Eric Patrick
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has unveiled a Joint Inter-Agency Committee to develop a Digital Traceability Portal aimed at tackling the proliferation of counterfeit products and enhancing supply chain transparency nationwide.
The event, which was held at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja, will see the introduction of unique QR codes on products, allowing consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and regulators to verify authenticity, trace origins, and monitor goods throughout their lifecycle.
This was contained in a statement by the FCCPC and shared on its X handle.
According to the statement, the Commission is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the system’s effectiveness.
The statement read, “In a decisive move to enhance product integrity and consumer protection, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has inaugurated a Joint Inter-Agency Committee to develop a Digital Traceability Portal aimed at tackling counterfeit products and strengthening supply chain transparency across Nigeria.
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“The Traceability Portal, a flagship initiative of the Commission, will assign unique QR codes to products, enabling consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and regulators to verify authenticity, track origin, and ensure end-to-end product traceability.
“Speaking at the inauguration held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Mr Kola Alabi, Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, FCCPC, noted:
“ ‘As the apex regulator, the Commission has sought the collaboration of key stakeholders in the development of this platform to ensure traceability and authenticity of products. Our goal is to deliver a solution that reduces counterfeiting and addresses other challenges within the supply chain.’
“The Joint Inter-Agency Committee brings together representatives from critical institutions including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC).
“The initiative aligns with the FCCPC’s statutory mandate under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, to promote fair market practices, protect consumers from deceptive trade, and facilitate cross-agency coordination in tackling threats to consumer safety.
“The Traceability Portal is expected to usher in a new era of digital accountability in Nigeria’s product markets, combat fake goods, and build consumer trust through real-time authentication and supply chain visibility.”