The SONCAP certification is a mandatory conformity assessment for many products exported to Nigeria. The Product Certificate (PC), often called the Product Registration (PR) certificate, is the initial step, serving as the product's "ID card" for compliance.
| Certification Route | Applicable Scenario | Core Application Documents | Review Timeline | Certificate Validity |
| PC1 (Unregistered) | Many models, ≤1 shipment/year | • Application Form • CNAS Laboratory Test Report | ~2-4 weeks with complete docs (can be reduced to 1 week with expedited service) | 6 months, valid only for the applied shipment |
| PC2 (Registered) | Most common, for most non-high-risk products, multiple annual shipments | • Application Form • CNAS Laboratory Test Report • ISO 9001 System Certificate | ~2-4 weeks with complete docs (can be reduced to 1 week with expedited service) | 1 year |
| PC3 (Licensed) | High-risk products with frequent annual shipments | • Application Form • CNAS Laboratory Test Report • ISO 9001 System Certificate • Passed Factory Audit | ~2-4 weeks with complete docs (can be reduced to 1 week with expedited service); may be longer due to factory audit | 1 year |
Detailed Explanation of Application Documents:
When preparing the core documents listed above, pay special attention to:
1.Test Report: This is the foundation of the PC. The report must be issued by a lab with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, testing against Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) or accepted international standards (e.g., IEC). The report itself may have a validity period (e.g., 1 year for electrical and mechanical products).
2.Factory Audit (for PC3): This is mandatory for the PC3 route, assessing the factory's capability for consistent production of compliant products. It may cover QMS, production processes, inspection equipment, etc.
Special Requirements for Electronics: If exporting electronics (e.g., phones, lights, appliances), note these additional requirements:
1.Voltage & Plug: Products must be compatible with Nigeria's 230V/50Hz voltage and mandatorily use UK plugs BS 1363 or BS 546.
2.Critical Component List: Provide certification information for critical components (e.g., fuses).
3.Lithium Battery Products: Require additional UN38.3 test report and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).
Certification Timeline & Subsequent Process:
1.Timeline Calculation: The 2-4 week timeline primarily refers to the certification body's document review and necessary inspection time. It does not include the time you spend preparing documents, especially conducting product testing, so the total actual timeline may be longer.
2.Next Steps: Obtaining the PC is just the first step. Before each shipment, your Nigerian importer must use the PC to apply for a Form M. You then need to apply for the SONCAP Certificate (SC) for that specific shipment for customs clearance.
For assistance with SONCAP Product Registration for your specific product category, contact BLUEASIA at 13534225140.
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