SON unveils 37 new standards for industrial development

The Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Farouk Salim, has called on manufacturers to improve the standards of their products to increase acceptance of Nigeria made products overseas.

He made this known in Lagos at the unveiling of 37 new Standards for industrial development.

Mr Farouk Salim said the move was apt considering the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)

He emphasised that Nigeria’s products must adhere strictly to global best practices to be competitive when the trade pact officially commences.

The Chairman, SON Governing Council, Mrs Evelyn Ngige, explained that three out of the 37 new standards were reviewed, eight were newly developed while 26 have been adopted for the existing international standards.

According to her, the approved standards which cut across various sectors of the Nigerian economy are in line with the approved Nigerian Industrial Standardisation Strategy which focuses on stakeholders and market demands for optimisation of available resources.

She said the next 17 approved standards are in the mechanical sector which is focused on agriculture to support the federal government’s economic diversification agenda which include standards for irrigation and crop protection equipment. (VON)