SON: MEPS TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
By: Bisi Akingbade
Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development, SRAD eV Nigeria, on behalf of CLASP USA launched the first of its kind inception workshop on MEPS held at Ibis Hotel Ikeja Lagos state.
The Director-General/ Chief Executive, Mallam Farouk Salim in his keynote address expressed gratitude to the experts, professionals, various stakeholders present for the formulation and development of an important draft performance standard on lighting products.
Salim emphasised that Minimum Energy Performance Standard, MEPS, for lighting therefore will help and play crucial roles 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.
Director General who was represented by Deputy Director Head Electrical and Electronic laboratory Engr Alewu Achema outlined the benefits in respect to cost in using only complying lighting products, which will in the long run phase out products containing environmentally dangerous materials like Mercury.
The SON helmsman acknowledge the efforts of CLASP for rendering technical supports in the areas of standards and manpower development designed to sustain a clean and efficient energy compliant to the environment and assured all present of continous collaboration in the implementation of the standard.
Deputy Director Head Electrical and Electronic laboratory Engr Alewu Achema in his opening remarks welcomed all saying that this workshop being the first of its kind is a great milestone achievement for the organisation as it steers the lighting industry which no one can do without away from hazardous substances to more cleaner and efficient energy generation which will not only be economical but environmentally friendly.
Federal Ministry of Industry trade and investment Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Customs Service representative from CLASP and SRAD eV Nigeria sent their goodwill messages.
There was a paper presentation on the cost ramifications of adopting led lighting system as opposed to the Mercury ones in use, from Mr Colin Taylor of CLASP USA and Mr Olakunle.
