The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has used Product Authentication Mark (PAM) technology to reduce substandard items entering the Nigerian market.
At a stakeholder sensitisation meeting in Port Harcourt, SON Director-General Malam Farouk Salim said the technology ensures that all imported and manufactured items satisfy appropriate criteria.
PAM is a digital tool that complements SON’s and manufacturers’ conformity assessments to fight substandard and counterfeit products in Nigeria.
Despite the organization’s efforts, inferior items were still being imported and disseminated nationwide through smuggling and SON stickers on non-certified products, the DG said.
Salim said PAM, implemented in Lagos and other cities, is a digital technology that complements SONCAP and MANCAP to fight substandard and counterfeit items.
Nigerian traffickers cannot import or produce substandard items using PAM verification.
SON will facilitate commerce to guarantee imports and manufacturers meet global standards.
”The PAM will also help consumers detect and reject substandard goods in the market, increase productivity, employment, wealth creation, and security of lives and properties,” he added.
Salim advised buyers to search online for fake, clone, and counterfeit items.
He also recommended SONCAP-certified importers to apply online for PAM stickers.
He urged SONCAP-certified importers to apply online for PAM stickers.
While presenting the product to stakeholders, Mr. Tersoo Orngudwem, Director Product Certification SON, said it was crucial for manufacturers to sell and recognize their products simply.
Orngudwem said the offering will help people buy value-for-money items.
He said PAM stickers are for imported products, but local manufacturers can register for them to validate their products.
Orngudwem encouraged importers and customers to seek for PAM by SON on Apple, IOS, or Play stores and look for the SON emblem.Install the app.
He advised stakeholders to buy PAM stickers and stamps using the SON website at https://pam.songov.ng/login, use SONCAP certificates, pay by courier, and choose delivery locations.
Mr. Vincent Okwukwu, Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Rivers/Bayelsa, praised SON for stopping the importation of substandard goods.
Okwukwu advised business stakeholders to work with MAN to build their enterprises in the state, stating that SON’s PAM stickers would help them thrive and avoid counterfeits.