Nigeria SONCAP Certification

Source VEO | By VEO posted 2010-3-8 14:57:17

Generally
In Nigeria, the fulcrum of Standardisation and Regulation of quality for all products is vested in the

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Established by Act No. 56 of 1971 and with three

amendments in 1976, 1984 and 1990, the body corporate, has the sole responsibility for National

Policy on Standards, Standards Specification, Quality Control and Metrology.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria is an active member of the African Regional Organisation for

Standardisation (ARSO), Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is the Food Standardisation Organ of

the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and is also a member of the International

Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria is also an intending member of the World Standards Services

Network (WSSN), International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) and International

Telecommunications Union (ITU).

SON participates fully in the programmes and activities of international bodies and appropriate UN

agencies, in particular, UNIDO and UNICEF, in the interest of Nigeria.

The Compliance Process

Demonstrating compliance with SONCAP is a two stage process:

The first stage, Product Certification, is applicable only the first time that you wish to export a

particular type or model of product. A Product Certificate will be issued after the submission of an

acceptable Test Report to the local SON Country Office. The resulting Product Certificate can be valid

for up to three years but is dependent upon the age of the Test Report.

The second stage, Shipment Certification, is applicable on a shipment by shipment basis.

All Certification will be performed by your local SON Country Office (SON CO)

The steps involved in the SONCAP processes are shown below:

Product Certification process

Shipment process

Product Certification process

Shipment process

Regulated Products
The current SONCAP applies to the following products known as Regulated Products

• Toys

Electrical and electronic products that could be used by members of the public whether in their homes

or otherwise e.g in residential, office, retail, leisure etc environments. Examples include, but are not

limited to, household appliances, IT products, communication products, lighting products, audio-visual

products etc.

• Used Motor vehicles

• Vehicle spare parts

• Motor vehicle tyres

• Automotive glass

• Vehicle spare parts

• Chemical products (such as motor oils, paints, bitumen, school chalk, kitchenware, tableware and

dinnerware)

• Construction Material, Mechanical Devices and Gas Appliances (such as galvanised steel products,
taps and valves, ceramic and sanitaryware, false ceilings, gas cylinders, kerosene stoves and

hurricane lamps, aluminium products, Mechanical Backpack

• Sprayers, pressure cookers, cement and gypsum etc)

• Paper and stationery items

• Protective Safety Equipment (Such As Fire Fighting Equipment, Electronic Security Equipment Etc)

Click here for a detailed list of regulated products that are currently covered within the SONCAP.

From the 5th September 2009, the SONCAP will be extended to cover all products except those

regulated by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). In addition

to the products covered under NAFDAC, products that are also exempt from the SONCAP include:

• Food products

• Drugs

• Medical Products (other than equipment and machines

• Chemicals used a raw materials

• Military ware and equipment

• Aviation related products

• Industrial Machinery for manufacturing

• Used products (other than automobiles)

• CKD bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles for bonafide manufacturers/assemblers

A full list of exempt products can be found within the Resources Centre.

FAQ
Q1. What does SONCAP stand for?

SONCAP stands for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program.

Q2. What is the objective of SONCAP?

The SONCAP is a product conformity scheme whose objective is to help ensure that products exported
to Nigeria meet minimum safety requirements. This will help ensure that Nigerian consumers are not

exposed to potentially unsafe and sub-standard goods.

Q3. What products are covered by the SONCAP?

From 5th September 2009, all products are covered by SONCAP except those regulated by the

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). In addition to the products

covered under NAFDAC, products that are also exempt from the SONCAP include:

1. Food products

2. Drugs

3. Medical Products (other than equipment and machines

4. Chemicals used a raw materials

5. Military ware and equipment

6. Aviation related products

7. Industrial Machinery for manufacturing

8. Used products (other than automobiles)

9. CKD bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles for bonafide manufacturers/assemblers

Q4. What is the relationship between SONCAP and PSI?

For Regulated Products, SONCAP is independent of and additional to any other import processes e.g.

PSI.

Q5. What will it cost to comply with SONCAP?

The fees for demonstrating compliance with SONCAP are detailed within the "Guidelines for Exporters"

document which can be obtained from SON or your local SON Country Office or from

http://www.soncap.com/downloads.html.
Q6. What are the benefits of SONCAP to Nigeria?

SONCAP will enhance the protection of the Nigerian consumer from unsafe and sub-standard products.

In addition it will help Nigerian manufacturers to compete on a level playing field with imports since it

will help prevent the import of products which are often cheaper due to their non compliance with

safety standards.

Q7. What will happen if SONCAP is not complied with?

Regulated Products arriving at Nigerian ports without the necessary Certificate required by SONCAP

may be rejected at the port and refused release. The importer/exporter will then be required to re-

export the goods or face delays while the goods are sampled and then tested to safety standards. The

exporter/importer will be expected to bear all expenses related to this activity.

Q8. When does SONCAP come into force?

The SONCAP has been in a voluntary transition period since 01 March 2005. From 01 September 2005

SONCAP will become mandatory for products within its scope.

Q9. Who enforces the SONCAP?

The SONCAP will be enforced by the SON Enforcement Unit. The presentation of SONCAP Certification ,

which consists of a Product Certificate and a SONCAP Certificate will be the means through which the

SONCAP will be enforced. Both of these items are mandatory clearance documents for Regulated

Products in addition to any PSI documentation.

Q10. Who has to demonstrate compliance with the SONCAP?

The responsibility for demonstrating compliance lies with the exporter to Nigeria. The compliance

process should be undertaken in the country of export.

Q11. How do exporters show compliance with the SONCAP?

Compliance with the SONCAP is a two stage process.

The first stage, Product Certification, is applicable only the first time that you wish to export a

particular type or model of product. A Product Certificate will be issued after the submission of an

acceptable Test Report to the local SON Country Office. The resulting Product Certificate can be valid

for up to three years. The second stage, SONCAP Certification, is applicable on a shipment by shipment

basis.

The detailed process is contained within the "Guidelines for Exporters" document which can be

obtained from SON or your local SON Country Office or from our Downloads section.

Q12. From where can the required Certificates be obtained?

SON have established a global network of SON Country Offices in all the major trading partners of

Nigeria. All activities related to SONCAP must be performed in the country of export by the exporter

through the SON Country Office with geographical responsibility for that country of export closest to

the Exporter. The SON Country Office responsible for any given country can be found in Geographic

Areas of Responsibility for SONCOs.

Q13. With whom can I speak to find out further information about the SONCAP?

You can speak to your nearest SON Country Office whose contact details can be found at SON Country

Offices.