SON rides on e-platform to facilitate international trade

begins e-certifications in SeptemberAs part of its effort to fast track cargo clearance at the nation’s seaports, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has perfected plans to commence electronic issuance of Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) to importers by September 10.

To achieve this, SON has integrated its systems and certificates into Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), which is aimed at driving the organisation’s service delivery capabilities.

Joseph Odumodu, director-general, SON, while speaking at a day sensitisation workshop tagged ‘Trade Facilitation via Automation of SON’s Services,’ organised by SON in collaboration with Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NAFDAC, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), among others, said this would facilitate trade, fast track services and eliminates physical contacts and corruption in the system.

“Converting all SON certifications and certificates to electronic format, online transmission of certificate to trade portal/NICIS by consignee for Form ‘M’ and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), would enable the consignee to process SON’s certificates easily,” he said.

Odumodu, who noted that perfecting arrangements for the online transaction did not make the agency to lose sight of its primary task of reducing to the barest minimum, the incidence of sub-standard products circulation in Nigerian markets, also stated that SON had recorded 40/35 percent drop in the volume of such products from 80 percent.

“We are determined to bring the percentage down to 10 by the end of the year,” he said.

Listing the benefits of the e-certifications, the SON boss said it would provide easy access to information on products regulated, by enabling consignees to confirm if a product was regulated by SON through any online platforms.

The process, he said, will eliminate the need to apply for paper SON product certificate/import permits, which is uploaded during Form ‘M’ application.

“It ensures that consignee sources product from reputable source prior to approval of Form ‘M’; instant notification of the regulatory status of any product during Form ‘M’ and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) consignment processing and protect consumers from substandard products by ensuring that only consignment that has passed through the mandatory SONCAP is allowed into the country.”

Olayiwola Shittu, national president, Association of Nigeria Licensed Agents, who commended SON for the initiative, called for checks and balances to avoid future abuse of the e-process.