SONCAP was implemented in 2005 and has now become an obligatory requirement for all goods imported into Nigeria. The programme aims to protect Nigerian customers from substandard and unsafe products while also encouraging fair competition among Nigerian firms.
All products imported into Nigeria are subject to inspection and testing under the SONCAP programme to verify that they fulfil the required requirements. Food, electronics, textiles, chemicals, and machinery are examples of such items.
There are several certification organizations involved in the SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program) process. These organizations are accredited by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and are responsible for verifying that the products being exported to Nigeria meet Nigerian safety and quality standards.
Some of the certification organizations involved in the SONCAP process include:
1. Bureau Veritas
2. Intertek
3. SGS
4. Cotecna
5. Globalcompliance
These organizations have been approved by SON to provide certification services to exporters looking to export products to Nigeria. They carry out inspections, testing, and other verification processes to ensure that the products meet the required standards.
How to Determine Conformity of your Products
The import procedures for SONCAP compliance in Nigeria require importers to possess specific documentation for each shipment of regulated goods. These documents include a Product Certificate (PC) issued by Cotecna, as well as a Certificate of Conformity (COC) known as the SONCAP Certificate (SC), also issued by Cotecna. To obtain the SC, a valid PC must first be obtained. The PC is necessary for initiating the Form M, which is a document used to provide advance notice of the goods to be imported into Nigeria. Three types of PCs exist, and they are explained below.
Cotecna offers exporters the opportunity to obtain both a Product Certificate (PC) and a SONCAP Certificate (SC) using one of three compliance levels, known as "Routes". These Routes are defined by SON and are used to evaluate conformity procedures for products that fall under the SONCAP program.
ROUTE A – unregistered or unlicensed products (Verification of Conformity)
To obtain a SON Product Certificate (PC) through this route, an inspection, sampling, and testing must be conducted to ensure conformity with Nigerian or similar international standards. The testing is done on samples taken from the shipment during the inspection process. The unregistered PC is only valid for the shipment it was issued for and cannot be reused. The validity period of the PC is six months. This route is suitable for importers who have irregular or one-time imports. The following are the steps involved in processing and obtaining the SON PC through this route.
The initial step is to submit test findings or documents from an accredited laboratory to an authorised SON agency. If no test results are available, the agency will collect samples from the items for testing to establish compliance with applicable Nigerian or international standards. Only test reports supplied by ISO 17025 recognised laboratories are allowed. If the manufacturer's laboratory is used for testing, SON-accredited agencies such as SGS, COTECNA, or INTERTEK must be present.
The SC will be issued if the following criteria are met: the request for the SC form is properly completed, the testing is successful, the shipment is examined and witnessed for stuffing and attaching of seals for Full Container Load (FCL), and the final documents are satisfactory. If these standards are not met, a Non Conformity Report (NCR) will be issued to the shipment.
ROUTE B – For Registered Products (Registration and Conformity Inspection)
Exporters or manufacturers who make frequent shipments to Nigeria and have a quality management system can apply for Product Certification through "Route B" if they have demonstrated an acceptable level of compliance during shipment verification in "Route A".
Under "Route B", product registration occurs after the products have undergone type testing to ensure conformity with the applicable standards. Additionally, an assessment of the manufacturer's quality system is conducted to confirm that the necessary systems are in place to consistently produce the same quality product over time.
A satisfactory audit of the manufacturer's factory is required to get a Product Certificate with Registered Status via "Route B." This certificate is only good for a year. If a manufacturer/exporter has a solid track record of compliance under "Route A," they can be promoted to "Route B."
The second phase entails submitting test reports from a certified laboratory or the manufacturer, which must be witnessed by SGS, INTERTEK, and COTECNA. The chosen SON agency will subsequently test samples from shipments selectively in accordance with SONCAP criteria.
The SONCAP Certificate (SC) will be issued in the third phase if the following conditions are met: the request for the SC form is duly completed, and a valid Product Registration is provided.
ROUTE C – For Licensed products (Product Certification Systems)
Manufacturers who have frequent shipments to Nigeria or have demonstrated a high level of compliance under Route B can apply for Product Licensing under Route C.
This route involves product evaluation and licensing according to the applicable standards, selective consignment inspection, and the witnessing of stuffing and affixing of seals for Full Container Load (FCL). The licensing of products is based on a detailed product evaluation, including testing, factory audits, and regular surveillances.
