Discover why choosing the right inverter battery is essential for maximizing performance and how to import them under the SONCAP Nigeria Programme set by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
What is an inverter batterie?
An inverter battery is an electrical device that can transform battery power from Direct Current (DC) to an Alternate Current (AC) of a higher voltage, to be used to power other electrical appliances at home or at the office. It works well with home appliances and medical equipment, traffic lights, and has variation of different capacities. Except in the case of portable inverters, that come with an in-built battery, batteries are often sold separately from the inverters and must be bought and installed separately.
Therefore, when using an inverter, it is essential to use the correct type of battery to enhance the lifespan of both the inverter and the batteries as wrong kind of battery may damage your inverter. The health and working of the inverter depend on the battery.
An inverter functions with the aid of an inverter battery, making the device(inverter) for renewable energy backup power.
There are 2 major batteries for use of inverter: lead-calcium batteries and lithium-ion batteries.
- Lithium battery - Lithium-ion batteries are far superior in terms of performance, longevity, and maintenance; they last longer, produce more power.
- Lead acid battery: generating DC current when lead and lead dioxide react with it. Lead-acid batteries are also used in cars, but if you want to power your microwave, fridge, and other appliances you need a lead-acid battery specifically for use with inverters.
How to import inverter batteries in Nigeria?
Inverter batteries are high risk, so they are listed under life endangering items, and they are regulated products under Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Necessary documents required to import inverter batteries are Quality Management document ISO 17025 Test Report; Export declaration form and a Product Certificate:
- Product certificate Unregistered (PCU) is a one-time use PC, valid for 6months which means that you would need to ship within 6months and obtain your SONCAP within this period.
- Product Certificate Licensed (PCL) is valid for a year. It is issued to manufacturers that are brand owners and have factories in different countries of origin. All the countries are listed on one product certificate and can be used to open multiple Forms M. The Product Certificate Licensed could be used to process multiple SONCAP requests within the validity of a year.
Standard organisation of Nigeria will carry out product registration on these inverters immediately is moved to the importers warehouse to ascertain they have gone through the testing and inspection at the country of origin before imported into Nigeria. SON logo is usually endorsed at the end of the product registration process.
Since 2013, Cotecna has been officially appointed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to join Nigeria’s revised Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP).
Therefore, as part of the SONCAP program, Cotecna is authorized to carry out verification of conformity of imported goods and issues Product Certificates (PC) and SONCAP Certificates (SC).
For more information on how to obtain the regulatory certificates, please contact us directly.
You can also find out more about the SONCAP Programme by downloading our complete exporter guide.
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.