By Lucy Ogalue
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says compliance with industry standards and regulations is critical in ensuring fair competition and protection of consumers.
Mr Kuma Moor, SON’s Legal Service Officer, said this during a training session for members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in Abuja.
According to Moor, maintaining a robust compliance culture is essential for businesses to ensure product quality and safety.
He said it was also important to enhance business reputation in both domestic and international markets.
“Compliance is not just about following rules; it is about fostering trust and ensuring that products meet safety and quality standards,” he said.
While emphasising the need for businesses to ensure compliance of set rules, Moor said that failure to comply attracted stiff penalties.
According to him, in the context of the SON Act, the most serious violations could attract custodial sentences of up to five years, reflecting the severe consequences of non-compliance.
“One notable concern is the issue of rebadging, where businesses falsely label products as meeting certain standards when they do not.
” Also, the issue of unauthorised use of certification marks and logos, where companies replicate popular brands’ logos to deceive consumers into believing they are purchasing genuine products.
“These practices not only breach legal standards, but also damage consumer trust and can result in significant legal and financial penalties,” he said.
To tackle these challenges, Moor called for a more stringent enforcement of regulations and a comprehensive review of outdated legislation.
He said there was need for improved training for regulatory officials, and the adoption of technology to enhance monitoring and compliance efforts.
He urged companies to invest in quality management systems and to view compliance as a strategic advantage, and not as a burden.
“A commitment to quality and safety is not only a regulatory requirement but also a key to gaining market access and building consumer confidence.
” Moreso, failing to adhere to standards can lead to severe financial repercussions, loss of market share, and damage to brand reputation.
“Thus, businesses must navigate these regulatory challenges effectively to sustain their operations and contribute to a healthier market environment,” he said.
Moor called for the amendment of the SON Act 2015 to increase the agency’s enforcement power and ability.
Also speaking, SON’s Head of Media, Mr Victor Amadi, restated the organisation’s commitment to enhancing market surveillance and enforcing compliance with standards across the country.
Amadi said that while it was impossible to inspect every product in the market, strategic surveillance, based on complaints and targeted inspections, remained critical in identifying and addressing substandard goods.
On the increasing prevalence of building collapses, Amadi said that stakeholders like architects, builders, and regulatory bodies, must fulfill their responsibilities to prevent such disasters.
According to him, many cases of building collapses are due to quackery, poor adherence to standards, and unauthorised modifications of building plans.
On fake and substandard products, he said that there was the need for consumer cooperation in reporting substandard products.
He urged consumers to always demand receipts and report any dissatisfaction with purchased goods.
Amadi said that to bolster its enforcement efforts, SON had been collaborating with other regulatory bodies like the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
He said that the organisation introduced the Electronic Demand and Receipt system (EDA) to streamline the purchase of standards and services.
He called for stronger stakeholders’ collaboration and public participation in ensuring standards are upheld for the safety and well-being of all Nigerians. (NAN)