The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) is the government agency responsible for formulating and implementing quality standards for imported goods and domestically manufactured products in Nigeria. In order to ensure that the regulated products comply with the country’s technical standards or other international standards that have been approved for implementation, and to protect Nigerian consumers from unsafe products or products that do not meet the standards, the Nigerian National Bureau of Standards has decided to implement regulated products exported to the country. Pre-shipment mandatory conformity assessment procedure (hereinafter referred to as SONCAP).

After implementing SONCAP in Nigeria for many years, the new SONCAP policy will be implemented on April 1, 2013 according to the latest notice. Compared with the previous SONCAP, the changes are very large. The exporter will no longer apply for SONCAP for each shipment, instead apply for COC. After the exporter gets the COC, it will be provided to the importer to apply for SC. SC is directly applied by the importer at the local SONCAP institution. In addition, according to the risk category of the product, on-site sampling testing, inspection and supervision and installation are required.

Three forms of Nigeria COC certification

Option A, for occasional shipments in a year

After the exporter's goods are produced, the inspector will inspect the goods, and then take samples from the bulk goods to test. After the test is passed, a PR report will be issued, and the shipment will be monitored and affixed with a seal. The CoC certificate will be issued after the goods are qualified.

The documents to be submitted are as follows:

1) CoC application form

2) Product name, product photo, customs code;

3) List

4) Proforma invoice

5) FORMM number

Option B, for multiple shipments of the product during the year.

First, the exporter applies for a PC. The process for applying for a PC is as follows:

1) PC application form;

2) Product name, product photo, customs code;

3) A qualified test report issued by an ISO 17025 qualified laboratory;

4) System audit of the factory

The PC will be valid for one year after getting it.

After the goods are produced, the factory applies for CoC as follows:

1) CoC application form;

2) Packing list;

3) Proforma invoice;

4) FORMM number

After the materials are complete, the goods will be inspected, sampled and supervised at a certain ratio, the ratio is not less than 40%, and a CoC certificate will be issued if qualified.

Option C, aiming at the frequent shipment in one year.

First apply for Licence from the factory. The application conditions are as follows:

1) There are at least 4 successful applications based on RouteB;

2) The factory was audited twice and passed.

3) A qualified test report issued by an ISO 17025 qualified laboratory;

The license is valid for one year after getting the license.

After the goods are produced, the factory applies for CoC as follows:

5) CoC application form;

6) Packing list;

7) Proforma invoice;

8) FORMM number

After the materials are complete, the goods will be inspected and supervised at a certain rate, no less than twice a year.