National Product Certification

OVERVIEW

Product certification is a critical component of the Conformity Assessment systems and is a third –party validation process that assures on a Product’s conformity with the National Standards or other requirements that are aimed to assure on safety, customers’ expectations, performance, value for money, competitiveness, regulatory compliance, low risk, reliability, interoperability, continual improvements and more, to establish quality.

In line with the SON Act 14 of 2015 [Section (5)], SON is mandated to provide Product Certification services as third party assessors of the quality of products and processes, to validate conformance with the requirements of the relevant specifications and Standards.

The validation process includes Factory inspection, Sampling and Laboratory testing/analysis, consideration by the Certification Decision Committee and approval by the Director General/ Chief Executive.

The certification process coordinated by the Department, is based on the requirements of ISO 17065- Conformity Assessment- Requirements for Bodies Certifying Products, Processes and Services.

MANDATE

The mandate of the National Product Certification Department (NPCD), is drawn from Section (5) of the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 which stipulates that SON shall:

• Undertake investigation as necessary into the quality of facilities, systems, services, materials, and product, whether imported or manufactured in Nigeria.
• Evaluate quality assurance activities, including certification of systems, products, and laboratories throughout Nigeria.
• Establish an Import and Export Product Surveillance, Certification and Conformity Assessment Scheme.
• Establish a Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme for locally manufactured products in Nigeria.
• Register and regulate standards, marks, and certification.
• Undertake registration of all manufactured products distributed, marketed, and consumed throughout Nigeria.

QUALITY OBJECTIVE

1. Ensure all locally manufactured products meet 100% requirements of applicable standards and internal procedures before certification, to enhance quality and competitiveness in local and global markets
2. Maintain an impartial certification process, ensuring 100% of certification decisions are independent and free from bias.
3. Improve customer satisfaction by processing at least 80% of applications within 45 working days of receipt.