By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has tasked manufacturers of goods and services on maintaining quality even as the Agency presented the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate to 15 companies.

The companies that got the MANCAP certification included: JOMAP Consul Nig. Ltd, Aqua Rapha Investment Nig. Ltd, De-Caspian Construction Ltd, NK-JOE Enterprises, Salome Angel Coy Ltd, Carlzy Nig. Ltd and Sharon Paints & Chemical Company Nig. Ltd.

The others are: D-Hap Integrated Services Ltd, Aqua Don Ventures, Intercolor Industries Ltd, Chineky Paints, Iykodo Ventures Nig. Ltd, Alpha Foam Ltd, De Premium Gold Foods and ZENDA International Ltd, who received the SON Product Identification Scheme (SONPIS) Certification.

Presenting the certificates in Enugu on Thursday, Director General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said that MANCAP is a mandatory product certification scheme put in place by SON to ensure that manufacturers continue to deliver quality goods and services.

Okeke, represented by Mr Chukwuma Aharanwa, Director, SON South-East Regional Operation, noted that MANCAP ensures that all locally manufactured products conform to relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) before such products are presented for sale in the market or exported.

According to him, following the issuance of MANCAP certificates to your companies, we will undertake periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testing of your products.

?This is to ensure that the products certified today continue to meet the requirements of the relevant standards that have earned your establishments these certifications.

?The products are to be revalidated every three years and it is of utmost importance that you note that the certificates issued today shall be withdrawn or suspended if the products fail to meet the minimum requirements.

?This goes for both revalidating products and newly certified company?s products,? he said.

The director general said that some of the benefits of the MANCAP certification included: enhanced business growth and maximization; and production of excellent quality products and healthy competition through consistent compliance to relevant standards.

?MANCAP encourages continual improvement on quality of products and production processes; it promotes global competitiveness among domestic manufacturers and promotes industrial/economic development by ensuring that Made-in-Nigeria products meet the requirements of the relevant Nigeria Industrial Standards,? he said.

Okeke revealed that to meet Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at their point of standardisation needs, the SON had initiated a scheme known as SONPIS, adding that the new scheme was designed to provide support for MSMEs.

?SON Product Identification Scheme (SONPIS) Certification is mapped out to address key challenges faced by MSMEs such as access to relevant standards, insufficient testing facilities and to strengthen their capacity to comply with the MANCAP.

?Through mentorship, fostering market-driven standards and encouraging voluntary compliance, SONPIS Certification is the only way by which MSMEs can explore and enjoy opportunities of the free trade agreement,? he added.

One of the recipients of the certificate award, Mrs Nkiruka Nnamani, Manager of NK-Joe Enterprises, appreciated SON for the certificate and gradual tutelage on getting all materials used in the factory to international standard.

?As a bread and confectionery producer, SON assisted my factory to attain international standards both in quality and packaging of all products produced and leading to greater customers? satisfaction,? Nnamani said.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Stella Aneke, Manager of Chineky Paints, assured that the certification would encourage her company to continue on the standard and quality it had been known for all these years.

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