SONCAP authentication
SONCAP Certification: In order to ensure that the controlled products meet the technical standards or other international standards of the country that have been approved for implementation and to protect Nigerian consumers from unsafe or substandard products, the Nigerian National Standards Authority (NIBSA) has decided that the Nigerian Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) is responsible for formulating and controlling the export to the country. Compulsory conformity assessment procedures (SONCAP) for government products that implement quality standards for imported goods and domestic manufactured products before shipment are implemented.
Certification Authority SONCAP
Nature: Compulsory Certification
Requirements Standard LVD
Factory Inspection Non-Necessary Conditions
Technical information
Voltage 230Vac
Frequency 50 Hz
Plugs British specifications BS 1363-1 & 1363-2
Introduction of Compulsory Conformity Assessment Procedure (SONCAP)
SONCAP is a new policy implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria to control the export of unsafe and substandard products to the country.
SONCAP came into effect on September 1, 2005 and was granted a grace period of 90 days, i.e. it was formally 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 Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and/or other approved international standards before shipment.
The aim of SONCAP is to protect Nigerian consumers from unsafe and/or substandard manufactured goods. Most of the unsafe products mentioned above are imported goods and sold directly to consumers.
The goal of implementing SONCAP is to ensure that controlled products meet the relevant requirements of acceptable standards and facilitate the management of controlled products by relevant government agencies with regulatory responsibility for product quality.
II. Category of SONCAP
An overseas activity does not replace any statutory responsibilities of the Nigerian Standards Authority (SON);
A certification that must be carried out for controlled products;
Ensure that the controlled products comply with the relevant provisions of Nigerian industrial standards or other five approved international standards;
Ensure that the inspection process includes the following factors:
Identification of laboratory use;
The scope of the experiment carried out;
Check the validity and authenticity of the report.
SONCAP Compliance Procedure
SONCAP requires a two-step legal and necessary certification process for product quality to ensure that the product meets NIS, ISO, BSI, IEC and other specific standards.
The two-step process includes:
1. Product Certification: Product Certification;
2. SONCAP Certification: SONCAP compulsory authentication.
The first step of product certification applies only to the initial 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 for the Form "M".
The second step, SONCAP compulsory certification, applies to a certain batch of pre-shipment cargo.
SONCAP Certificate (SONCAP Certificate) is a necessary legal document for customs clearance of controlled products at Nigerian Customs. Lack of SONCAP certificate will cause delay in customs clearance of controlled products or may be refused entry. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that, in addition to product certification and SONCAP compulsory certification procedures, controlled products must be subject to any other existing import procedures, such as pre-shipment inspection (PSI). In other words, the formalities of product certification and SONCAP compulsory certification can not replace any other existing import procedures required by the Nigerian government.
SONCAP provides two ways for exporters of controlled products to obtain SONCAP certificates. Exporters can make their choices according to their own circumstances.
The first method, called Substantiated Declaration, is applicable to exporters whose products fully comply with Nigerian standards and regulations. Exporters are required to submit a Test Report and a Request for Product Certification (RFPC) to the Nigerian National Standards Bureau office in the exporting country before loading the goods.
After examination and approval of the inspection report, the importer will obtain the product certificate with a validity period of up to three years, counting from the date of issuance of the inspection report. Thereafter, before each shipment of controlled products, the exporter must submit to the office a complete application for Shipment Certification and a Final Invoice. The SONCAP certificate will be issued to the exporter for customs clearance.
The second method, called Unsubstantiated Declaration, is applicable to exporters who cannot submit factual inspection reports. Exporters are required to contact the office, which provides the exporter with access to authorized laboratories capable of testing a particular controlled product. After the product has passed the inspection, the exporter shall submit to the office a Test Report and a Request for Product Certification (RFPC, see the attached table).
After examination and approval of the inspection report, the importer will obtain the product certificate with a validity period of up to three years, counting from the date of issuance of the inspection report. Thereafter, before each shipment of controlled products, the exporter must submit to the office a complete application for Shipment Certification and a Final Invoice. The SONCAP certificate will be issued to the exporter for customs clearance.
SONCAP Controlled Products
