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).
What is SON?
SON stands for ‘Standards Organisation of Nigeria’. It is the apex standardization body in Nigeria. See details here
Is SON a private or a government organisation?
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 sub-standard products in the market. ?
Yes. The mandatory ‘MANCAP’ and ‘SONCAP’ schemes ensures that both locally manufactured and imported products comply with the minimum applicable standard.
What is ISO and NIS certification?
ISO means ‘International Organisation for Standardisation’.
The ISO certification is awarded to a process, system, or person has met all the applicable requirement 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 product with consistently proving record of meeting standard requirements after passing through rigorous analytical process. The awardees of NIS mark are consistently monitored to ensure that they retain their quality level, otherwise, the award is withdrawn.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 is MANCAP and SONCAP?
MANCAP – Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme – A mandatory programme to which all locally manufactured products in Nigeria must comply with before the product can be allowed to be distributed to the market.
SONCAP – A mandatory off-shore conformity assessment programme to which all regulated importer product must comply with.
In which of the SON offices can one go for SONCAP related issues?
SON’s Headquarter, Abuja, Lagos and other SON Offices nationwide or visit www.soncap.com.
SON Product Registration scheme is mandatory for all SON’s regulated products as mandated by SON Act 56 of 1971, 20 of 1984, 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 organisation?
Yes – SON Act 56 of 1971, 20 of 1984, 18 of 1990 as amended empower her to carry out this function
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 must meet 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 safe-guarding the life and properties of consumers through various schemes which the importers and manufacturers are familiar with.
YES – SON enabling Act empower 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 sub-standards products in the market?
There are still substandard products in the market due to activities of some dishonest individual who smuggled substandard product into the country.
Some importers also deliberately request that foreign manufacturer manufacture products below standard specification for profit purpose.
SON is working to bring the level of substandard products to manageable level.
What is the role of SON in the establishment of SME’s?
SON play major roles in the development of SMEs through the provision of training, standard specifications and advice of products improvement.
SON also have 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
Functions of SON
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is vested with particular tasks pursuant to section 4 of the Act, which includes, but are not limited to, the following:
- to establish a list of products that need to be standardized, as well as Nigerian standards specifications;
- to conduct tests and take all other steps necessary to guarantee that companies/manufacturing businesses adhere to the Council’s requirements;
- to register and control standards, markings, and specifications;
- to evaluate the reliability of facilities, supplies, and products in Nigeria, and to design quality assurance systems, including factor, product, and laboratory certification;
- to create testing techniques for materials, equipment, and commodities purchased by the federal or state government or corporate businesses;
- preparing and disseminating standard samples
- build and manage laboratories and institutions required to carry out the Act’s functions.
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: www.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: No.1 4, 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
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, Kastina 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]
Nassarawa 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: No.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 PortHarcourt- 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 State.
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 State.
Phone No.: 0803 313 9563
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
SON Chemical Technology Laboratory, Lagos
Address: 13/14, Victoria Arobieke Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, Lagos State.
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]