The Governing Council of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has approved ninety-six (96) new Industrial Standards for national use which cut across Chemical Technology, Electrical/Electronics, Food/Agriculture, Textile/Leather and Services.
The approval which was given at the first meeting of the Council following the appointment of Farouk Salim as the Director General, brought the total number of Standards approved by SON Governing Council to 264 in year 2020 following the earlier approval of 168 Standards.
Chairman of the Council, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, commended the new SON helmsman for being able to convene the Council meeting few months after his appointment in spite of the challenges of the pandemic and other socio-economic events adding that that the newly approved standards were significant given the scope of their coverage.
According to a statement, the approved standards include those that are essential for the production of medical and other supplies required for the management of the Covid-19 pandemic such as syringes, face barriers, alcohol based hand sanitizer, medical electrical equipment, Health and Safety Measures for Tourism and Hospitality Establishments – Post Pandemic (Covid-19) Resumption among many others.
Director General, SON, Farouk Salim
The statement listed other approved standards of great economic, regulatory and industrial importance to include; agricultural, petroleum and automobile gas products, electrical/electronic standards for smart energy meters and renewable energy, all of which support the Federal Government policies, strategic priorities and plans.
Dr. Sani-Gwarzo assured the new SON Chief Executive of access to a rich and diverse knowledge, expertise and experience in the Council to support his aspiration of making SON a high impact organisation in support of the Nation’s socio-economic growth and development.
Addressing the Council earlier, Salim expressed appreciation to President Buhari for giving him the opportunity to further contribute to National development through SON, stressing that he looked forward to tapping from the rich expertise and experience of the Council members in the areas of providing necessary approvals for policies to make the organisation more efficient and effective in touching the lives of Nigerians.
Chairman of Council, SON, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo
He expressed concern about the lack of a befitting Corporate Headquarters for the organisation, conducive working environment for the staff nationwide to enable them deliver efficient services, to tackle the influx of substandard products into the country, faking and adulteration among other crimes.
He reaffirmed his commitment to making SON a better and more impactful organisation in Nigeria as well as in regional, continental and international standardisation activities.
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