Check labels properly before buying electrical appliances, SON urges Nigerians

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has advised consumers to scrutinize energy labels on electrical appliances before making a purchase, stating that energy-efficient products may incur lower operating costs despite their higher initial prices. SON's Director-General, Ifeanyi Okeke, announced this during the 2026 World Standards Day celebration in Abuja, which focused on the theme "Standards: Vision for a Better World, Spotlight on SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy."

Okeke explained that SON's Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (SONMEL) aim to furnish consumers with dependable information about the energy performance of appliances, enabling them to make well-informed buying decisions. According to Okeke, customers who rely solely on purchase prices when selecting appliances might end up paying more for electricity throughout the product's lifespan.

He used the example of old bulbs, which, while initially cheaper, consumed more energy than modern, energy-efficient alternatives. The SONMEL scheme aims to provide consumers with information to differentiate between high and low energy usage appliances, which can help them make informed decisions. Although some manufacturers may be hesitant to adopt energy-efficient technologies due to the initial investments required to replace their existing production systems, Okeke argued that such a transition does not necessarily entail higher production costs in the long run.

He maintained that SON was committed to safeguarding consumers by equipping them with the necessary information to identify products that meet the required standards.