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By Madu Obi
The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) has reaffirmed its commitment to ridding Nigerian markets of fake, counterfeit, and substandard products.
At a stakeholders' workshop in Onitsha, SON's Director General, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, emphasized the organization's resolve to combat counterfeiters and protect the economy.
Okeke, who was represented by Mrs. Folusho Bolaji, highlighted SON's mandate to eliminate substandard products and improve quality of life through standardization and quality assurance.
According to him, SON's primary objective is to sanitize Nigerian markets of fake, counterfeit, and substandard products, protect genuine businesses and consumers, promote local brands and attract investments, and enhance quality of life.
He explained that SON had implemented various strategies to combat counterfeiting, including the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for locally produced goods, the SON Offshore Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) for imported products, and the Product Authentication Mark (PAM) for consumer assurance.
He said that SON collaborates with internationally accredited firms to assist exporters and importers and operates internationally recognized laboratories and metrology services for export promotion.
In his presentation, the Director, Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate, Mr. Pious Manji, emphasized that combating substandard products requires collective effort, equating the fight to combating crime.
He stressed that the war against counterfeit products should be waged by all, including stakeholders, traders, and consumers.
The workshop, attended by over 500 traders, market leaders, and executives of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), aimed to raise awareness on the activities of SON
The President General of ASMATA, Chief Dr. Humphrey Anuna, expressed gratitude to SON for its efforts to sanitize markets and promised traders' support and collaboration to achieve the objective.
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