Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Lagos region, on Wednesday, presented 207 Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to 117 companies for 449 products in Lagos.
Speaking at the occasion, the SON Director-General, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said that MANCAP was a mandatory product certification scheme.
Okeke, who was represented by a Director in the organization, Mrs Teresa Ojomo, the scheme was designed to ensure that all locally manufactured products conformed to the regular Nigerian industrial standard before being exported.
“Following the issuance of the MANCAP certificates, SON will conduct periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testings to ensure continued compliance,” he said.
While stating that certificates would be valid for three years, Okeke added that any product that failed to meet the minimum Nigerian industrial standards requirements would either be suspended, withdrawn or be asked to begin the process again.
“The benefits of this MANCAP certification include enhanced efficiency growth and opportunities and improved product quality to meet customer expectations.
“It will also encourage continual improvement in production process and promote global competitiveness amongst domestic manufacturers,” he said.
On her part, the SON State Coordinator, Lagos Office II, Maryrose Ugwueche, said that the event was to present certificates to companies whose products met the Nigerian industrial standard.
Ugwueche said that event was also an opportunity to showcase the products to members of the public for them to know those that had attained the standard.
“By so doing, we increase their patronage. We are doing it as a form of advertisement for them. The public needs to know that so-and-so products have met the Nigerian industrial standard.
“It’s not only this certificate; we also give them a logo, a mark-up logo that has a number that is unique to every product.
“Once people outside see this logo and buy the product, it means that the product they are buying will not fail them; it means that someone has tested it and confirmed itis fit for the purpose it is intended.
“So, it is about giving consumers an assurance that this product is okay and that they are free to make use of it,” she stated.
A recipient, Abiola Falowo, said she felt so great because the process had put her factory under the Nigeria industrial standard.
Falowo, who is the Managing Director, MAEG Production Factory Limited, said his firm produced quality toilet rolls and tissue papers, stating that it used for production was very important.
“We use raw materials which will not impact our clients negatively. We use 100 per cent imported natural virgin coal, with no chemical or bleach in it.
“It is suitable for children, for anyone. When you use a tissue paper, you are not going to be impacted negatively in any form. Our tissue paper does not change colour when you insert it in water” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Samson Oyejide from Somotex Nigeria Limited, said without MANCAP, there would have been so many counterfeit products in the country.
According to him, MANCAP serves as a guide to industries and manufacturers to know what kind of product they should push to the market.
“By having the quality standard, it gives more courage for everyone, all the consumers, to know which item they should buy.
“The moment the consumers see MANCAP logo on any product, they’re sure that such product is of high quality standard and not fake,” he said.
