By Charles Okonji
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON has on Tuesday in Lagos, launched a new Mandatory Conformity Accessment Programme (MANCAP) certification as a tool for market access and to promote competitiveness of Nigerian products, especially in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Director General, SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke who disclosed this at the launch, noted that it will facilitate trade and export growth.
Dr. Okeke stated that SON plays critical role in facilitating imports and exports as it helps in trade barriers.
According to him; “SON’s certification services builds investors confidence through quality assurance and promoting a business regulatory environment.
Emphasizing the importance of the new MANCAP certification, the SON DG said that 6-month grace has been issued for all manufactured products in Nigeria to carry its new logo, adding that it symbolizes commitment.
Okeke reaffirmed passion on the need to eliminate fake and counterfeit products from the nation’s market.
He pointed out that the rebranding of the MANCAP logo is not only a change of aesthetics, saying that it represents a new dedication to quality assurance and a proactive response to the evolving changing challenges confronting the agency, including the pressing need to combat counterfeiting and streamline the process for manufacturers.
He said the initiative is of paramount importance in promoting a level playing field for manufacturers, adding that one of his key focus or area is to improve services through technology and automation.
“We are also committed to safeguarding the interests of our esteemed consumers and ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products on the global stage.
In his response, the Director General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir proposed an extension of the deadline, appealling that six month grace period was not enough for manufacturers.
Ajayi-Kadir, noted that the launch speaks to the fact that the Nigeria needs to deepen confidence in its standards, stressing, “for us to be able to proudly demonstrate that our products are indeed of quality standards, since we are not insulated from the geopolitics going on around the world from 2.0 non-tariff barriers, standard, and technical barriers to trade.
“I believe that it is in order to give us credibility that SON is re-branding, ensuring that we carry a logo that is typical of the quality of our products.
“Now this is where it is very important that we are able to streamline our standardization process such that they become acceptable across the continent.”
In his presentation, the head of MANCAP, Mr Akinware Ayodele, noted that the new logo represents a renewed commitment to excellence, a fresh perspective to the agency’s mission.
“It symbolizes our dedication to innovation, customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
“This launch is not just about unveiling a new logo. It’s about reaffirming our values and principles.
It’s about our passion for quality, Our commitment to excellence and our determination to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.”
