The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is Nigeria’s apex standardization body, responsible for developing, promoting, and enforcing standards for products, materials, processes, and services across the country. SON was established by an Enabling Act in 1971, and its legal framework has since evolved through several amendments, with the current basis set by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act of 2015, which repealed earlier legislation, expanded the organisation’s functions, strengthened regulatory powers, and increased penalties for violations related to standards and quality assurance.

SON’s governing body is the Nigerian Standards Council, which serves as the policy-making authority overseeing the administration and financial management of the organisation. The Director General acts as the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the day-to-day management of SON within the policy framework approved by the Council. The Council also advises the Federal Government of Nigeria on national policy matters relating to standards, quality control, and metrology.

The mandate of SON includes the preparation and promotion of standards relating to products, measurements, materials, processes, and services at national, regional, and international levels. Its functions also cover product certification, conformity assessment, assistance to industry in the production of quality goods and services, improvement of measurement accuracy, and the circulation of information relating to standards. SON carries out these responsibilities through standards development, product testing, management system certification, training activities, and inspection of products at ports and borders. As part of its conformity assessment activities, SON administers the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) for imported products and the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for selected locally manufactured goods.

At the international level, SON represents Nigeria in global standardization activities and is a member body of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Through its engagement in international standards development, including cooperation with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), SON works to align Nigerian standards with international best practices and to support the competitiveness of Nigerian products and services in global markets. For more information, please visit the official website of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).