The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has assured women cooperative groups in Kaduna State of potentials to be on the global front with strict adherence to the Nigerian Industrial Standards and the conformity assessment procedures of the agency.
This assurance was given at an intensive workshop for women cooperative heads from the 23 LGAs in Kaduna State at the annual Gender & Business Dialogue Platform (GAB 2019) organized by the State Government under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development.
According to the Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hafsat Mohammed Baba, the workshop is on market linkages, production, packaging & storage of goods/products to assist the women cooperatives through the coordinators.
Addressing the forum recently, SON Director General, Osita Aboloma Esq. enumerated steps by the organization to assist businesses with greater emphasis on women entrepreneurs in a paper titled “Achieving approved standards, getting more Kaduna businesses on the global front – What the women need to know”.
Represented by the Kaduna State Coordinator, Danlami Datti, the SON Chief Executive listed them to him include but not limited to;
Involvement of MSMEs and women groups in standards development
50% discounts on standards purchase, products testing and analysis, importation of raw materials and machinery as well as technical support in standards application and capacity development through trainings, workshops and seminars
Product certification through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP)
Management Systems Certification
Metrology Services through measurements and accuracy as well as calibration of equipment.
He dwelled extensively on the benefits of products certification as including;
Ensuring that manufactured products comply with the minimum requirements of the applicable Nigerian Industrial Standards
Providing reliable records for identification and traceability of all locally manufactured products
Inspiring confidence in consumers that products purchased will give value for money spent, meet intended purpose and guarantee safety of lives and property.
Promoting quality awareness and hence wealth creation through reduction in waste in the form of substandard products
The SON Chief Executive encouraged the Kaduna State Women Cooperative Groups to embrace quality through voluntary uptake of standards and self-regulatory mechanisms.
