SON Introduces Mandatory Product Authentication Mark (PAM)

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (“SON”) has introduced the Product Authentication Mark (“PAM”), a mark of quality that is required to be affixed on all retail products (falling within the purview of the SON), to demonstrate their conformity to approved standards. Accordingly, all products certified through the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (“SONCAP”) for imported products; or Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (“MANCAP”) for locally manufactured products, are required to have the PAM affixed thereon before they may be sold in Nigeria.

The regulation governing this programme comes into effect on February 1, 2018 and the deadline for the implementation of PAM is March 31, 2018. Any product that is subject to the programme that is sold in Nigeria without the PAM sticker after that date may, amongst other sanctions, be destroyed. Although relevant stakeholders, including the Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (“MAN”) and other similar interest groups are engaging SON on this new regulation, it is clear that there is a resolve on the part of the SON to implement the regulation. Thus, all importers and local manufacturers are enjoined to take the necessary steps to acquire the PAM stickers from SON before the aforementioned deadline.

For further information on PAM and other regulations or activities of the SON or specific legal advice on same, please contact us via the details below:

BANWO & IGHODALO

Contact: Femi Olubanwo / Olumide Osundolire

Address: 98, Awolowo Road, South-West Ikoyi 101232, Lagos,Nigeria

Post: P. O. Box 53756 Ikoyi 101008, Lagos

Tel: +234 (0) 1 4615203 – 4, 4630853-4, 2702657

Email: ipgroup@banwo-ighodalo.com

Website: www.banwo-ighodalo.com