The following steps are involved in getting a SONCAP certificate via Route C:
1. To receive a Product Certificate that is valid for one year, manufacturers must undertake a factory audit. Manufacturers with an excellent track record of compliance under Route B may be promoted to Route C.
2. Acceptable test results are those produced by an approved laboratory or the manufacturer (as seen by SON approved agents), and they must be provided for each product covered by the licenced Product Certificate.
3. To get the SONCAP Certificate, the following conditions must be met: a completed request for SC form, a valid Product Licence, valid test reports, selective shipping inspection, and receipt of satisfactory final documentation.
Required Documents for Applying for SONCAP certificate
1. Proforma invoice or commercial invoice
2. Bill of lading or airway bill
3. Packing list
4. Certificate of origin
5. Product certificate or test report
6. SONCAP application form
7. Payment receipt
8. Data sheet containing Products’ Description
9. Document containing Production information
How to Apply for SONCAP Certificate
To get started with the SONCAP certification process, there are two convenient ways to apply - online or offline. You can easily apply online through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria's website or opt for the traditional route of submitting a physical application. Both methods are equally effective and will get you on the path towards obtaining a SONCAP Certificate in no time.
Online Application
1. Visit the Standards Organisation of Nigeria's Conformity Assessment Program's official website.
2. To register, click the "Click here to Register on e-SONCAP Portal" button.
3. To proceed to the Registration page, click the "Click here for Importer Registration" link.
4. Enter your Tax ID number and then click the "Validate" button.
5. Fill in all of the importer's needed information and click the "Continue" button.
6. Before clicking the "Sign up" button, enter the contact information, check the captcha box, and agree the terms and conditions.
7. After successfully creating your account, check your email for the Activation email and click the "Click to activate account" button to activate it.
8. Login to the website using the same procedure as before and click on the "Activate SONCAP Certificate" menu on the left-side navigation bar.
Links to agencies that provide certifications will be available at the bottom of the page. Choose an agency and follow their instructions to apply for a Certificate of Conformity.
9. Contact the respective agency and proceed with the application procedure.
10. Complete the relevant application form and provide the necessary documents for the process.
11. The agency will conduct necessary examination and verification processes as required.
After all the procedures have been completed, you will be issued a prior notification.
In-Person Application
1. To apply for SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) Certification in person, you must visit the office of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). The address and contact details of the state offices can be found on their contact page.
2. When you visit the office, go to the relevant department and obtain the application form for SONCAP Certification. Ensure that you have all the required documents mentioned on their website.
3. Complete the application form as required with accurate information and attest it with your signature. Attach the required documents with the completed application form.
4. Submit the application form and attached documents to the relevant authority at the office and pay the applicable fees as directed by the officials.
6. After submission, SON technical officers will conduct an inspection of the production processes and the consignments, as well as testing samples of the product. They will then submit a report to the Certification Directorate.
7. The reports, including the results of the analysis, will be assessed, and recommendations will be made to the Director General for approval. Once the Director approves, you will be notified via phone or email, and you can collect the certificate through any applicable means.
The fees for obtaining Product and SONCAP Certificates are the responsibility of the Seller/Exporter and vary depending on the type of certificate required.
For an Unregistered Product Certificate, the fee is USD 300 per shipment and has a maximum validity of 6 months.
The fee for a Registered Product Certificate is also USD 300 and is valid for one year from the date of the laboratory Test Report.
A Licensed Product Certificate costs USD 1,300.
If additional models are added to the same certificate covered by the same Test Report, there is an additional charge of USD 5 per model per month (or USD 60 per model per year).
If there is a new product, the fee is USD 300, and the amendment fee is USD 100.
In conclusion, acquiring the SONCAP Certificate is a key step for any exporter wishing to export goods to Nigeria. Exporters can apply for SONCAP online or in person by following the steps outlined above, completing the necessary application forms and providing the required documents, and working with an accredited certification organisation to ensure that their products meet Nigerian safety and quality standards. Exporters may confidently traverse the Nigerian market and develop profitable commercial partnerships with the SONCAP Certificate in hand. Keep up to speed with the newest regulations and requirements to guarantee a seamless and trouble-free export experience.
