S0N introduces PAM to protect Importers from faking, product adulteration

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has notified the general public of the introduction of its Product Authentication Mark (PAM) on all imported products into Nigeria effect from January  2020 in order to protect genuine Importers from faking and product adulteration.

This, according to the organisation, is in line with Section 5 of the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 to ensure the authenticity and traceability of products certified to have met the requirements of the relevant Nigeria Industrial Standards or other approved specifications in Nigeria.

While revealing this on its website recently, SON stated the objectives of PAM to include: to provide assurance to Nigerian Consumers on products and guarantee value for money; to ensure effective control of non-complying products in the Nigerian Markets and to protect genuine Importers from faking and product adulteration by ensuring that only SONCAP certified products are in the markets in the long run.

Also, it stated the procedures for obtaining PAM, which is that: importers of SONCAP Certified products shall apply for the issuance of PAM by completing an application form online, on the SON website www.son.gov.ng; application for PAM Stickers MUST be submitted before SON final clearance of the goods from the Ports of Entry.

For MANCAP certified products, application for PAM (Voluntary) shall be submitted prior to the production of every batch of products with details of certification information.

The Manufacturer shall provide half-year estimated quantities of certified products retail/sales unit expected to be produced and pay for the same.

The association said in order to apply for PAM on certified products “Importers or their authorised representative shall affix the Product Authentication Mark (PAM) only on retail units of certified products as per the terms and conditions for use of the Marks.

“If the placement of the PAM on the retail unit is not possible, the Mark shall be affixed on a package containing two or more Retail Units provided the retail cost of a single unit shall not be more than NGN 50.00.

“Any person, organisation or other corporate body that affix PAM on a product not authorised to bear the Mark e.g. because there is no record of the product in question having been certified is liable for criminal action in accordance with the SON Act 14 of 2015 of Nigeria.

“Imported products already in the market can be sold without the new PAM up to ‪31st October 2020‬. No imported product subject to this regulation will be allowed for sale in Nigerian markets without the PAM ‪after 31st October 2020‬.

“ Importers with huge old stock likely to be in the market after the above dateline are advised to apply and acquire the new Product Authentication Mark from SON”.
All inquiries and clarifications on the above notice should be directed to ‪+2348077440255‬; ‪+2348086475333‬; pam@son.gov.ng