SON begins implementation of cement standardisation in Nigeria

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has begun the implementation of its new cement standardisation and reclassification scheme. During a zonal stakeholders’ forum on blocks and allied products in the southwest, which was hosted by the SON in Lagos on 23 September, the organisation launched a new packaging and labelling model for cement grades 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5. The packaging for the three different classes of cement will be clearly labelled and colour coded (yellow for the 32.5, blue for the 42.5 and red for the 52.5) to help consumers distinguish between the grades and prevent misuse.

Speaking during the forum, Dr. Samuel Ortom, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, said that a key focus of worldwide standardisation is continual improvement (aimed at customer satisfaction) and this is only attainable through the implementation of specifications for products and services. Ortom further noted that the forum was one of the quality assurance initiatives for the implementation of the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for all locally manufactured products in Nigeria to ensure that they meet the minimum specifications in all applicable standards.

The SON has received instructions from the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment to immediately begin the full enforcement of the standardisation policy across the entire cement sector.

Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling

Sources

• This Day Live
• The Sun

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/africa-middle-east/24092014/son-begins-implementation-of-cement-standardisation-in-nigeria-539/