SON deploys free standards on hand sanitizers, others to fight COVID-19

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it has deployed free 29 international standards to manufacturers and importers to enhance the availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and other essential products to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

SON said 28 of the standards deployed are from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and one from the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO).

In a statement from the office of the Director-General of SON, Mr Osita Aboloma, the deployment of the standards is to meet emergency needs occasioned by COVID-19.

According to the statement, the standards are being made available to the National Committee on Sustainable Production and Delivery of Essential Commodities which SON is a member.

“This is to guide local manufacturers as well as provide a benchmark for adjudging all imported products in the category during the pandemic,” the statement said.

The statement further disclosed that SON has received free, unlimited usage of the ISO web conferencing system (Zoom) for national standards development work only, adding that “with this offer, Nigeria as an eligible member will be assigned a Zoom account for developing countries, which we can share with our Technical Committee (TC) members and experts, creating the equivalent of a ‘virtual conference room’ at the national level”.

The statement rolled out some of the international Standards compiled by ISO to support global efforts in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis to include; ISO 374-5:2016- protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and microorganisms – Part 5: Terminology and performance requirements for microorganisms risk; ISO 10651-3:1997 Lung ventilators for medical use – Part 3: Particular requirements for emergency and transport ventilators, among others.

The statement quoted the SON’s Director-General as commending the past efforts of all members of various National Technical and Mirror Committees in ensuring development, adoption, adaption and review of market-driven standards for use in Nigeria.

According to him, their patriotic efforts have helped in great measure to promote the competitiveness of Made in Nigeria products, the safety of consumers and steady growth of the nation’s economy.