HWAPAN Reaffirms NAFDAC as Sole Regulator of Packaged Water; Warns Against Unauthorized Inspections by SON

RIVERS, NIGERIA — The Hygienic Water Producers Association (HWAPAN), the umbrella body representing licensed water producers nationwide, issues this official statement to clarify the regulatory framework governing the packaged water industry and to address recent jurisdictional overreach.

NAFDAC: The Statutory Authority
HWAPAN wishes to state unequivocally that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) remains the only statutory body empowered by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to register, regulate, and monitor the production of packaged water.
As provided in the NAFDAC Act, the agency is specifically mandated to regulate food, drugs, and water to ensure safety and quality standards for public consumption. This mandate covers every stage of water production—from facility inspections to product laboratory analysis and final certification.

The Role of SON and Limits of Jurisdiction
While the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) plays a vital role in setting national standards for manufactured goods, HWAPAN wishes to emphasize that the Packaged Water Sector is a specialized area under the exclusive oversight of NAFDAC. It is a violation of the existing legal framework for the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to:
Enter, inspect, or seal water factories.
Demand registration or licensing fees from water producers already regulated by NAFDAC.
Enforce “product standards” in a manner that contradicts NAFDAC’s established guidelines.
Protecting the Industry from Illegal Interference

HWAPAN views any attempt by SON to enter water factories as an illegal act that disrupts the ease of doing business and creates unnecessary duplicity in regulation. Such actions not only violate the law establishing NAFDAC but also place an undue financial and operational burden on producers who are already complying with stringent health and safety protocols.
“The safety of what Nigerians drink is a matter of public health, and the law is clear on who manages that responsibility. We urge all our members to remain law-abiding but to also be aware of their rights. Only NAFDAC has the legal backing to regulate our production processes.”

Our Resolution
HWAPAN remains committed to working closely with NAFDAC to ensure that every sachet and bottle of water produced in Nigeria meets global hygienic standards. We call on the relevant authorities and the Federal Government to caution the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) against further interference in the packaged water sector to avoid legal friction and industry instability.

Signed,
Egberi Odiri Mackson
For and on behalf of The National Executive Committee
Hygienic Water Producers Association (HWAPAN)