The SONCAP process on importing chemicals into Nigeria
Nigeria's regulatory landscape for chemical imports is designed to protect public health, the environment, and industrial standards. Various agencies, including the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), play critical roles in this process. Cotecna is a key player in ensuring compliance with SONCAP for regulated products , as an approved testing, inspection, and certification body by SON.
Nigeria is part of several international treaties, such as the Rotterdam Convention and the Montreal Protocol, which regulate the importation of hazardous and environmentally harmful chemicals. Cotecna’s role extends beyond national compliance, helping businesses align with these global environmental and safety agreements. By certifying that imported chemicals meet international safety standards, Cotecna ensures that businesses stay compliant with both Nigerian laws and global protocols, safeguarding the environment and public health.
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is at the forefront of ensuring that all imported chemicals meet safety and quality standards. SON provides the technical guidelines necessary to prevent substandard or hazardous chemicals from entering Nigeria. Under the SONCAP program, Cotecna, is authorized to issue the SONCAP certificate and product certificate for compliant regulated goods.
To legally import chemicals into Nigeria, businesses must adhere to several regulatory requirements. Importers are required to obtain an import permit or license from NAFDAC, as well as provide essential documentation such as shipping documents, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and Certificates of Analysis (COA) to Cotecna. Once these documents are submitted, they will undergo preliminary verification. After which, if the test report is missing essential test criteria, a sample may be taken by a Cotecna inspector for testing in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. If the chemical complies with Nigerian standards, a Certificate of Conformity will be issued by Cotecna.
Through Cotecna’s product inspections and testing, businesses can ensure that their chemicals are properly labeled, safely packaged, and meet all documentation standards. This reduces the risk of your chemicals being denied entry into Nigeria.
For businesses looking to import chemicals into Nigeria, working with Cotecna ensures a seamless certification process, while complying with all SON and international requirements.
To learn more about Exporting to Nigeria please contact Cotecna Nigeria or download our free Nigeria 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.