SON requires that roofing materials be certified for export to Nigeria. Here are three tips to consider when importing roofing material to Nigeria.
What is a building without a roof? From the most simple home to a multi-billion-dollar large-scale development, each building requires some form of roofing material. However, some roofing materials are less available than others, depending on the location of a project. Thanks to today’s global trade network, you can source the perfect roofing material from nearly anywhere in the world.
Here are three tips to help you import roofing materials into Nigeria
1. Local Laws and Regulations
Following the Oniru building collapse, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has increased scrutiny over the quality of building and construction material imported into the country. SON Director General Mallam Farouk Salim called for greater enforcement of approved standards. To successfully import roofing material, SON requires that exporter obtain a SONCAP Certificate from an authorized service provider like Cotecna.
Local regulations dictate how roofing materials can be used, the standard applicable or grade of said material. It is vital to understand what is and isn’t allowed before placing an order for any building or construction material. For example, while some types of roofing material may be more cost-effective, they may not be allowed for import into Nigeria. To avoid incurring unnecessary expenses, contact your nearest Cotecna office to determine if your roofing material is compliant with SON standards before shipment to Nigeria.
2. Choosing a Supplier
SON requires that imported roofing products be certified for SONCAP compliance in the country of supply. In addition, the cost of certification should be borne by the exporter or supplier. Therefore, importers must select the right supplier. While a non-compliant supplier might appear to be cheaper, the cost of non-compliance ends up being significantly more. In such cases, importers can face customs clearance delays or even have their products sent back to the country of supply.
3. Negotiating Logistics
Logistical delays can be costly. To avoid significant loses, exporters/importers must ensure that they nominate Cotecna for SONCAP issuance at least two days before arrival at Nigerian ports of entry. To successfully request for certification, the importer must provide Cotecna with valid conformity documents such as test reports, quality certificates and analysis reports. To be valid, conformity documents must be issued by a third-party or in-house ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. In the event that the submitted conformity documents are missing essential parameters, Cotecna will extract samples and test the products according to SON requirements.
To learn more about exporting to Nigeria or to request for a free certification quote, please contact us.
About Cotecna
For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.