Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with NAFDAC. This is general information, not legal advice — register and verify products only through official NAFDAC channels (nafdac.gov.ng and the NAPAMS portal). Fees, timelines and requirements vary by product category and change — confirm the current tariff on the official portal, and beware agents charging inflated fees.
Packaged & sachet water
Sachet (“pure”) water and bottled water are among Nigeria’s most common small businesses — and they must be NAFDAC-registered, since they’re consumed directly.
What you need
A registered company, details of your water source and treatment, water analysis results, a hygienic GMP facility, compliant labels/sachets, and samples.
Fee
The official packaged-water registration fee is around ₦50,000, plus lab, inspection and documentation costs.
The process
- Apply on NAPAMS.
- Pay and submit source/analysis details.
- Facility inspection and water lab testing (microbiological/chemical).
- Review, then NAFDAC number & certificate.
Hygiene matters most
For water, facility hygiene and water quality are decisive — invest in proper treatment and a clean production environment before inspection.
Tips
- Get a proper water analysis done.
- Keep the facility spotless for inspection.
- Print the NAFDAC number on every sachet/bottle.
The full path: CAC to SON NIS
Packaged water — sachet (“pure water”) or bottled/table water — is one of Nigeria's most common small businesses, and one of NAFDAC's more closely scrutinised food categories. The path runs in stages:
- Register the business with CAC to secure your name.
- Trademark (optional but advised) — water products fall under Class 32.
- NAFDAC registration — facility inspection, water analysis and product registration via NAPAMS.
- SON NIS certification — the Standards Organisation of Nigeria mark for packaged drinking water.
Your NAFDAC number must appear on every sachet or bottle.
Water-specific requirements
Because contaminated water is a direct public-health risk, expect stricter facility and testing standards than for a shelf-stable dry good. Alongside the core documents, water plants need analysis of the water source (e.g. borehole) and of the finished product against microbiological and physicochemical parameters, a suitable purpose-built or properly adapted facility meeting GMP, and food handlers' certificates for staff. Packaged water is specifically excluded from the simplest adapted-building MSME scope — the bar for a water plant is higher.
SON NIS mark and local permits
Packaged water is unusual in needing two federal approvals: the NAFDAC registration and the SON NIS mark (Nigerian Industrial Standard for packaged drinking water, covering microbiological and physicochemical quality). On top of these, most producers need a local government trading permit, typically renewable annually. Budget and plan for all three — a NAFDAC number alone doesn't complete a compliant water business. Expect the realistic timeline to run into several months across sampling rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need NAFDAC to sell sachet (pure) water?
Yes — sachet and bottled water must be NAFDAC-registered, since they’re consumed directly.
How do I register packaged water with NAFDAC?
Apply on NAPAMS with your water source/treatment details and analysis, a hygienic GMP facility, compliant labels and samples; pay (~₦50,000), pass inspection and water testing, and get your NAFDAC number.
How much is packaged-water registration?
Around ₦50,000 officially, plus lab, inspection and documentation costs.
What matters most for water registration?
Facility hygiene and water quality — proper treatment and a clean production environment are decisive at inspection.
Do I print the NAFDAC number on sachets?
Yes — the NAFDAC number must appear on the packaging/sachet.
How do I register sachet or table water with NAFDAC?
Register your business with CAC, optionally trademark your brand (water is Class 32), then apply through NAFDAC's NAPAMS portal — which includes facility inspection, water-source and finished-product analysis, and product registration. You'll also need SON NIS certification, and your NAFDAC number must appear on every sachet or bottle.
Do I need SON as well as NAFDAC for packaged water?
Yes. Packaged water needs both NAFDAC registration and the SON NIS mark (the Nigerian Industrial Standard for packaged drinking water, covering microbiological and physicochemical quality). Most producers also need a local government trading permit, usually renewable annually.
What tests are required for packaged water?
Analysis of your water source (such as a borehole) and of the finished product against microbiological and physicochemical parameters, to confirm it's safe to drink. Your facility must also meet GMP standards and staff need food handlers' certificates.
How long does packaged water registration take?
Plan for several months. The official food target is about 90 working days from a complete application, but with facility inspection, water analysis and sampling rounds — plus separate SON certification — realistic timelines commonly run considerably longer.
Can I use an adapted building for a water plant?
Packaged water is specifically excluded from NAFDAC's simplest adapted-building MSME scope, so it faces stricter facility standards than shelf-stable dry goods. Your plant must be a suitable purpose-built or properly adapted facility meeting GMP.