of SON in the establishment of SME’s?

SON plays a major role in the development of SMEs through the provision of training, standard specifications, and advice on product improvement.

SON also has a dedicated officer assigned to help in SMEs’ development and certification of their process.

Why is SON not at the ports like other agencies?

SON is presently close to all ports of import.

SON is operating from outside the port following the directive of the Federal Government that all agencies should operate from outside the port but should be called upon to participate in the clearance of regulated products.

It is the responsibility of consignees or the agent to notify SON of the clearance of SON’s regulated products at all ports of entry; failure to do this will attract stiff penalties.

How many laboratories does SON have, and where are they located?

Click here to read more about SON Laboratories

Standards Organisation of Nigeria Headquarters and Regional Offices

SON Corporate Headquarters, Abuja FCT

Address: 52, Lome Crescent, Zone 7, Wuse, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Phone No.: 0800 225 5766, 0705 699 0099
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: son.gov.ng

SON Operational Headquarters, Lagos

Address: 13/14, Victoria Arobieke Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, Lagos State.
Phone No.: 01 270 8247, 0815 939 0771

North East Regional Office

Address: No. 42, Aminu Galadima Way, Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State.
Phone No.: 0805 535 4732
E-mail: [email protected]

North West Regional Office

Address: No. 44, Kachia Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State.
Phone No.: 0803 408 5005, 08038906319, 08023091187
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

North Central Regional Office

Address: No. 14 Kitwe, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Phone No.: 08033436859
E-mail: [email protected]

South-East Regional Office

Address: 3 Proda Road, Engineering Lab., Emene, Industrial Layout – Enugu
Phone No.: 0803 409 2179
E-mail: [email protected]

South-South Regional Office

Address: Air Freighters House, KM 1 East/West Road (Aba Portharcourt Road) by YEMSONAT Filling Station, Port Harcourt, River State.
Phone No.: 0815 939 0785, 0803 453 3226
E-mail: [email protected]

South-West Regional Office

Address: 13/14, Victoria Arobieke Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, Lagos State.
Phone No.: 0817 942 6711, 0803 331 3591
Email: [email protected]

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) State Offices

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

Address: 14 Kitwit Street, Beside Water Board, Zone 4, Wuse, Abuja.
Phone No.: 0815 939 0775, 0803 786 1933
Email: [email protected]

Abia State

Address: Bank of Industry Building, No. 1, Asa Road/Constitution Crescent, Aba, Abia State.
Phone No.: 08033415668
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Adamawa State

Address: Adamawa Investment House, 1st floor, No.42, Galadima Aminu Way, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State.
Phone No.: 08036849790
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Akwa-Ibom State

Address: Rooms 323-325, Federal Secretariat Complex, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
Phone No.: 08033087506, 0805 603 8966
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Anambra State

Address: No 9, Prof. Ben Chuks Okeke Avenue, Opposite Government House, Onitsha -Enugu Expressway, Awka, Anambra State
Phone No.: 08033164100
Email: [email protected]

Bauchi State

Address: No. 5, Saadu Zungur Road, Opposite Ploycon Guest Inn, GRA, Bauchi, Bauchi State.
Phone No.: 0815 939 0761, 0805 255 2250, 07034662233
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Benue State

Address: No. 37, J.S. Tarka Road, (Old Barracks Road), Makurdi, Benue State.
Phone No.: 08036065216
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Borno State

Address: 38, Baga Road, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Phone No.: 08068098622, 0815 939 0786, 0803 308 7506
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Gombe State

Address: Opposite Military Quarter Guard, Biu Rd, Gombe, Gombe State.
Phone No.: 0802 805 4050, 08038436887
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Imo State

Address: Okigwe Road Secretariat, Owerri, Imo State
Phone No.: 08065636155, 0805 794 8424
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Kaduna State

Address: No. 44, Kachia Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State.
Phone No.: 08037003764
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Kano State & Jigawa State

Address: Federal Secretariat, P.M.B. 3493, Kano, Kano State.
Phone No.: 008033240676
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Katsina State

Address: Investment House, No. 61, IBB Way, Katsina, Katsina State.
Phone No.: 08034524901, 08025495000
Email: [email protected],

Kebbi State

Address: 2nd Floor, State Secretariat Complex, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Phone No.: 08052740503, 09069720120
Email: [email protected]

