SON Certification in Nigeria: MANCAP and SONCAP Complete Guide (2026)
Whether you manufacture products in Nigeria or import goods from abroad, one question will come up before your products reach the market: does this need SON certification?
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) runs two mandatory certification schemes — MANCAP for locally manufactured products and SONCAP for regulated imports. Together, these programmes ensure that products sold in Nigeria meet minimum quality and safety standards. Skipping either means your products are legally barred from the market, and SON’s market surveillance teams conduct regular raids to find and seize non-compliant goods.
What is SON certification in Nigeria?
SON certification in Nigeria refers to mandatory product quality certification by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. MANCAP certifies locally manufactured products before they can be sold or exported. SONCAP certifies regulated imported products before customs clearance. Both confirm compliance with Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and protect consumers from substandard goods.
SON’s Two Certification Schemes — At a Glance
| MANCAP | SONCAP | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme | SON Conformity Assessment Programme |
| Who it applies to | All locally manufactured regulated products | All regulated imported products entering Nigeria |
| When assessed | At the manufacturing facility in Nigeria | In the country of manufacture — before shipment to Nigeria |
| Mandatory? | Yes — all regulated locally manufactured products | Yes — for regulated imported categories only |
| Who conducts it | SON inspectors visit your Nigerian facility | SON-approved Independent Accredited Firms (IAFs) offshore |
| Certificate validity | Ongoing with periodic surveillance audits | Product Certificate: 6–12 months; SONCAP Certificate: per shipment |
| Businesses that both manufacture in Nigeria AND import components may need both certifications for different product lines. | ||
MANCAP — For Nigerian Manufacturers
MANCAP is mandatory under the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 for all regulated locally manufactured products. Categories include electronics, electrical equipment, building materials, tyres, food packaging, personal protective equipment, toys, and many consumer goods.
Register on the SON Portal — E-Product Registration
Create a company account on the SON portal using your CAC RC or Business Number. Complete e-product registration for your product. You can proceed to MANCAP registration without this step, but e-product registration establishes your product in the SON database and is advisable as a parallel first step.
Apply for MANCAP Certification
Submit a formal MANCAP application to SON with details of your product, manufacturing facility, production processes, and the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS). Identify the correct NIS for your product category from SON’s published standards list.
Factory Inspection by SON
SON inspectors visit your manufacturing facility to assess compliance with the relevant NIS — production processes, equipment, raw material handling, quality control systems, hygiene standards, and SOPs. A failed inspection results in a deficiency report. Address all issues before requesting a re-inspection.
Product Sampling and Laboratory Testing
SON officials take product samples for testing at SON’s accredited laboratories against the relevant NIS. All tests must pass. Failures require addressing formulation or manufacturing issues before resubmission.
MANCAP Certificate and Logo Issuance
If factory inspection and laboratory tests are satisfactory, SON issues your MANCAP certificate and unique MANCAP logo number. Display this logo on all products sold in Nigeria or exported. Your facility is then subject to periodic surveillance audits.
SONCAP — For Importers of Regulated Products
SONCAP is mandatory before regulated imported goods can clear Nigerian customs. It is an offshore process — assessment happens in the exporting country, not in Nigeria. SONCAP operates a two-certificate system:
- Product Certificate (PC): Proves the product type complies with Nigerian Industrial Standards. Valid 6–12 months. Based on product testing at an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory. Obtained before any shipment.
- SONCAP Certificate (SC): Shipment-specific — required for every consignment. Cannot be obtained without a valid PC.
Three SONCAP Certification Routes
| Route | Who it’s for | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Route A (PC1) | First-time or infrequent importers | Full product testing at an ISO lab + IAF document review. Most comprehensive route. |
| Route B (PC2) | Importers with consistent compliance history | Reduced testing requirements — relies partly on compliance history. |
| Route C (PC3) | Manufacturers with strong quality management systems | Factory audit required. Fastest route for high-volume certified manufacturers. |
| Route A is the standard starting point for most importers. SON-approved IAFs in your exporting country guide route selection and manage the offshore assessment process. | ||
Need SON MANCAP or SONCAP certification?
EBC Consults guides Nigerian manufacturers and importers through both MANCAP and SONCAP — application, factory inspection support, laboratory coordination, and certificate collection.
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MANCAP vs SONCAP vs NAFDAC — Understanding the Overlap
| NAFDAC Registration | SON MANCAP / SONCAP | |
|---|---|---|
| Certifies | Safety and quality of consumable products (food, drugs, cosmetics, water) | Technical compliance with Nigerian Industrial Standards — broader product categories |
| Issued by | National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control | Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) |
| Both can apply to same product? | Yes — a food product can require both NAFDAC registration AND SON MANCAP simultaneously. Each is issued by a different agency under different standards. Always check both. | |
Frequently Asked Questions — SON Certification Nigeria
Get your SON certification with EBC Consults
EBC Consults guides Nigerian manufacturers and importers through MANCAP and SONCAP certification — from identifying whether your product requires certification, to document preparation, factory inspection support, and certificate collection.
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