The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has made significant strides in streamlining export certifications, achieving over 60% harmonization, which considerably eases intra-African trade. This achievement is largely attributed to Nigeria’s active participation in the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), the continent’s primary intergovernmental standards body. Through ARSO, Nigeria has adopted harmonized standards for various products, ensuring that certifications issued by SON are recognized and accepted across numerous African countries. This mutual recognition eliminates the need for duplicate certifications, reducing costs and bureaucratic hurdles for Nigerian exporters. The harmonization of standards, exemplified by products like face masks, exemplifies SON’s commitment to facilitating seamless trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This achievement puts Nigeria ahead of many other African nations in terms of standards harmonization and adoption, positioning it as a leader in promoting intra-continental trade.
SON’s efforts extend beyond harmonization to include establishing Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with counterpart organizations across Africa. These agreements ensure reciprocal acceptance of certifications, further simplifying trade procedures and fostering trust among trading partners. By streamlining certification processes, SON empowers Nigerian businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to access broader markets and compete effectively within the AfCFTA framework. This strengthened cooperation promotes transparency and reduces technical barriers to trade, ultimately benefiting consumers and businesses alike. The collaborative approach fosters a unified approach to quality and safety standards, bolstering confidence in goods traded across African borders.
To further support exporters, especially SMEs, SON actively encourages direct engagement with the organization, advising against reliance on potentially exploitative consultants. A dedicated SME desk offers tailored support, including rebates and other incentives, ensuring that smaller businesses can navigate certification processes efficiently and cost-effectively. Direct interaction with SON officials allows exporters to clearly articulate their specific certification needs, avoiding potential misunderstandings and ensuring the issuance of the correct certification type. This direct approach not only saves exporters money but also ensures they receive accurate information and guidance tailored to their specific export requirements.
SON offers a range of certifications catering to different needs, including the mandatory Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certification for products manufactured in Nigeria. For export purposes, SON provides product type certification and certifications aligned with the import requirements of specific destination countries. Exporters are advised to clearly communicate their intended export destination and the importing country’s specific requirements to ensure they receive the appropriate certification. This clear communication is crucial because defaulting to MANCAP certification may not suffice for specific export markets, potentially leading to delays or rejection of goods.
Addressing the issue of some importers demanding Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) certification, SON clarifies that Nigeria maintains partnerships with internationally accredited firms, including SGS, Cotecna, and Intertek. Exporters are advised to ascertain the precise certification requirements of the importing party to avoid unnecessary costs or complications. This emphasis on understanding specific import requirements underscores the importance of thorough communication between exporters and importers to ensure compliance and smooth trade transactions. The availability of various internationally recognized certification bodies operating within Nigeria offers flexibility and choice for exporters, enabling them to meet diverse international market demands.
Similarly, for imports entering Nigeria, adherence to SON’s regulated product list and obtaining the necessary Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) certificate is mandatory. This requirement ensures that imported goods meet Nigerian quality and safety standards, protecting consumers and promoting fair competition in the domestic market. The consistent application of standards for both exports and imports reflects SON’s commitment to maintaining high product quality and safety standards within Nigeria, while simultaneously facilitating international trade. This dual focus on domestic standards and international trade integration strengthens Nigeria’s position within the global trading landscape.
