Introduction to Nigeria SONCAP Certification


The National Organization of Nigeria (SON) is the government agency responsible for the development and implementation of quality standards for imported and domestically manufactured products in Nigeria. In order to ensure that controlled products comply with the country's technical standards or other international standards that have been approved to protect Nigerian consumers from unsafe or non-compliant products, the Nigerian National Bureau of Standards decides to implement controlled products exported to the country. Standard Organization of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP). The Nigerian Bureau of Standards currently authorizes CCIC to implement the SONCAP service worldwide. SONCAP's conformity assessment business elements include: pre-shipment physical inspection, sampling, testing and analysis in accredited laboratories, product production process and system auditing, document review, etc. (product) standard conformity assessment. SONCAP requires shipments to comply with Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and/or other approved international standards.

All products except the following are in the SONCAP Control Catalog:

*food

*drug

*Medical supplies (except medical equipment and machines)

*Chemicals used as raw materials

*Military items and equipment

*Prohibited goods under the federal government of Nigeria

*Used products (except used cars)


1. Three ways to apply for a SONCAP certificate

Method A: For unregistered or unlicensed products

Each batch of shipped products must be inspected, tested, supervised and sealed, and finally issued a CoC certificate. It should be noted that the unregistered status product certificate (PC1) is valid only for the applied shipment batch and is valid for 6 months. In the process, if the test and / or inspection does not meet, the Non Conformity Report (NCR) will be issued.

Method B: For registered products

Product registration is through product type testing and evaluation of the manufacturer's quality management system to ensure that the product meets relevant standards and that the manufacturer has the necessary capabilities to continuously produce products of the same quality level. The registration status product certificate (PC2) is valid for 1 year; for registered products, at least 40% of the shipment batches will be sampled and field tested every quarter. In the process, if the test and / or inspection does not meet, the Non Conformity Report (NCR) will be issued.

Method C: For licensed products

Product licenses are based on a detailed assessment of the product, including testing, factory audits, and periodic monitoring. A license will be granted if the product complies with the relevant Nigerian standards or its equivalent. Product licenses are only available to product manufacturers and not to exporters/suppliers. The License Status Product Certificate (PC3) is valid for 1 year; for licensed products, at least 1 batch will be verified for pre-shipment every 6 months. In the process, if the test and / or inspection does not meet, the Non Conformity Report (NCR) will be issued.


Second, SONCAP certification fees


The SONCAP fee consists of three items: the test report fee, the PC certificate fee, and the COC certificate fee.

The fees for SONCAP business related certificates are as follows:

Unregistered Status Product Certificate (PC1) = $300/share

Registration Status Product Certificate (PC2) = $300/share

License Status Product Certificate (PC3) = $1300/share

Add the model under the same certificate, 1 model 5 USD / month, 60 USD / year

For each additional new product, the fee is $300, or $300/piece.

Certificate of Conformity (CC) = $300/share

Change certificate = $100 / share

Non Conformity Report (NCR) = $350/share


Third, Nigeria SONCAP business process


1. CTB customer service personnel provide electronic data package to customers (including: Nigeria business introduction, PC/COC application form (template), etc.)

2. The customer submits relevant information to CCIC customer service personnel.

(1) Application for PC information: PC application form (seal version), PC application form (WORD version), test report (issued by CNAS qualified third party laboratory), 3.ISO9001 (application for PC2 exemption factory) The customer needs to provide the materials required for the inspection, including the organization chart, the factory ISO quality system certification certificate, the equipment list, the calibration plan, the calibration report of the inspection equipment, the production supply flow chart of the shipped product, the 100% test operation instruction book, etc. .

(2) Apply for COC information: PC scan, FORM scan, COC application form (seal version), COC application form (WORD version), packing list, invoice reservation inspection time (please take two to three working days in advance)

3. Data review, audit and inspection arrangements

(1) PC application - CTB customer service personnel review the information and send a fee notice to the customer. After all the information is complete, send the draft PC certificate to the customer for verification and confirmation within two to three working days; if the factory is required to be inspected, the CTB customer service staff and the customer will inform the customer of the auditor information one working day after the inspection time. Send the draft PC certificate to the client for verification and confirmation within two to three working days after the factory is approved;

(2) COC application - CTB customer service personnel review the information and send a fee notice to the customer. After all the information is complete, the draft COC certificate will be submitted to the customer for verification and confirmation within two to three working days. If the inspection is required, the CTB customer service staff and the customer will confirm the inspection time and inform the customer of the inspection information one working day in advance, and Send the inspection notice to the customer for confirmation, and the customer will return the stamped inspection notice on the working day before the inspection. After the completion of the inspection, if the customer needs to update the inspection materials, the final information shall be sent to the customer service personnel on the day of inspection; the customer service personnel shall submit the draft COC certificate to the customer for verification and confirmation within two to three working days after receiving the final information;

4. The customer returns the fee notification form (with the invoicing information) and the draft certificate by email; the CTB customer service personnel receive the confirmation email and the payment water bill.

The original certificate will be issued and mailed to the customer within two to three working days (certificate and invoice mailing costs will be borne by the customer)


Fourth, SONCAP certification considerations


1. The application form, packing list and invoice need to be stamped.

2. The validity period of the test report is valid:

(1) Electrical and mechanical products within one year;

(2) Textiles, daily necessities, toys, shoes and other products within one year;

(3) Food products within three months;

(4) Within three months of cosmetics and hygiene products.

3. If the inspection or modification is cancelled on the day of confirmation, our company will treat it as re-inspection. When the inspector of our company arrives at the agreed inspection location, all the goods to be inspected must be prepared and staffed to assist in the inspection.

Containers must arrive on time when inspecting inspections. If the container is late, our company inspector will wait at the scene for up to one hour. If the container is still not available within one hour, the inspector will leave the company. Your company/factory must re-appoint the inspection time. Our company will charge a re-inspection fee of RMB1500 at the next inspection.

4. Inspection and supervision must be carried out at the same time and place. If the address does not match, the address is not changed or the address is changed temporarily, the inspection cannot be carried out in time, and the applicant company/factory must reschedule the inspection time.

Our company will charge a re-inspection fee of RMB1500 at the next inspection.

5. The applicant company/factory must arrange personnel to assist the inspector of our company to carry out the inspection. If the inspection is unsuccessful, the goods are not aligned, or other reasons caused by the applicant, the inspection may be delayed or impossible.

The applicant company/factory will bear the cost of the re-inspection or overtime. (Re-examination fee: RMB1500, overtime fee: RMB200/hour)

6. The whole cabinet is shipped and inspected by the inspector of our company. Under normal circumstances, 1-2 containers are not more than 2 hours, and 3 or more containers are not more than 4 hours.

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