Skip to main content
search

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 requirements of National Standards and other designated Standards or other designates 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 Decision8531103044 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.

FUNCTION

The National Product Certification Department (NPCD) commenced operations in September 2025, following the unbundling of the erstwhile Product Certification Department (PCD), to yield the Department and the International Product Certification Department (IPCD) as separate entities focused on certification of locally manufactured and imported products respectively.

The NPCD is responsible for coordinating the issuance of quality certifications and marks of quality (through designated schemes) for locally manufactured products and Exports. The Department interfaces with the Standards Development Department (SDD) Operations Departments (Regional/ State Offices), National Metrology Institute (NMI), Laboratory Services Department, Inspection & Compliance Department (ICD) amongst other relevant Departments, in the execution of its mandate.

NATIONAL PRODUCT CERTIFICATION SCHEMES

The underlisted schemes are available to cover a wide range of National product, service and process certifications that are required by manufacturers, exporters or consignees to validate quality:

  1. The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP)
  2. Standards Organisation of Nigeria Export Conformity Assessment Programme (SONEXCAP)
  • Halal Certification Scheme (HCS)
  1. Special Economic Zones Conformity Assessment Programme (SEZCAP)
  2. Service and Process Certification Scheme
  3. Organic Production Certification Scheme

For Nano/ Micro Entreprises Certification Support (hand- holding) Scheme:

  • Product Identification Scheme (PIS)

DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE

The following Divisions are responsible for coordinating respective national Product certification schemes

The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) Division-

Its role is to ensure that all locally manufactured products in the Country conform to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and other quality requirements under the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), before such products are presented for sale in the market or exported.

 

Standards Organisation of Nigeria Export Conformity Assessment Programme (SONEXCAP) & Halal Certification Division

The Division is responsible for coordinating the issuance of certifications for Export designated products based on destination requirements. Certificate of Conformity (CoC), Equivalence reports etc are issued as evidence of conformity with inspections, Laboratory testing and other requirements established by destination markets.

The Division also facilitate certification of Halal designated products to the relevant Standards and other requirements.

Special Economic Zones Conformity Assessment Programme (SEZCAP) Division

The Division is responsible for coordinating the issuance of Certifications for products from the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that are designated for Exports to Nigerian Markets. The Division facilitates all necessary support regarding Factory inspections, Laboratory testing and other requirements to ensure product quality and compliance.

Product Identification Scheme (PIS) Division

The Division is responsible for coordinating the Identification of Products manufactured by Nano, Micro and Small, Entreprises that are unable to meet the stringent requirements for certification under the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

The PIS is not a certification scheme, but an intermediary/ hand holding process for promoting continuous improvement and eligibility of the product towards Certification.

The Division also identify dynamic products without Standards manufactured by Medium and Large Entreprises and ensures the validation of the quality, using performance criteria in existing Standards, to establish performance and safety compliance. The Division liaise with the Standards Development Department (SDD) to ensure identified Standards are developed.

Service and Process Certification Division

The Division coordinates certification of the quality of Services and processes which focuses on how services are rendered and products are made (Artisanal Services such as Fashion Designing & Tailoring, Barbing, Cobbling etc) and Process (HACCP, Tourism & related Services, Global GAP, GMP, GAP etc). The Division ensures the establishment of a consistent and effective working process flow, for the production of quality products and Services, thus ensuring customer expectations, safety concerns and continuous improvements amongst others are achieved.

Organic Production Certification Division

The Division coordinates the Organic Production certification Scheme and facilitates inspections, sampling, testing and certification of designated Organic produce and Products as well as processes. The Division ensures all necessary information and support are provided in order for locally manufactured products to meet the current trends and increasing demand for certified Organic products.

35% Value Addition Service Section

The Service is offered to eligible Companies operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and are required to comply with the directive of the Federal Government of Nigeria on 35% Value Addition, under the terms of operations of the SEZ.

Close Menu