SON Mandates Energy Efficiency Standards for Key Products Ahead of December 2026 Enforcement
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has taken a significant step towards enhancing energy efficiency across the nation by publishing five new Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). These standards, effective immediately, target critical household and industrial products including refrigerators, comfort fans, televisions, electric water heaters, and electric motors. This initiative is a cornerstone of SON’s strategy to bolster energy conservation and ensure robust compliance with its Mandatory Energy Labeling Scheme (SONMELS).
In a statement detailing the new regulations, SON urged manufacturers, importers, and distributors of these regulated products to proactively register their offerings. This call to action precedes the commencement of enforcement for the SONMELS, slated for December 2026. The newly published standards are supported by comprehensive test-method and safety standards, designed to facilitate accurate product assessment and guarantee adherence to performance benchmarks. The specific standards released are NIS 942-1:2026 for Household Refrigerating Appliances, NIS 919:2026 for Comfort Fans, NIS 957:2026 for Televisions, NIS 921:2026 for Electric Water Heaters, and NIS 1236:2026 for Electric Motors.
These vital standards are accessible via SON’s Digital Standards Platform, the official national repository for Nigerian Industrial Standards. Businesses are strongly encouraged to procure these standards and meticulously verify that their products meet all stipulated requirements.
SON has reiterated that product registration under SONMELS remains open, with a firm deadline approaching in December 2026. Companies that complete their registration before the scheme’s official launch will have their compliant products showcased at the launch event in Abuja, serving as exemplars for the industry. This approach aims to foster early adoption and familiarise stakeholders with the energy performance mandates. Further details, including the SONMELS Implementation Guidelines, Product Registration Application Form, and the approved fee structure, are available on SON’s official website. For direct inquiries regarding the registration process or implementation requirements, stakeholders can reach out to sonmels@son.gov.ng.
The introduction of these MEPS marks a pivotal advancement in establishing minimum energy performance benchmarks for electrical and electronic products within the Nigerian market. By setting clear performance criteria, the scheme is poised to create a transparent framework for identifying energy-efficient products. For consumers, this translates to improved access to crucial information, empowering informed purchasing decisions. For businesses, compliance is paramount as SON gears up for rigorous enforcement, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to a smooth and successful implementation of SONMELS through collaborative engagement with all stakeholders.
