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Selling cleaning products and detergents in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, detergents, surfactants and soap fall under the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Technical Regulation for Detergents, which requires a certificate from a SASO-accepted body and set label particulars. Disinfectants are excluded. Public health pesticides are registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and labelled in Arabic and English.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Detergents
SASO Technical Regulation for Detergents
Conformity
Type 3 certificate from a SASO-accepted body
Saudi Quality Mark
Treated as meeting the regulation
Excluded
Disinfectants
Public health pesticides
Registered with SFDA; label in Arabic and English
Platform
SABER, for certificates

Before a product goes on sale

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is it a detergent, a disinfectant or a public health pesticide? Read more
  2. 2Does the safety data sheet list the components the way SASO asks? Read more
  3. 3Does the label carry the particulars, including allergenic fragrances? Read more
  4. 4Is there a Type 3 certificate and a technical file, registered in SABER? Read more
  5. 5If it is a pesticide, is it registered with SFDA and labelled to its rules? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Scope

Which products the detergents regulation covers, and which it leaves out.

  • The Technical Regulation for Detergents (اللائحة الفنية للمنظفات), adopted by SASO's Board at meeting No. (155) on 29 March 2016 and published in the Official Gazette on 3 June 2016, applies to the detergents, surfactants and soap listed in its Annex 1.
  • It also covers unpackaged detergents supplied in large containers or tankers for refilling, at any stage of the supply chain.
  • Disinfectants are excluded from its provisions.
  • SFDA's classification guidance treats general-use disinfectants and cleaners for rooms and surfaces as general hygiene products, not medical devices.

How we help: Compliant Always reads the product's use and formula against the scope of the regulation and SFDA's classification guidance, so the route it falls under is clear. Ask about this

Composition, packaging and measurement

What the supplier provides on composition, and how detergents are packed.

  • Detergents meet the standards listed in Annex 1 of the regulation.
  • The supplier names the components in the safety data sheet (MSDS) by IUPAC name and CAS number, in descending order of weight, in bands of 10% or more, 1% to 10%, 0.1% to 1%, and under 0.1%.
  • Packaging is free of lead and heavy metals; recycled plastic packaging carries the recycling symbol; packs are sealed and leak-proof.
  • Quantities are in SI units, and packs meet GSO OIML R 87.
  • The supplier is responsible for breaches that appear in the product, except those caused after it is placed on the market by poor storage or transport by others.

How we help: Upload the safety data sheet and Compliant Always reads it against the regulation's component bands and naming, and keeps it with the product and lot. Ask about this

Labelling

The particulars a detergent label carries under Article 5.

  • The label shows the product and trade name; the manufacturer's name and address or trademark; a batch code for traceability; the country of origin; the ingredients, including allergenic fragrances listed in Annex 2; the validity period; the purpose of use; directions for use and storage; and any warnings.
  • Information on the label is correct and substantiated.
  • Images and phrases on the pack must not breach public order, public morals or the Islamic values prevailing in the Kingdom.

How we help: Upload the label and Compliant Always reads it against the particulars in Article 5, including the allergenic fragrances in Annex 2. Ask about this

Conformity assessment and SABER

The certificate and technical file the supplier needs, and how it is registered.

  • The supplier responsible for placing on the market obtains a certificate of conformity from a SASO-accepted body under conformity model Type 3 (ISO/IEC 17067).
  • The product is accompanied by a technical file with the supplier's declaration of conformity and a risk assessment.
  • Detergents holding the Saudi Quality Mark, or its equivalent, are treated as meeting the regulation.
  • SABER is the platform in which consumer products and their conformity certificates are registered; certificates are registered there for clearance.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the certificate of conformity, the declaration and the risk assessment with the product, dated, and shows when the certificate is due to expire. Ask about this

Public health pesticides

SFDA's label rules for household and public health pesticides.

  • The label carries the information the user needs in full, in Arabic and English, and is non-removable, on the inner and outer pack.
  • "Public health pesticide" is written on the front of the label; restricted pesticides carry "Used by a specialized technician".
  • Items include the name in Arabic and English, composition, method and rate of use, storage, warnings, batch number, weight or volume, the Saudi registration number, production and expiry dates, first aid and disposal of empty containers.
  • SFDA runs a Registration of Pesticide Products e-service.

How we help: Upload the label and Compliant Always reads it against SFDA's pesticide label items, in both languages. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
Supplier (manufacturer or importer)The certificate of conformity, the technical file and the MSDS, and breaches that appear in the product.Certificate, declaration and MSDS kept together, with expiry dates shown.
BrandA label carrying the Article 5 particulars and nothing contrary to public order.The label read against the particulars, with the gaps shown.
Pesticide registrantSFDA registration and a bilingual label with the registration number.The registration and label kept on record together.

Questions businesses ask

Which regulation covers detergents in Saudi Arabia?
SASO's Technical Regulation for Detergents, adopted in March 2016 and published in the Official Gazette on 3 June 2016. It covers detergents, surfactants and soap listed in its Annex 1.
Are disinfectants covered by the Saudi detergents regulation?
No. The regulation excludes disinfectants. SFDA's classification guidance treats general-use disinfectants and surface cleaners as general hygiene products, not medical devices.
What certificate do detergents need in Saudi Arabia?
A certificate of conformity from a SASO-accepted body under conformity model Type 3 (ISO/IEC 17067), with a technical file holding the supplier's declaration and a risk assessment.
What must a detergent label show in Saudi Arabia?
Product and trade name, manufacturer or trademark, a batch code, country of origin, ingredients with allergenic fragrances, validity, purpose, directions for use and storage, and warnings.
How are detergent ingredients disclosed in Saudi Arabia?
In the safety data sheet, by IUPAC name and CAS number, in descending order of weight and in weight bands. The MSDS is made available on request, without the weight bands or the fragrance and colourant formulations.
Does the Saudi Quality Mark count for detergents?
Yes. Detergents holding the Saudi Quality Mark, or its equivalent, are treated as meeting the regulation's requirements.
Are there packaging rules for detergents in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Packs are free of lead and heavy metals, sealed and leak-proof, carry the recycling symbol where recycled plastic is used, and meet GSO OIML R 87.
Who regulates household insecticides in Saudi Arabia?
Public health pesticides are registered with SFDA, which sets their label requirements, including a Saudi registration number on the label.
Must pesticide labels be in Arabic in Saudi Arabia?
In Arabic and English. SFDA's label requirements also call for "Public health pesticide" on the front and a non-removable label.
What is SABER?
SASO's electronic platform, within the Saudi Product Safety Program, for registering establishments, consumer products and their certificates, which are needed for clearance.
How does Compliant Always help with selling in Saudi Arabia?
Our team reads the rules for the markets you sell in, including SFDA and SASO requirements. Compliant Always shows which apply to your product, keeps the documents behind each one ready, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Saudi Arabia and what your paperwork needs to show.

Get in touch

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