6 Functions Of The Standard Organization Of Nigeria (SON)

SON, Standard Organization of Nigeria was founded sometime, in the 70s by an Act No. 56. However, there have been several amendments since when the Standard Organization of Nigeria was established.

Currently the Standard Organization of Nigeria is operating under the Standard Organization of Nigeria Act Number 14 of 2015.

The very last amendment that was made had indeed given the Standard Organization of Nigeria more powers to exercise more functions, including penalizing offenders.

The Standard Organization of Nigeria of Nigeria is headed and supervised by a council called, the Standards Council of Nigeria, whereas, day to day administration of the Standard Organization of Nigeria is done  by the SON’s Director General.

SON is the Standard Organization of Nigeria. It is considered to be the apex organization, saddled with the responsibility of standardization in the country.

What Is Standardization?

Standardization is simply, the process, by which, technical standards, that are based on agreement or consensus reached by diverse entities, such as the government and standard organizations and companies and interest groups, as well as users are developed and implemented.

In fact, the Standard Organizations of Nigeria is in charge of every product, and every process, including scientific study of measurement standards in the country.

Having said that, the key function of the Standard Organization of Nigeria is that of ensuring that, locally made products, I mean those locally produced in Nigeria meet the required standard of satisfaction that consumers desired.

To achieve this goal, the Standard Organizations of Nigeria has to make sure that, manufacturing companies adhere or comply with government policies on standardization.

The Standard Organization of Nigeria also assessed products with a view to ascertain their conformity to standard and specification.

For instance, it is the duty of the Standard Organization of Nigeria to assess all imported goods into Nigeria and make sure that these products meet the required Nigeria’s standard and approved specification as well as, domesticated international standards of such products.

What Are The Functions Of The Standard Organization Of Nigeria?

The Standard Organization of Nigeria was actually established with a view to perform some salient functions so as to minimize or reduce the practice of locally manufactured substandard products and imported substandard products into the country.

However, in this article, I will be sharing with you on some important functions of the Standard Organization of Nigeria.

1. The Standard Organization Of Nigeria Establishes And Compiles Industrial Standard

The Standard Organizations of Nigeria’s key function has been to ensure that, products manufactured locally in the country and those imported into Nigeria are standardized.

This aspect of the Standard Organizations of Nigeria has laid upon the body the responsibility of making sure that, industrial standards in Nigeria are established and compiled accordingly. This is very important, if the Standard Organization of Nigeria must realize its mandate.

2. The Standard Organization Of Nigeria Compiles Products Inventory

Another major function of the Standard Organization of Nigeria is the compilation of products inventory. Every product produced in Nigeria requires standardization, including those imported into the country.

Therefore, it becomes the duty of the Standard Organization of Nigeria to compile every of these products that indeed required standardization.

3. The Standard Organization Of Nigeria Provides Reference Standards For Verification

The Standard Organization of Nigeria’s other function is that of providing reference standards for the purpose of verification.

The provision of reference standard by the Standard Organization of Nigeria also provided measures for the calibration of measurements, and reference for the equipment used in measurement in the country.

The availability of this reference standard for calibration of measurements and for verification, as well as, equipment used in measurement has in fact minimized the practice of manufacturing substandard products in the country as well as, importing same into Nigeria.

4. The Standard Organization Of Nigeria Inspects Products Quality, Materials And Production Facilities

This is another important function of the Standard Organization of Nigeria. The function of the Standard Organization of Nigeria include, that of making sure, the products quality and materials and facilities used in production are properly inspected.

Even while inspecting these materials and facilities used in production of these products, it is also expected that, the Standard Organization of Nigeria institute or make provision for quality assurance system.

That is why, the Standard Organization of Nigeria will take into consideration, the laboratories, and the factories, as well as, the certification of products.

5. The Standard Organization Of Nigeria Test Products To Ascertain Compliance To Standard

The Standard Organization of Nigeria carried out several functions, and one of such functions is to make sure that they carry out test on every product.

This test carry out by the Standard Organization of Nigeria is of great important, since it is a kind of test that will help ascertain the level and the extent at which, everyone of these products, including services are complied with the approved standards by the council.

By testing these products by the Standard Organization of Nigeria, there is every tendency to help minimize production and importation of substandard products in Nigeria

6. The Standard Organization Of Nigeria Develops Methods Used In Testing Equipment And Materials

It is part of the function of the Standard Organization of Nigeria to ensure that, methods used in testing equipment and materials, including supplies, plus those one bought for the government to make use of, are developed.

These methods developed must be accurate, appropriate and must meet the approved standard so as to be able to ascertain the degree of standardization of products in Nigeria.

The ultimate objective of the Standard Organization of Nigeria is to continue in the improvement of the life of Nigerian citizens and its residents through the provision of quality standardization and quality assurance of products in Nigeria.

It is Nigerians’ expectations that the Standard Organization of Nigeria will continue to keep its mandate aflame by working towards ensuring that products manufactured in Nigeria and those exported outside Nigeria and those imported into Nigeria meet consumers’ satisfaction both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.