SON begins implementation of cement standardisation

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has begun the implementation of its new cement standardisation and reclassification scheme.

During a zonal stakeholders’ forum on blocks and allied products in the southwest, hosted by the SON in Lagos on Tuesday, the organisation launched a new packaging and labelling model for cement grades 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5.

The packaging for the three different classes of cement will be clearly labelled and colour coded (yellow for the 32.5, blue for the 42.5 and red for the 52.5) to help consumers clearly distinguish between the grades.

Speaking during the launch, Dr Samuel Ortom, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, welcomed the moves by SON to firm up the regulatory frame work for building materials in the country. He also endorsed the forms of cement packaging and labelling in line with the recently-approved Nigeria Industrial Standard for Cement, stressing that these steps would go a long way to enhancing the building and construction industry. “One key focus of standardisation all over the world is continual improvement aimed at customer satisfaction and this is only attainable through the diligent implementation of specifications for products and services as prescribed in the relevant approved standards."

The SON has received instructions from the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment to immediately begin the full enforcement of the standardisation policy across the entire cement sector.