SON unveils standards on essential products

Our Reporter

THE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is supporting the manufacturing and importation of essential materials to combat the challenges of COVID-19 through the deployment of 28 relevant international Standards from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and one from the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) on alcohol based hand sanitisers.

According to a statement from the office of the Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Osita Aboloma Esq. the deployment of the Standards is to meet emergency needs occasioned by COVID-19 globally while the process for the adoption would continue unhindered in spite of the lockdown.

He listed some of the international Standards compiled by ISO to support global efforts in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis as follows; ISO 374-5:2016 Protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms – Part 5: Terminology and performance requirements for micro-organisms risk. ISO 10651-3:1997 Lung ventilators for medical use – Part 3: Particular requirements for emergency and transport ventilators. ISO 10651-5:2006 Lung ventilators for medical use – Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance – Part 5: Gas-powered emergency resuscitators. ISO 13688:2013 Protective clothing – General requirements.

ISO 17510:2015 Medical devices – Sleep apnoea breathing therapy – Masks and application accessories. ISO 19223:2019 Lung ventilators and related equipment -Vocabulary and semantics. ISO 22301:2019 Security and resilience – Business continuity management systems – Requirements. ISO 5356-1:2015 Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment – Conical connectors – Part 1: Cones and sockets. ISO 80601-2-12: 2020 Medical electrical equipment – Part 2-12: Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of critical care ventilators. ISO 80601-2-80: 2018 Medical electrical equipment – Part 2-80: Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of ventilatory support equipment for ventilatory insufficiency.

The SON Chief Executive stated that the TC would also consider the adoption of a French National Standard “AFNOR SPEC S76-001 Barrier Masks – Guide to minimum requirements,  methods of testing,  making and use” to provide necessary quality guidance for mass production of face masks in the country especially by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).