Before a product can be placed on the Nigerian market, it usually needs approval from a product regulator. Food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and packaged water are registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Most other manufactured and imported goods, such as building materials, electrical and electronic products, automotive parts and many industrial goods, must be certified by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as meeting Nigerian Industrial Standards.
Getting this wrong is expensive. Unregistered or uncertified goods can be held at the port, seized from shops and warehouses or destroyed, and the business can face fines, prosecution and the sealing of its premises. We identify which regulator and programme apply to each product, prepare the applications, deal with the agencies and build compliance into your supply chain from the start.
Which regulator applies
| Product | Main regulator | Approval needed |
|---|---|---|
| Food, beverages and packaged water | NAFDAC | Product registration number |
| Drugs, vaccines and herbal medicines | NAFDAC | Product registration number |
| Cosmetics, detergents and toiletries | NAFDAC | Product registration number |
| Medical devices and chemicals | NAFDAC | Product registration number |
| Goods manufactured in Nigeria outside NAFDAC's remit | SON | MANCAP certificate |
| Imported goods outside NAFDAC's remit | SON | SONCAP product certificate and SONCAP certificate for each consignment |
| Phones, radios and telecoms equipment | NCC, with SON where applicable | Type approval |
Some businesses need approvals from more than one regulator, for example a manufacturer with food and non-food product lines, or an importer of electronic devices that also need NCC type approval. We map out every approval at the outset.
Who we act for
- local manufacturers launching new products or expanding product lines
- foreign manufacturers exporting to Nigeria, and their Nigerian importers and distributors
- brand owners using contract manufacturers in Nigeria or abroad
- importers who need goods cleared at the ports
- startups in food, beverages, cosmetics, wellness and consumer electronics
NAFDAC product registration
NAFDAC regulates the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water and similar products. These products generally need a NAFDAC registration number before they can be placed on the market. The process involves documentation, inspections and laboratory analysis, and the requirements depend on whether the product is made locally or imported.
- Classification: determining the product category and the NAFDAC guidelines that apply
- Company and representation: registering the Nigerian company and, for imports, appointing a Nigerian representative with proper authority from the manufacturer
- Dossier: preparing product information, labels, certificates and, for imports, evidence of registration and good manufacturing practice in the country of origin
- Inspection: of the local factory or, where required, the foreign manufacturing facility
- Laboratory analysis: submission of samples for testing
- Approval: review by the relevant NAFDAC directorate and issue of the registration number
NAFDAC registration is granted for a limited period and must be renewed, and changes to the product, label, manufacturer or ownership may need approval. Advertisements for NAFDAC-regulated products also need NAFDAC approval before they are published.
SON certification: MANCAP and SONCAP
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria sets and enforces product standards under the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 2015. Two main certification programmes apply.
MANCAP for locally manufactured products
The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) applies to regulated products manufactured in Nigeria. It confirms that they meet the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards before they are sold. The process involves an application, factory inspection, product testing and the issue of a MANCAP certificate, which must be renewed and supported by ongoing surveillance.
SONCAP for imported products
The SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) applies to imported regulated products. The importer first obtains a product certificate confirming that the product meets Nigerian standards, based on testing and inspection in the exporting country. A SONCAP certificate is then issued for each consignment to support customs clearance. Import documentation, including Form M, generally requires the product certificate, so certification should be completed before goods are shipped.
Labelling, packaging and claims
Labels must meet the requirements of the relevant regulator, including product name, ingredients or composition, manufacturer and importer details, batch numbers, dates and, for many products, information in English. Health and performance claims are tightly controlled. We review labels and packaging before production, and advise on the overlap with consumer protection rules enforced by the FCCPC; see competition and consumer protection.
Enforcement, seizures and recalls
NAFDAC and SON both have wide enforcement powers, including inspections, seizures, the sealing of premises, product recalls and prosecution. Where goods have been detained at the port, seized from the market or a factory has been sealed, we act quickly to engage the regulator, regularise the product's status and, where necessary, challenge unlawful action in court. We also advise on product liability and recall obligations.
Protecting your product and your supply chain
- Trademarks: register product names and logos before launch, so that the brand on your NAFDAC or SON approval is protected; see trademark registration
- Distribution and supply agreements: making foreign suppliers responsible for certification before shipment, and appointing Nigerian distributors on terms that protect your registrations; see franchising and distribution agreements
- Market entry: combining product approvals with company formation and foreign investment steps; see setting up a business in Nigeria
How we help
- identifying the regulator, programme and approvals for each product
- preparing and filing NAFDAC, MANCAP and SONCAP applications and following them through
- appointing Nigerian representatives and preparing powers of attorney and agency agreements
- reviewing labels, packaging and advertisements
- renewals, variations and changes of ownership
- clearing detained goods and responding to seizures, sealing and recalls
- coordinating with laboratories, consultants, foreign manufacturers and the regulators
Our regulatory compliance lawyers in Lagos and Abuja help local and international businesses bring products to the Nigerian market. To discuss your products, contact us.
