Nigerian Soncap certification

Nigerian Soncap certification

What is Nigerian Soncap certification

The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) is the government agency responsible for formulating and implementing quality standards for imported goods and domestically manufactured products in Nigeria. In order to ensure that the regulated products comply with the country’s technical standards or other international standards that have been approved for implementation, and to protect Nigerian consumers from unsafe products or products that do not meet the standards, the Nigerian National Bureau of Standards has decided to implement regulated products exported to the country. Pre-shipment mandatory conformity assessment procedure (hereinafter referred to as SONCAP).

On March 1, 2013, the Nigerian Bureau of Standards officially released the new SONCAP operation process. In the future, each independent third-party agency will no longer directly issue SONCAP certification. Instead, exporters will apply for product conformity certification (CoC) in the exporting country. The importer then applies for the SC certificate to the Nigerian Bureau of Standards (SON) with a valid CoC.

 

Certified product range

According to the latest notice issued by SON (Nigerian Bureau of Standards) and CBN on July 29, 2009, except for products regulated by the Nigeria Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), all products and goods imported into Nigeria are designated as SONCAP Products controlled by the plan. In addition to the products regulated by NAFDAC, the following products do not need to be regulated by SONCAP,

 

Certified product process

The certification in Nigeria can be divided into three steps:

The first step: product testing;

The second step: apply for PC product certificate (A.B.C) three modes;

Step 3: Apply for COC certificate;

 

Three forms of CoC certification

Route A, for the occasional shipment in a year

After the exporter's goods are produced, the inspector will inspect the goods, and then take samples from the bulk goods to test. After the test is passed, a PR report will be issued, and the shipment will be monitored and affixed with a seal. The CoC certificate will be issued after the goods are qualified.

The documents to be submitted are as follows:

1. CoC application form

2. Product name, product photo, customs code

3. Packing list

4. Proforma invoice

5.FORMM number

 

Route B, aimed at multiple shipments of products in a year.

First, the exporter applies for a PC. The process for applying for a PC is as follows:

1. PC Application Form

2. Product name, product photo, customs code

3. Qualified test report issued by an ISO 17025 qualified laboratory

4. System audit of the factory

The PC is valid for one year after getting it

After the goods are produced, the factory applies for CoC as follows:

1. CoC application form;

2. Packing List

3. Proforma invoice

4. FORMM number

After the materials are complete, the goods will be inspected, sampled and supervised at a certain ratio, the ratio is not less than 40%, and a CoC certificate will be issued if qualified.


Route C is aimed at frequent shipments in one year.

The factory first applies for Licence, the application conditions are as follows:

1. There are at least 4 successful applications based on Route B;

2. Conduct two audits on the factory and pass;

3. Qualified test report issued by an ISO 17025 qualified laboratory;

The license is valid for one year after getting the license.

After the goods are produced, the factory applies for CoC as follows:

4. CoC application form

5. Packing list

6. Proforma invoice

7. FORMM number

After the materials are complete, the goods will be inspected and supervised at a certain rate, no less than twice a year.



CoC certificate in exchange for SONCAP certificate

The exporter obtains the CoC and provides it to the importer, who then applies to the Nigerian Bureau of Standards (SON) for the SC certificate with the valid CoC for customs clearance.