SONCAP

Introduction to Certification

It will be implemented on December 1, 2005.

SONCAP is a new policy implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria to inspect and control the export of unqualified and unsafe products to the country.

SONCAP became effective on September 1, 2005, and gave a 90-day grace period, which was officially implemented on December 1, 2005.

SONCAP is the abbreviation of Standards Organization of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme.

 

SONCAP is a set of conformity assessment and certification procedures applicable to certain categories of controlled products imported into Nigeria. The above-mentioned controlled products must meet or comply with the requirements of the Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) and/or other approved international standards before shipment.

 

The purpose of implementing SONCAP is to protect Nigerian consumers from unsafe and/or substandard manufactured products. Most of the above-mentioned unqualified and unsafe products are imported goods and sold directly to consumers.

 

The goal of implementing SONCAP is to ensure that regulated products meet the relevant provisions of acceptable standards, and to facilitate the management of regulated products by relevant government agencies that are responsible for product quality supervision.

   

The category of SONCAP

An overseas activity does not replace any statutory duties of the Nigeria Bureau of Standards (SON);

A certification required for regulated products;

Ensure that the controlled products comply with the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Industrial Standards or other 5 approved international standards;

Ensure that the inspection process includes the following factors:

Appraisal for laboratory use;

The scope of the experiment carried out;

The validity and authenticity of the inspection report.

 

SONCAP compliance program

SONCAP requires a two-step statutory and necessary certification process for product quality to ensure that products meet specific standards such as NIS, ISO, BSI, and IEC.

 

The two-step process includes:

1. Product Certification: product certification;

2. SONCAP Certification: SONCAP compulsory certification.

 

The first step of product certification is only applicable to the first export of a specific category of controlled products to Nigeria. Exporters who have passed product certification will receive a Product Certificate, which is valid for three years. After that, you can apply to open an "M" form (Form "M").

 

The second step is SONCAP compulsory certification, which is applicable to a certain batch of pre-shipment cargo.

SONCAP Certificate (SONCAP Certificate) is a statutory necessary document for customs clearance of controlled products in Nigeria. The lack of a SONCAP certificate will cause delays in customs clearance of controlled products or may be refused entry. It is important to note that in addition to product certification and SONCAP mandatory certification procedures, controlled products must also undergo any other current import procedures, such as pre-shipment inspection (PSI). In other words, the completion of product certification and SONCAP compulsory certification procedures cannot replace any other current import procedures required by the Nigerian government.

 

SONCAP provides exporters of controlled products with two ways to obtain SONCAP certificates. Exporters can determine their choice according to their own circumstances.

 

The first method is called "substantiated declaration" (Substantiated Declaration), which is suitable for exporters whose products can fully comply with Nigeria's standards and regulations. Exporters must submit a test report (Test Report) and a product certification application form (Request for Product Certification, RFPC) to the office of the Nigerian National Bureau of Standards in the exporting country before the goods are shipped.

 

After the inspection report is approved, the importer will obtain a product certificate with a validity period of up to three years, calculated from the date of issuance of the inspection report. After that, before each batch of controlled products is shipped, the exporter must submit a completed Request for Shipment Certification and a Final Invoice to the office. The SONCAP certificate will be issued to the exporter. Merchants in order to handle customs clearance procedures.

 

The second method is called "Unsubstantiated Declaration" (Unsubstantiated Declaration), which is suitable for exporters who cannot submit a substantiating test report (Substantiating Test Report) based on facts. The exporter must get in touch with the office, which provides the exporter with the contact information of an authorized laboratory capable of inspecting a specific controlled product. After the product passes the inspection, the exporter must submit a Test Report and a product certification application form (Request for Product Certification, RFPC, see attached table) to the office.

 

After the inspection report is approved, the importer will obtain a product certificate with a validity period of up to three years, calculated from the date of issuance of the inspection report. After that, before each batch of controlled products is shipped, the exporter must submit a completed Request for Shipment Certification and a Final Invoice to the office. The SONCAP certificate will be issued to the exporter. Merchants in order to handle customs clearance procedures.

 

SONCAP certification type

Type Test + Shipment Inspection Type

 

SONCAP goals

Both imported goods and domestically manufactured products should comply with the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Industrial Standards, which is a legal obligation. Considering Nigeria’s current developing economy status, the Nigeria Bureau of Standards has the responsibility and obligation to protect the rights of Nigerian consumers, that is, the right not to be damaged by substandard imported products. At present, most of the imported goods that consumers can access in the Nigerian market are substandard products.

 

The goals to be achieved by SONCAP are:

• Ensure that the controlled products exported to Nigeria and enter its market comply with the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Industrial Standards;

• Ensure that there is a quality platform for imported goods and domestically manufactured products to prevent unfair market competition;

• Prevent the dumping of substandard goods into the Nigerian market, thereby avoiding losses to the country and importers;

• Avoid loss of life and property, including foreign exchange losses paid to exporters;

• Prevent negative impacts, such as environmental pollution, caused by relevant regulatory agencies when destroying substandard products;

• Ensure the rapid customs clearance of imported goods, thereby facilitating trade;

• It helps to encourage real investors to invest in Nigeria.

 

SONCAP certified products

• The regulated products are divided into the following categories:

• The first group: toys;

• The second group: electrical and electronic products (home appliances, IT equipment, lamps, wires and cables, switches, circuit breakers, batteries and chargers;

• The third group: cars;

• Group 4: Chemicals;

• The fifth group: building materials and gas appliances;

• Group VI: Food and related products.

• It should be noted that the list of controlled products may be adjusted according to needs.