The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has issued Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to 24 companies operating within Enugu State. The MANCAP certificates covered 41 products of the companies, and one of the companies received a Product Identification Certificate for it’s unique product.
Issuing the certificates on Thursday in Enugu, the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said that SON’s MANCAP certificate remained a seal of quality and international standards for made-in- Nigeria products globally. Okeke said that MANCAP is a mandatory product certification scheme which ensures all locally manufactured products conform with Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) before such products are presented for exported.
Represented by Director, South-East Region of SON, Mr Chukwuma Aharanwa, the director-general noted that the issuance of MANCAP certificates to the companies followed periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testing on the products to ensure their standards. Okeke advised the companies to ensure that products certified continue to meet the requirements of their relevant standards.
According to him, the product is to be re-certified every three years, and it is of utmost importance that you note that the certificates will be withdrawn or suspended if the product fails to meet the established standards.
“The benefits of the MANCAP certification included: enhanced business growth and opportunities; improved product quality that meets customers’ expectations; and encourages continual improvement on the quality of products and processes by manufacturing companies.
“Promotes global competitiveness among domestic manufacturers and their products; and promotes industrial/economic development by ensuring products meet the requirements of the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards,” he said.
Speaking, the State Coordinator of SON in Enugu State, Mr Peter Ameh, congratulated the companies for passing through SON’s rigorous testing. retesting, monitoring, and frequent factory inspections.
Amen noted that what SON do is primarily to provide guidance and mentoring for companies to come out with and attain the best international standards of their products, notwithstanding the remote location of their factories.
“Standards is a continuous process and since you (companies) are part of the SON family, we will continue to visit your manufacturing sites, assess you products periodically and give our professional advice where necessary,” he said.
Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of SNC Industries, Mr Stanley Nwakudu, one of the benefiting companies, said that MANCAP certification would boost the patronage of his product and enable it to compete favourably with other international brands.
Nwakudu, whose industries produce Royal Germicidal Medicated Soap, assured SON that the company would sustain the standards of the product as it envisions to make it the best brand globally.
