SONCAP Certificate for Exports to Nigeria
ALBERK QA TECHNIC is one of the International Accreditation Firms (IAFs) approved to operate the SONCAP Scheme on behalf of SON
SONCAP Scheme includes two main certificates required to assure verification of product quality to meet specified standards
1- Product Certificate (PC), either unregistered, registered or licensed
SON has defined three routes that may be applied as appropriate conformity assessment procedures for product(s) subject to SONCAP, according to type, risk and effect on the health and safety, and environmental protection.
The routes are:
Route A: For unregistered/Unlicensed products (Conformity Verification)
Each shipment to be imported requires inspection, consignment testing to applicable standards, witnessing of stuffing of Full Container Load (FCL) and affixing of seals to FCL upon the conformity to the requirements, the product is issued with a SC, which is valid only for that particular consignment.
Route B: For Registered Products (Registration and Conformity Inspection)
Registration of products is done following type testing and assessment of the manufacturer’s quality system in place in order to determine that the product(s) under consideration is in conformity with the applicable standards and that the manufacturer has the necessary systems in place to produce consistently over a time the same quality product.
Route C: For Licensed products (Product Certification Systems)
Licensing of products is based on detailed evaluation of the product, including testing and factory audit and regular surveillances. If in conformity with the relevant NIS or approved equivalents, the product will be granted license.
However, at least twice a year pre-shipment verification, documentary review, process evaluation, inspection of facility, inspection of consignment to be shipped, verification of testing, witnessing of FCL stuffing and sealing of shipments will be conducted to ensure that conformity is maintained.
Licensing is only granted to the manufacturer of a product and the process is not available for exporter and/or supplier.
In the event of non-compliance with the testing and/or inspection requirements, the IAF shall issue a Non Conformity Report.
2- SONCAP Certificate (SC)
After issuance of Certificate of conformity using any of the above routes; A SONCAP Certificate (SC)must be issued for every shipment, upon shipment verification: documentary verification (including Product Certificate and satisfactory Test Report) and depending upon routes A, B or C, systematic or selective physical verification with, where applicable, witnessing of FCL stuffing and sealing of FCL.
The SONCAP Certificate (SC) is a mandatory Customs clearance document in Nigeria. It is issued by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on receipt of Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the IAFs. The Certificate is applicable to SONCAP regulated products.
