477 companies fail SON certification

No fewer than 477 companies in Kaduna State have failed the routine certification of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the State Coordinator, Alhaji Abba Bauchi, has said.

Bauchi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that out of the 561 companies inspected, only 84 of the companies met the criteria.

He explained that of the 84 certified companies, 77 were given Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) clearance while seven received Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) certificate.

"Companies with MANCAP certification categorisation include: Food Codex, 60; Chemical Technology, 13; Mechanical, 3; and Electrical, 1; while the NIS certified companies were Food Codex, 6, and Electrical, 1.''

On the 477 companies yet to be certified, the official said SON would continue to monitor them until they attain the required standard.

Bauchi said SON is partnering with Kaduna State Government and the 34 local governments in the state on standard procedures in setting up factories.

"We commend the state government's policy on industrialization, and SON will compliment it with standardization.''

He appealed to all companies operating in the state to get SON's clearance "or action will be taken against them.''

The coordinator stressed that SON would continue to insist on standard by all companies operating in the country, adding, "there is no industrialization without quality and standard."