Nigeria’s NAFDAC Guidelines to Obtain an Import Permit
Lex Artifex LLP, law firm in Nigeria, has introduced the Food & Drug (F&D) Helpdesk to assist individuals and companies involved in the manufacturing, distribution, exportation and importation of regulated food and drugs products in meeting the requirements set by Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (“NAFDAC”). Below is the Nigeria’s NAFDAC guidelines to obtain an import permit for pesticides, agrochemicals, and fertilizers.
NIGERIA’S NAFDAC GUIDELINES TO OBTAIN AN IMPORT PERMIT FOR BULK PESTICIDES, AGROCHEMICALS, AND FERTILIZERS
The following guidelines are the condition precedents for the importation of pesticides, agrochemicals, organic fertilizer and fertilizers into the Nigerian territory in accordance with the NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004.
1. Your company must be duly registered in Nigeria with facilities to effect a recall of the product when necessary.
2. Prospective importers are to obtain the prescribed form on payment of the prescribed fee. The forms are to be duly completed and signed by the Managing Director and Technical Officer.
3. DOCUMENTATION
An application for Import Permit shall be submitted with the following documents:
a) Duly filled application form
b) Certificate of Incorporation. (New applicant only)
c) Certified True Copy of Memorandum and Articles of Association (New applicant only)
d) Current Tax Clearance Certificate.
e) Certified True Copy of Particulars of Directors-Form C07(New applicant only).
f) Photocopy of listing certificate as an Agrochemical marketer
g) Copy of previous years Import Permit (Renewal application only) (Note: originals of items a – d above shall be submitted for sighting)
h) NAFDAC Registration licence (Manufacturers only).
i) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of each the items from the Manufacturer
j) Credentials of the Technical Officer with a minimum of National Diploma in related Sciences and a copy of appointment letter and acceptance letter with 2 recent Passport photographs
k) An electronic version (CD-ROM/flash drive) containing quantities requested using Microsoft Word, If items to be imported are more than ten (10)
l) Certificate of Analysis (C of A) of the products to be imported
4. LABELING
The label of the product should indicate that the product is “Not for human use”. The other labeling requirements include:
a) Name of product (Brand name)
b) The composition of active ingredient
c) Full name and location address of manufacturer
d) Batch number.
e) Manufacturing date.
f) Expiry date.
g) Net weight.
h) Storage conditions.
i) Direction for use
NOTE:
1. Application forms without supporting documents will be rejected.
2. Only the Technical officer and/or Managing Director are permitted to process the application to obtain a permit to import bulk pesticides, agrochemicals, and fertilizers.
3. Importation without a permit attracts appropriate sanction.
4. Applicants must have a warehouse, which shall be inspected for conformity and suitability for the storage of products.
5. Warehouses located in residential buildings will not be approved for use.
6. The Agency must be notified of any change in the location of the company, warehouse, telephone number, or change of technical officer. Any change of the technical officer must be filed with the Agency along with supporting documents including the appointment letter, and acceptance letter.
7. Companies producing regulated products with imported pesticides, agrochemicals and fertilizers shall submit evidence of registration of all their products with the Agency or evidence of production approval (if new manufacturer).
8. The MSDS shall have the following sub-headings:
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Identification of product and the company
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Composition and information on ingredients
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Hazardous identification
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First aid measures
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Firefighting measures
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Accidental release measures
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Handling and storage
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Exposure control/ personal protection measures
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Physical and chemical properties
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Stability and reactivity
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Toxicological information
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Ecological information
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Disposal consideration.
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Health Hazard Data
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Spills or Leak Procedures
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Transport information
9. Renewal of Permits commences from the 1st of November every year.
Nigeria’s NAFDAC Guidelines to Obtain an Import Permit