Important Update on Saudi Arabia and Qatar Cosmetic Regulations

21 Jul 2014

Important Update on Saudi Arabia and Qatar Cosmetic Regulations

SFDA Circular on cosmetics packaging:

On May 27th 2014, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) published a new circular regarding packaging  for cosmetics, introducing the requirement that every cosmetic product shall be sealed to ensure consumer safety. A grace period of one year is granted by the SFDA to comply with the new rule.

As a consequence, from May 2015, all cosmetics imported into the Kingdom will have to comply with this rule and be sealed with plastic foil, aluminium foil, or a transparent plastic wrapper to guarantee to consumers that the product has not been opened. In addition, a warning notice in Arabic needs to be added to the packaging (“do not use if bottle/tube foil seal is broken”; “do not use if film wrapper is damaged or missing”).

This decision has been taken by the SFDA to reinforce the safety of cosmetic products and their compliance with the GSO Standard - GSO 1943/2009.
The process by which this new rule will be applied will be finalized shortly. In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions

Intertek does not provide consulting services for certification. Any consulting activities provided by Intertek are separate and independent from certification activities

For Exports of Cosmetics to Qatar:

The Ministry of Environment has just published an announcement regarding the reinforcement of control of cosmetic products entering Qatar.

From 1st January 2015, every shipment of personal care creams (non-medicinal) for the face and body, will be subject to mandatory control upon arrival and should be accompanied by a Certificate of Compliance from an accredited laboratory, showing the product conformity to the Gulf Standard QS-GSO 1943/2009. The details of the parameters to be tested are not specified in the announcement and will be clarified at a later date.

As a reminder, 3 other types of cosmetics are already subject to this rule: shampoos, henna products, and perfumery products.

For further information, and to learn how Intertek can help you to comply with the above, please do not hesitate to contact us.