In accordance with Section 5 of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Acts 2015, SON has specified a distinct mark, known as Production Authentication Mark (PAM). This mark is to protect genuine manufacturers and importers from faking and counterfeiting of their certified products among others. ADEOLA AKINBOBOLA writes.
PAM is to be applied on all products that comply with the SONCAP and MANCAP schemes i.e for imported commodities as well as locally manufactured products with the requirements of the relevant Nigerian standards for approval specifications.
However, arising from rampant applications of the mark on non-certified products, SON has decided to control the printing of the mark as well as improve its security features through physical and digital technology.
Objectives of PAM
Other objectives of PAM include to promote a level playing field in the market for both locally manufactured and imported products certified by SON .
Also, to provide assurance to consumers on products and guarantee values for money and ensure effective control of non-complying products in the markets .
On sub-standard goods
In an interview with the Director, Certification of SON, Mr Tersoo Orngudwem expressed concern that over the years, the issue of sub-standard and counterfeiting goods has been an issue that comes to the lips of every Nigerian that is buying a product in our market and it has been very persistent.
He explained that the apex standard body of the country under the leadership of the Director General, Mr Farouk Salim has put in many measures that will ensure that this issues are reduced to the barest minimum by introducing the SONCAP and product to ensure the quality of products in our market.
He further explained that in line with that, they have some products that will solve this problem, the SON Conformity assessment programme which is meant for imported goods into Nigeria to make sure that goods coming into Nigeria are satisfied before they reach our market.
“We also have for the locally manufactured goods called MANCAP, so that we are not seen by the International community as if we are creating a trade barrier so that imported goods cannot come into our country.
“We should know that the world has become a global village and Nigeria is part of that village, and we cannot run away from it, so rising from that we have introduced measures particularly for the imported goods so that Nigeria does become a dumping ground to any other countries.
Partnership with agencies of government
He called on the need to work with other government agencies noting that if the programme is introduced to other agencies of government, particularly those who are involved in tax collection, the customers can confirm the declaration of the exact number of products.
“With this, if we collaborate with each other agencies, government will not lose it revenue. Because SON will be giving you stickers for the exact quantities you produced.
“So, we encourage customers to check their products before they buy and with that, SON will be more effective and Nigeria market will be rid of sub-standard and counterfeiting products.
Nigeria as market to go
On the Africa continental free trade, He explained that Nigeria presently estimated population of 220 million and Africa population is estimated at 1.2 to 1.3 billion and if you compare that, it means we make up almost 20% of that population, so every African country will be targeting Nigeria as a market to go .
“So, if you come with a sub-standard products that is not certified it will not serve and the issue of dumping even through the free trade agreement will be reduced.
QR code on Android phones
He said the program is designed such that, the product has the stamp on it and if you have the QR code either on your Android,Smart phones, there is a stamp number on the product.
“If you don’t have an Android phone or an IOS phone, you can send the number of the product on the stamp to a code, a toll free code 281 and within 5seconds, they will return a message telling you that the product is certified by SON and is good for use.
“If it is an Android or an IOS phone, you just download SON palm, keep it on your phone, walk into your shop, whether is locally manufactured or imported good, check if is on it, Scan and send the message directly to our server and the server has a GPRS connection that will indicate the location where those substandard goods are.
“So with that the SON staff who are in the enforcement unit and are connected to the system will know where such products are in different locations in various states.
“The second as I did emphasized, the consumer themselves are the number one enforcement officers because they scan and refuse to buy. It will remain there on the shelf and SON will be notified through the GPRS on their server.
“The world is global village. We see other standard body in other countries even in Africa, we visited and see what they were doing and in most of the countries that are doing particularly in Africa, their stamp stickers have four security features.
” We are looking at the intelligence of our people and if harnessed in the positive site, it will make us one of the best digitized people on earth . We decided to go from Four to Twenty security features and the stamp is also water proof.
Features of the PAM stickers
The PAM stickers contains 2D high security sticker/stamps which is easily verified using sms short code. It is also easily verified using any smart phones via scanning QR codes.
Also, each stickers contains information specific to the products and the stickers are water resistant and durable in all weather.
On employment creation
He said sub-standard goods is a problem to the Nation, it makes our local industry not to thrive hence creating unemployment.
“Many youths on our streets will have jobs if most of the industries are working. Over population is increasing daily and the middle class which are the younger ages are jobless. Most of them travel to get jobs from local manufacturing companies ” he said.
