IN D E X

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LCCI BUSINESS YEAR BOOK 2012
In line with the Federal
Government directives and subsequent
Guidelines for Imports into Nigeria, the
Standards Organisation of Nigeria will
endeavor to release consignments of
imported goods to importers' Warehouse
after inspection and sampling within the
Government stipulated period (48
hours).
The issuance of provisional
release letter signed by DG/CE or his
authorized officer will depend on the
submission of/compliance with the
above requirements.
9 HANDLING/SEIZURE OF
NON-CONFORMING IMPORTED
PRODUCTS
The following steps are taken
once it is established with empirical
evidence that a product is nonconforming
specified requirements.
9.1 Issuance of Seizure notice:
!t should be noted that
temporary seizure may be issued when
it is established that an importer or his
agent avoiding or obstructing the
inspection of any consignment under
son's jurisdiction, or when the product
suspected to be substandard during
inspection! Examination. This is
equivalent to detention in the parlance
of the ordinary laymen.
9.2 Issuance of letter of Seizure
A critically non-conforming
consignment becomes impounded
through a letter of seizure. In the event
where the non-conformity falls in the
minor category, the following actions
may be taken.
(a) Bringing to the notice of the
importer of his agent the nonconformity
outlining the corrective
action to be taken and the time frame
(where applicable)
(b) Issuance of a letter of warning
to the effect
(c) Ensuring that the corrective
action or rectification is carried out.
SON will insist on evidence it s
demonstration after granting conditional
release to the importer.
(d) When corrective action is not
applicable directly to the products, other
appropriate action shall be specified to
handle a particular anomaly. The
Director General, according to the merit
of each case, may determine any such
action as from time to time. Importer
shall pay a handling charge depending
on the magnitude of offence.
9.3 DISPOSAL OF NON-
CONFORMING PRODUCTS
In the event of a major non-conformity
or critical failure necessitating the
seizure and destruction of the product,
the following steps shall apply.
(a) The non-conformity and its
attendant implication shall be brought
to all parties concerned.
(b) In the absence of any
litigation, SON shall seek the presence
of the Nigeria Police Force and other
relevant government agencies such as
the Nigeria Customs Services, Nigerian
Ports Authority, Nigeria Navy etc. to
witness the destruction of the items.
(c) Thereafter a certificate of
destruction will be issued to the
importer.
10. NATIONAL PRODUCT
REGISTRATION SCHEME
SON carries out the registration of
products (both locally manufactured
and imported). The registration provides
a data base for compiling an inventory
of products that require standardization
as well as information on quality. It also
provides information on what product is
available, the quality specifications, the
owners on quality. It also provides
information on what product is
available, the quality specifications, the
owners (Manufacturer or Importer as it
is appropriate). It is also used to check
the influx of substandard products into
the country. Registration is renewable
yearly and it is per product. Product
registration form can be obtained at any
of the Organization's Offices throughout
the Country on payment of an
application fee. It is also an exercise
that is of immense benefits to importers
as it assists in traceability to the
importer. The following procedure shall
apply in SON Product Registration
exercise.
(a) Initial application is made to
SON
(b) All SON application forms are
printed and numbered serially. They are
obtainable at the Head Office and/or at
the Zonal Offices nearest to the
1281
applicant on payment of application fee.
(c) All completed application
forms shall be returned to SON
Headquarters with necessary documents
as required in the application form.
(d) Completed application form
will then be forwarded to the Product
Registration Unit for review/processing.
(e) The form is forwarded by the
Product Registration Unit to the
Enforcement Section, Laboratory,
Quality Assurance, Zonal Office or any
other appropriate Section for comments
or verification.
(f) Reports/results of
tests/analysis/visitation/confirmation or
inspections are receive from
Enforcement Section, Laboratory,
Quality Assurance, Zonal Office or an:
other appropriates Section, where
required, by the Product Registration
Unit an, processed accordingly for the
DG's consideration and approval.
(g) Satisfactory reports are sent to
the DG (SON), including
recommendations of the Registration
Unit,
(h) On approval of the DG, the
applicant is asked to pay the required
fees.
(i) Registration Unit, thereafter,
keeps necessary records including
Registration Number, fees paid and
copies of registration Unit, thereafter,
keeps necessary records including
Registration Number, fees paid and
copies of registration documents.
(j) Registration Unit, thereafter,
keeps necessary records including
Registration Number, fees form copies
of registration documents.
(k) Where the product is not up to a full
container load (FCL), administrative
consideration shall be applied.
(1) Registration is per product.
Each product shall be registered
separately.
(m) Registration is renewable
yearly.
11. PRESHIPMENT INSPECTION
OF GOODS FOR EXPORTS
The general requirements for inspection
of locally made goods for export are as
follows:-
Prospective Exporter, wishing to have
his products certified, shall apply to the
Director General, Standards
Organsiation of Nigeria (SON).
The application shall be forwarded