SON unveils new strategy to combat substandard products

By Adeola Tukuru

Abuja
In a bid to reduce the high rate of substandard products in the country, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has concluded arrangement to introduced Product Authentication Mark (PAM) sticker.
According to Director General of the agency, Mr. Osita Aboloma, when introduced the PAM for imported and locally manufactured products will ensure the quality of products purchase by consumers as well as tackle cloning and counterfeiting of products.
Represented by the Head Product Authentication Mark (PAM) Unit, Mr. Usman Mohammed, the DG stated that the latest innovation by SON will help in the reduction of substandard products in the country through the affixing of hologram stickers with security features on products certified for sale in Nigeria.
According to him, SON through the PAM sticker has added another layer of Standardization and Quality control to the manufacturing and supply chain in line with international best practice.
“SON strategy is to deploy PAM to thwart the unscrupulous efforts of some manufacturers, producers and importers, who deal in substandard products through cloning and counterfeiting.
” Consumers only need to use a downloadable application on smart phones to scan the code on the sticker or send an SMS to a dedicated number to verify if products are certified by SON and fit for use, once PAM becomes operational from February, 2018” he said.
When the strategy (PAM) comes into force, the hologram security feature will help promote quality products and items in the market.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Head SONCAP Unit, Mr. Pius Manji stated that SON is continually working on ways of reducing substandard products in the country, stressing that the introduction of PAM is another innovation that will add value to existing conformity assessment programmes.
He called on producers, manufacturers, importers and consumers alike to key into this program which is meant to assure quality, ensure safety of lives and guarantee value for money for all Nigerians.
Implementation of the PAM sticker scheme is slated to commence on February 2018. For products imported without the stickers they are only allowed to be in the markets until 31st March 2018 while local manufacturers and importers with stocks likely to be in the market after the deadline are advised to apply online.

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