The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)

The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is the sole statutory body that is vested with the responsibility of standardizing and regulating the quality of all products in Nigeria. When it was established by the General Yakubu Gowon military regime through Act 56 in 1971, it was called the Nigerian Standards Organization (NSO).

The Act establishing the body was amended in 1976 by the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, in 1984 by the short-lived regime of Major – General Muhammed Buhari and in 1990 by the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

The Original Act provided the body with the authority to specify elaborate standards, as well as provide a quality assurance system for commodities, including manufactured, industrial, and imported products and services.   But the 1976 amendment to the Act conferred on the Minister of Industry the power to declare Mandatory Industrial Standards in respect of products or processes recommended by the Nigeria Standards council.

The 1984 amendment to the original Act changed the name of the body from the Nigerian Standards Organisation (NSO) to the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) because the acronym, NSO, created confusion with a newly established security body known as the Nigeria Security Organization.  

In 1990, the amendment of the Act conferred partial autonomyAutonomy is the control or government of a country, organization, or group by itself rather than by others. More on the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)from the Ministry of Industry.  

The headquarters of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is in Abuja, It also has operational offices in other parts of the country

Objectives of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)

1. To provide industries with up-to-date information on standardization and its benefits.

2. To encourage the participation of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) in standardization.

3. To ensure improved competitiveness of Nigerian goods at home and abroad by encouraging quality assurance practices.

4. To provide information, advice, and assistance to industries on quality management for improved cost-effectiveness.

5. To ensure adequate technical support for Nigerian industries to match the quality required for competitiveness in global trade.

Functions of SON

1. To investigate the quality of facilities, materials, and products in Nigeria and establish a quality assurance system, including certification of factories, products, and laboratories

2. To ensure references standards for calibration and verification of measures and measuring instruments

3. To compile an inventory of products requiring standardization

4. To register and regulate standard marks and specifications

5. To undertake preparation and distribution of standard samples

6. To develop methods for testing materials, supplies and equipment, including items purchased for use by state and Federal departments and private establishments.