By Charles Okonji
As part of efforts geared towards enforcement of quality vehicles in the Nigerian market, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) have jointly introduced the SON-NADDCVehCAP regulatory regime, which is not new, but as an enhancement of the existing conformity assessment frameworks, aimed at improving efficiency, safety, transparency, and service delivery in the automotive importation and production value chain.
This sensitisation on behalf of the Federal Government, wishes to address recent public concerns regarding the launch of the SON-NADDC Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP), particularly issues relating to public sensitisation and the treatment of vehicles without VehCAP certification at the ports.
The Federal Government of Nigeria remains a responsive and people-centred administration, committed to safeguarding lives and ensuring the quality of goods within the country.
According to the joint press release signed the the DG of SON, Dr. Chinonso Okeke, the DG of NADDC, OtunbaJosephOsanipin; “line with this responsibility, SON-NADDCVehCAP has been introduced not as an entirely new regulatory regime, but as an enhancement of existing conformity assessment frameworks, aimed at improving efficiency, safety, transparency, and service delivery in the automotive importation and production value chain.
“We wish to reassure the public that VehCAP is primarily designed to facilitate pre-shipment verification of conformity of both used and new vehicles to applicable Nigerian standards.
“However, government has deliberately put in place transitional and complementary measures to ensure that trade is not disrupted.
“Accordingly, vehicles that arrive in Nigeria without SON-NADDC VehCAP certification will not be stranded or arbitrarily stopped at the ports. Such vehicles will be allowed to proceed through the normal customs clearance process.”
The press release noted that importers will be required to present the vehicles for mandatory destination inspection and in-country verification of conformity at designated testing centres, adding that when successfully verified, the necessary clearance documentation will be issued to enable the processing of vehicle registration and licensing.
It is important to emphasise that the overarching objective of VehCAP is to protect human lives, ensure product quality, and enforce compliance with national standards, particularly in view of the safety implications associated with substandard or unregulated vehicle imports, the press release stated.
“Furthermore, the Government recognises the importance of stakeholder engagement and public awareness. The recent programme launch marks the beginning of a nationwide sensitisation campaign, which will be carried out across the country to ensure that all stakeholders, importers, dealers, regulators, and the general public, are adequately informed and guided.
“As part of the implementation strategy, a 90-day transition window will be provided upon full commencement of the programme. During this period, vehicles imported without VehCAP certification will continue to be eligible for in-country conformity assessment. It is expected that within this timeframe, importers will progressively align with the pre-shipment verification requirements. Notwithstanding this transition, provisions for destination verification will remain in place for non-compliant imports where necessary.
“The Federal Government, through SON , NADDC and other relevant partner agencies, reiterates that VehCAP is structured to facilitate trade rather than hinder it, while ensuring that only safe and compliant vehicles are introduced into the Nigerian market.
“We sincerely appreciate the concerns and feedback expressed by members of the public. Such engagement is vital to strengthening policy implementation. The Government assures all stakeholders of its commitment to inclusiveness and will continue to carry the public along throughout the implementation of this programme.” The joint press release emphasized.
