EXPORT PRODUCE FEDERAL POWERS PRESCRIBED GRADES AND STANDARDS FOR RUBBERS REGULATIONS

What Is This Policy?

These Regulations prescribe the export grades and quality standards for natural rubber exported from Nigeria, setting the criteria for moisture content, dirt content, plasticity, and purity that each grade must meet.

Who Does It Target?

Natural rubber farmers, tappers, and smallholder rubber estates Rubber processors and commercial rubber exporters Federal produce inspectors grading rubber for export

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

To ensure that Nigerian natural rubber exports consistently meet international buyer specifications by establishing enforceable quality grades, protecting Nigerian rubber's reputation in global markets.

Key Features

Grade Definitions: Defines the official export grades for Nigerian natural rubber with specific technical criteria for each grade Moisture Content Standards: Sets maximum permissible moisture content for each rubber grade at the point of export Dirt and Impurity Limits: Prescribes the maximum allowable percentage of dirt, bark, and other impurities in each grade Plasticity Retention: Sets minimum plasticity retention index standards as an indicator of rubber quality and processing suitability Certification Requirement: Requires all rubber export consignments to hold a valid grade certificate before shipment is authorised

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; enforced at rubber processing facilities and export points Coverage: Nationwide at all natural rubber export and processing centres Funding: Federal produce inspection fees

How to Access

Rubber exporters must present all consignments to a federal inspection officer for grading and certification before export. Consignment available for inspection at the designated rubber inspection centre Payment of applicable grading and certification fees Processing records demonstrating the source and processing method of the rubber Application method: Federal Produce Inspection Service rubber inspection offices at processing centres and export ports

Official Resources

Website: www.fmard.gov.ng

Legal Framework

Issued under the regulatory powers of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture or the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) pursuant to the Export Produce (Federal Powers) Act (Cap E24 LFN 2004). Operates alongside the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 2015 and the NEPC Act. Aligns with the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) standards on technically specified rubber and the ISO standards (ISO 2000 et seq.) for natural rubber grades.