Regulatory Alerts2013-07-30 | TED/FEM/FPC/GEN/01/008New Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP)
The Central Bank of Nigeria's Trade & Exchange Department has announced revisions to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) effective 15th February 2013. Four international accredited firms – China Certification and Inspection Company Ltd, COTECNA Inspection Nigeria Ltd, SGS, and Swede Control International Ltd – have been appointed to carry out inspection, testing, and certification of regulated products offshore on behalf of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). These firms will be responsible for issuing product certificates for overseas manufacturers/suppliers/traders, a requirement for the registration of Form 'M' for SONCAP-regulated goods. The list of exempted products has been updated to include food products, drugs, medical supplies not including equipment and machines, chemicals used as raw materials, military wares & equipment, contraband items, and used products other than automobiles. Bonafide manufacturers who wish to import machinery or related spare parts must obtain a permit from SON. Only product certificates issued by the appointed international firms shall be accepted for approval of Form 'M' by banks for SONCAP-regulated products starting from 15th February 2013.