Kogi State

Address: Eniola Avenue by Juket Junction off Mount Patti Road G.R.A., Lokoja, Kogi State.
Phone No.: 08035189975, 08073500876
Email: [email protected]

Kwara State

Address: No. 5, Ahaman Pategi Street, Opposite King Stone Ground Suites, GRA Ilorin, Kwara State.
Phone No.: 08033020518
Email: [email protected]

Lagos State

Lagos Zone I

Address: 11 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
Phone No.: 08033248485, 0802 322 4762, 0802 290 0320
Email: [email protected]

Lagos Zone II

Address: 13/14, Victoria Arobieke Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos State.
Phone No.: 08020599447, 08023224762
Email: [email protected]

Lagos Zone III

Address: 785, Festac Link Road, Amuwo Odofin, Festac Town, Lagos State.
Phone No.: 0803 302 6536
Email: [email protected]

Nasarawa State

Address: Unity Area, off Nasarawa Housing Estate, Along Makurdi Road, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Phone No.: 08033482034, 07082361002
Email: [email protected]

Niger State

Address: Opposite Government Day Secondary School, Bosso Road, Minna, Niger State.
Phone No.: 08161587850
Email: [email protected]

Ogun State

Ogun Zone I

Address: 191, Iganmode Road, Opposite A.U.D. Comprehensive, (Premises of G ITECO), Ota.
Phone No.: 08177135071
Email: [email protected]

Ogun Zone II

Address: 6 Major Thompson Akinyemi Avenue, Off GRA Road, Sabo – Sagamu, Ogun State
Phone No.: 08173089528
Email: [email protected]

Ondo State

Address: Quarter 65, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State.
Phone No.: 08145334946, 08033667960
Email: [email protected]

Osun State

Address: 2, Ladipo Street, Gbongan Road, Oshogbo, Osun State.
Phone No.: 08036086164, 0803 454 0977, 0805 505 7931
Email: [email protected]

Oyo State

Address: 21 Osuntokun Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Phone No.: 08056915004, 08065999250
Email: [email protected]

Plateau State

Address: 10, Rayfield Road, Bukuru, P.M.B. 02102, Jos, Plateau State.
Phone No.: 0805 734 6449, 0803 317 3251
Email: [email protected]

Rivers State & Bayelsa State

Address: Air Freight House, KM 1 Port Harcourt-Onne Road, by Eleme Junction, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Phone No.: 0806 608 9166, 0805 206 1852
Email: [email protected]

Sokoto State/Zamfara State

Address: Rooms 357-359, 3rd Floor, Federal Secretariat Complex, Kaduna Road Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Phone No.: 0803 284 5565, 0805 433 4099
Email: [email protected]

Taraba State

Address: Barde Way, by NAFDAC Office, Jalingo, Taraba State.
Phone No.: 0803 242 4128
Email: [email protected]

Yobe State

Address: Federal Secretariat Complex, Gashua Road, Damaturu, Yobe State.
Phone No.: 08039551555, 08099099455
E-mail: [email protected]

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Laboratory Offices Nationwide

SON Electrical/Electronics Laboratory, Lagos

Address: 13/14, Victoria Arobieke Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, Lagos, Nigeria.
Phone No.: 0802 350 4698
Email: [email protected]

SON Food Technology Laboratory, Lagos

Address: 13/14, Victoria Arobieke Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, Lagos.
Phone No.: 0803 313 9563
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Chemical Technology Laboratory, Lagos

Address: 13/14, Victoria Arobieke Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, Lagos, Nigeria.
Phone No.: 08023029628
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

SON Textiles & Leather Laboratory, Kaduna

Address: No 7/9 Gwari Avenue Barnawa Kaduna, Kaduna State.
Phone No.: 0803 592 0845
Email: [email protected]

SON Engineering Laboratory, Enugu

Address: Emene Industrial Layout, Enugu, Enugu State.
Phone No.: 0701 558 5629, 0905 764 6791
Email: [email protected]

Conclusion

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria plays a crucial role in ensuring product quality, consumer safety, and industrial growth. While challenges exist, continuous improvements in regulatory frameworks, enforcement, and public awareness can enhance its effectiveness. As Nigeria progresses toward a more industrialized economy, SON’s role will remain indispensable in shaping a quality-conscious nation.