SON To Punish Dealers Of Substandard Products

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said it is putting in place modalities to provide stiffer sanctions for unscrupulous individuals who import and deal with sub-standard products in Nigeria.

Farouk Salim, the Director General of SON, made this known in Abuja at the stakeholders conference organised by the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), adding that the act establishing the SON is currently being reviewed at the National Assembly.

Mariam Samson, the Assistant Director, Public Relations Department, SON, who represented Salim, said the bill to repeal and enact SON Act, when passed into law, would not only impose fines on dealers of sub-standard products but also prescribe jail terms to them to serve as a deterrent to others.

He also said the bill to repeal and enact the SON Act, when passed into law, would criminalise the production, manufacturing and distribution of substandard products that could endanger the lives of consumers in the country.

According to the SON director general, the aim of the act is to strengthen the core mandate of the organisation against malpractices as well as “encourage improved competitiveness of Nigerian goods at home and abroad by encouraging quality assurance practices”.