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Q1. What does SONCAP stand for?
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SONCAP stands for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program.
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Q2. What is the objective of SONCAP?
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The SONCAP is a product conformity scheme whose objective is to help ensure that products exported to Nigeria meet minimum safety requirements. This will help ensure that Nigerian consumers are not exposed to potentially unsafe and sub-standard goods.
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Q3. What products are covered by the SONCAP?
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Products covered by the SONCAP are termed Regulated Products. The Regulated Products are shown below and will be refined from time to time to ensure SONCAP is meeting its objective,
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Toys |
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Electrical and electronic products that could be used by members of the public whether in their homes or otherwise e.g in residential, office, retail, leisure etc environments. Examples include, but are not limited to, household appliances, IT products, communication products, lighting products, audio-visual products etc. |
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Used Motor vehicles |
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Vehicle spare parts |
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Motor vehicle tyres |
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Automotive glass |
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Vehicle spare parts |
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Chemical products (such as motor oils, paints, bitumen, school chalk, kitchenware, tableware and dinnerware, tobacco and tobacco products) |
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Construction Material, Mechanical Devices and Gas Appliances (such as galvanised steel products, taps and valves, ceramic and sanitaryware, false ceilings, gas cylinders, kerosene stoves and hurricane lamps, aluminium products, Mechanical Backpack Sprayers, pressure cookers, cement and gypsum etc) |
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Paper and stationery items |
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Protective Safety Equipment (Such As Fire Fighting Equipment, Electronic Security Equipment Etc) |
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Mosquito nets |
Click here for a detailed list of regulated products that are covered within the SONCAP Programme.
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Q4. What is the relationship between SONCAP and PSI?
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For Regulated Products, SONCAP is independent of and additional to any other import processes e.g. PSI.
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Q5. What will it cost to comply with SONCAP?
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The fees for demonstrating compliance with SONCAP are detailed within the "Guidelines for Exporters" document which can be obtained from SON or your local SON Country Office or from http://www.soncap.com/downloads.html.
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Q6. What are the benefits of SONCAP to Nigeria?
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SONCAP will enhance the protection of the Nigerian consumer from unsafe and sub-standard products. In addition it will help Nigerian manufacturers to compete on a level playing field with imports since it will help prevent the import of products which are often cheaper due to their non compliance with safety standards.
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Q7. What will happen if SONCAP is not complied with?
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Regulated Products arriving at Nigerian ports without the necessary Certificate required by SONCAP may be rejected at the port and refused release. The importer/exporter will then be required to re-export the goods or face delays while the goods are sampled and then tested to safety standards. The exporter/importer will be expected to bear all expenses related to this activity.
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Q8. When does SONCAP come into force?
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The SONCAP has been in a voluntary transition period since 01 March 2005. From 01 September 2005 SONCAP will become mandatory for products within its scope.
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Q9. Who enforces the SONCAP?
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The SONCAP will be enforced by the SON Enforcement Unit. The presentation of SONCAP Certification , which consists of a Product Certificate and a SONCAP Certificate will be the means through which the SONCAP will be enforced. Both of these items are mandatory clearance documents for Regulated Products in addition to any PSI documentation.
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Q10. Who has to demonstrate compliance with the SONCAP?
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The responsibility for demonstrating compliance lies with the exporter to Nigeria. The compliance process should be undertaken in the country of export.
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Q11. How do exporters show compliance with the SONCAP?
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Compliance with the SONCAP is a two stage process.
The first stage, Product Certification, is applicable only the first time that you wish to export a particular type or model of product. A Product Certificate will be issued after the submission of an acceptable Test Report to the local SON Country Office. The resulting Product Certificate can be valid for up to three years. The second stage, SONCAP Certification, is applicable on a shipment by shipment basis.
The detailed process is contained within the "Guidelines for Exporters" document which can be obtained from SON or your local SON Country Office or from our Downloads section.
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Q12. From where can the required Certificates be obtained?
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SON have established a global network of SON Country Offices in all the major trading partners of Nigeria. All activities related to SONCAP must be performed in the country of export by the exporter through the SON Country Office with geographical responsibility for that country of export closest to the Exporter. The SON Country Office responsible for any given country can be found in Geographic Areas of Responsibility for SONCOs.pdf.
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Q13. With whom can I speak to find out further information about the SONCAP?
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You can speak to your nearest SON Country Office whose contact details can be found at SON Country Offices.pdf.
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