Nigeria Conformity (SONCAP) Certification

SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme) is the pre-export conformity programme applied to regulated products imported into Nigeria. The process consists of two documents: a manufacturer/product-level Product Certificate (PC), and a SONCAP Certificate (SC) issued for each shipment. Products cannot be cleared through customs without the certificate.

• Manufacturers and suppliers exporting to Nigeria
• Exporters of electrical products, automotive parts and construction materials
• Firms working with importers in Nigeria

Mandatory for regulated products and a customs requirement. Assessment is carried out in the country of origin before loading: pre-shipment inspection and/or testing is required. Shipments arriving without a certificate carry a risk of penalty and return.

• Determining whether the product is on the regulated-products list
• Determining the applicable Nigerian standard (NIS) or an accepted international standard
• Assessing test reports and sample testing if required
• Obtaining the Product Certificate (PC)
• Pre-shipment inspection
• Issuing a SONCAP Certificate (SC) for each shipment
• Product marking and label requirements

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• EACEurasian Conformity
• G-MarkGulf Conformity
• SASO/SABERSaudi Arabia Conformity
• PVoCExport Conformity Programme
• CoCCertificate of Conformity
• CEEU Product Conformity
• UKCAUnited Kingdom Conformity
• ENECElectrical Product Safety