In view of its mandate of protecting Nigerians from fake and substandard products, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has again reiterated the importance of patronizing only products that have been issued with its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) Certificate.
SON Kaduna State Coordinator, Mr. Danlami E. Datti gave the warning, while delivering his welcome address at the presentation of MANCAP Certificates to five companies in Kaduna on Thursday.
According to him, the scheme is also aimed at protecting genuine manufacturers from unhealthy competition from producers of fake and substandard products.
“I welcome you all to the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) Certificate presentation as part of our corporate strategies to bring the advantages of standardization within the reach of all consumers.
“MANCAP was put in place by SON in 2006 to ensure that all manufactured products conform to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) prior to sales in the markets or export. The scheme is aimed at protecting genuine manufacturers against unhealthy practices such as production of sub-standard products, faking and counterfeiting as well as unfair competition in trade,” he added.
He said that the objectives of the MANCAP scheme includes ensuring that products comply with NIS standards before being allowed into the market.
“It is also aimed at preventing dumping of unsafe/counterfeit products, promoting quality awareness and inspiring confidence in consumers,” he added.
In an interview after receiving his MANCAP Certificate, Chairman of Mubarak Global Resources praised SON for its dual role of protecting manufacturers and consumers.
He said that his company will not go below the standards that has earned them the MANCAP Certificate.
The companies that were presented with the MANCAP certificates are Raudah Farms Ltd who were presented with two different certificates, BAM Chemicals and Paints Nigeria Ltd, Richifa Blocks Industry and Mubarak Global Resources
Top dignitaries that witnessed the presentation included the Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), represented by the Executive Secretary, Lawal Abdulkadir, Kaduna State Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Tourism represented by Hayet L. Aliyu and Regional Coordinator, North West, SON, Dauda Yakubu.
