The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) introduced the warehouse inspection guidelines for the public and in particular, persons intending for warehouse inspection.
These guidelines prescribe the minimum safety standard for chemical handling, documentation, personnel requirements, facilities and timeline for warehouse inspection.
It should be noted that warehouse inspection is a prerequisite to issuance of chemical Importation permits of listing certificates which are authorizations to market chemicals.
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The procedures involved in NAFDAC warehouse inspection are what will form the focus of this article.
Step 1 – Application
– An application letter on the applicant company’s letterhead paper addressed to NAFDAC which should include names of the chemicals, the quantities required and uses for which the chemicals are intended. The application must be signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Technical Officer of the company.
– The following documents should be attached to the application :-
- Evidence of business incorporation
- Copies of the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART)
- Evidence of Particulars of Directors
- 2 passport photos of technical officer with name and company written on the back of the passport
- Evidence of the appointment letter, acceptance letter and credentials of the technical officer
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for storage/handling of chemicals duly signed by the MD/CEO or Technical Officer with name and designation
- Evidence of payment for warehouse inspection
- Evidence of payment of rent for a minimum of 1(One) year
- Medical fitness certificate for the technical officers which should be presented biannually
Step 2 – Submission of Application
– The application letter and accompanying documents should be submitted at the liaison office of the Director, Chemical Evaluation and Research (CER) , NAFDAC.
Step 3- Review of Company documents followed by scheduling an inspection of the warehouse.
Step 4- Inspection of the warehouse as scheduled.
Step 5- Processing of Permit
– Upon satisfactory inspection of warehouse the permit applied for is processed. For unsatisfactory inspections, a compliance directive is issued within 2 work days.
Step 6 – Payment of Applicable Tariffs
It should be noted that:-
– A processing period of 16 work days should be allowed from the time of submission of a complete application.
– The timeline for processing is suspended when there is a compliance directive and resumes when the applicant compiles and communicates compliance to the agency.
– Warehouse Inspection is conducted annually for importers and marketers of restricted & agro chemicals. It is conducted every 2 years for importers and marketers of industrial and laboratory chemicals.
Requirements For Warehouse
Personnel
– The company representative responsible for interfacing with NAFDAC should be a technical officer with scientific background (a minimum of an Ordinary National Diploma/OND) or its equivalence is required.
– The technical officer must be present during inspection of facilities and must be the officer whose passport photograph was submitted.
Facility Location
– Storage and handling of chemicals in residential building and/or area is prohibited.
– The applicant shall have a warehouse that will be inspected for adequacy and appropriateness for the storage of chemicals.
– The facility provided will depend on the nature of the chemicals stored.
Storage
– The facilities provided will depend on the nature of the chemicals in the warehouse. Some chemicals are required to be stored under controlled (below ambient) temperature to maintain their potency for the validity period.
– Flammable chemicals should not be stored close to sources of ignition or sparks.
Labeling Information on the Chemicals
– All chemicals should be properly labeled according to the globally harmonized system (GHS) of labeling & classification of chemicals.
Safety Requirements
– Personnel are to be provided with masks, hand gloves, eye goggles, overalls and safety boots.
– Appropriate water supply, first aid boxes and fire extinguishers at strategic locations should be in place.
Documentation
– Companies should keep proper records of chemicals imported, sold and/or purchased locally (disposal/utilization records).