International Standards

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General Standards

Standards organizations

The main standardisation agency in Nigeria is the SON (Standards Organization of Nigeria). The agency is in charge of registering and regulating standard marks and specifications.

SON's primary objectives include:

- prepare standards relating to products, measurements, materials and processes

- promote the standards at the national, regional and international levels

- provide certificates for industrial products

- assist in the production of quality goods

Other responsibilities of the Standards Organization of Nigeria are metrology and quality control, establishing and approving standards, as well as determining the overall policy of SON.

Testing and certification of imported and locally produced food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, water and chemical products is provided by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

At the international level, Nigeria's standards are harmonized with:

- Technical Committees of ISO, IEC, AFSEC, CODEX.

- Harmonization of standards within ECOWAS.

- Harmonization of standards within Africa

More information about the main standardisation bodies of Nigeria can be found at:

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) www.nafdac.gov.ng

Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) www.son.gov.ng

Conformity Assessment

SONCAP is a pre-shipment verification of conformity to Standards process used to verify that products which are imported into Nigeria are in conformity with the applicable NIS or approved equivalents, and technical regulations before shipment.

Under the SONCAP regime, imports are required to undergo verification and testing at country of supply (Exporting) and a SONCAP Certificate (SC) issued demonstrating that the products meet the applicable standards and regulations or a Non-Conformity Report (NCR) where the goods do not comply.

The conformity assessment elements undertaken in SONCAP include but not limited to physical inspection prior to shipment, sampling, testing and analysis in accredited laboratories, audit of product processes and systems, and documentary check of conformity with regulations and overall assessment of conformity to standards.

Product Certification

There are four main product certification schemes in Nigeria:

1. Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP)

The MANCAP is a compulsory product certification scheme set up by SON to ensure that all domestically manufactured goods comply to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) before they are sold or exported.

2. Voluntary Product Certification Scheme (NIS Mark of Quality)

The NIS Mark of Quality represents a voluntary product certification system set up to reward excellent compliance to the Nigerian Industrial Standards.

3. Nigerian Quality Award Scheme (NQA)

The NQA represents a voluntary Award program intended to recognize and reward exceptional product compliance with specific Key Performance Indicators.

4. Product-Type Certification for Exports

This scheme refers to the issuance of certificates of conformance to applicable standards in order to facilitate export trade.

Labeling and marking

Imported products entering Nigeria must indicate the following information:

- name of the product

- country of origin,

- specifications

- date of manufacture

- batch or lot number

- standards to which they were produced (e.g. BS, DIN, ISO/IEC, NIS, etc)

- products such as soap, food, drinks and other similar products, require the expiration date (shelf life) and the active ingredient(s).

All items entering the country must be labeled in metric units. Products with dual or multiple markings will be confiscated or refused entry.