The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRAD eV Nigeria) on behalf of CLASP USA, launched a first-of-its-kind workshop on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) held recently held in Lagos state.
The Director-General/ Chief Executive, Mallam Farouk Salim, in his keynote address, expressed gratitude to the experts, professionals, and various stakeholders present for the formulation and development of a vital draft performance standard on lighting products.
The Director General, who was represented by Deputy Director Head Electrical and Electronic laboratory, Engr Alewu Achema, outlined the benefits concerning the cost of using only complying lighting products, which will, in the long run, phase out products containing environmentally dangerous materials like Mercury.
DG SON, Mallam Farouk Salim represented by Deputy Director and Group Head, Electricals& Electeonics Engr. Alewu Cherry Achema delivering the DG’s welcome remarks.
Salim emphasized that Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) for lighting therefore will help and play a crucial role in reducing energy consumption, as it sets the benchmark for the energy efficiency of lighting products which will help drive the market towards more sustainable solutions.
The SON helmsman acknowledges the efforts of CLASP for rendering technical support in the areas of standards and manpower development designed to sustain clean and efficient energy compliant to the environment and assured all present continuous collaboration in the implementation of the standard.
The Deputy Director Engr. Alewu Achema added that this workshop is the first of its kind and is a great milestone achievement for the Organization as it steers the lighting industry, which no one can do without, away from hazardous substances to cleaner and more efficient energy consumption generation, which will not only be economical but environmentally friendly.
Similarly, in a paper presentation by Mr. Colin Taylor of CLASP USA, stated that phasing out fluorescent bulbs and adopting the use of LED bulbs is a step in the right direction, as the goal is to eliminate the worst lighting product available in the market and that this step will bring enormous benefits to Nigeria and as such, consumers of this products will no longer be presented with inefficient, low quality and environmentally damaging products.
Mr. Taylor added that the usage of this product would decrease the demand on the National grid and lower carbon emissions. As stated in his words, “the cleanest energy you can have is the energy you don’t consume,” and by reducing the energy, we are reducing the energy needed from non-renewable sources, which are being clamored for, according to the United Nations convention.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Customs Services, CLASP, and SRADeV Nigeria, amongst others.
Other Stakeholders in virtual and physical attendance include; the Federal Ministry of Power (FMP), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Electronic Communication Network (ECN), Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN), Power Up Renewables, Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP.)
