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Insights How Saudi Arabia’s new laws are set to redefine product safety

How Saudi Arabia’s new laws are set to redefine product safety

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​published on 10 December 2024 | reading time approx. 2 minutes

  

Saudi Arabia is raising the bar for consumer protection. The new laws on product safe­ty and standardization, which took effect on 16 November​ 2024, introduce a com­pre­hensive legal framework that holds manufacturers and importers to higher standards. These measures are aimed not only at enhancing product safety but also at fostering greater consumer trust in the Saudi market.

 

  

 

  

A New Era for Product Safety and Standards

Under Cabinet Decision No. 93/1446, Saudi Arabia has implemented two groundbreaking laws: the Standards and Quality Law and the Product Safety Law. Together, they establish a robust legal foundation for regulating product safety and recall procedures. These laws clarify the responsibilities of market participants while equipping regulatory authorities with expanded powers to enforce compliance.
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Standards and Quality Law

The Standards and Quality Law provides a unified framework for standardization and quality control across Saudi Arabia. It defines "quality" as the extent to which a product satisfies specific requirements, meets consumer expectations, or complies with regulatory standards. The Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) is designated as the central authority overseeing standardization and quality-related matters, except for products governed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
  
This law enhances SASO’s powers, enabling the organization to monitor compliance effectively. Inspectors appointed by SASO are authorized to conduct routine checks and enforce adherence to safety standards. By introducing this legislation, Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step toward bolstering consumer protection, ensuring that products meet high safety and quality standards.

Product Safety Law

The Product Safety Law applies to all products in the Saudi market, including those sold online, with the exception of goods regulated by the SFDA. Its primary purpose is to protect consumers from the risks asso­ciated with unsafe products.
  
This legislation imposes strict obligations on manufacturers, importers, and authorized representatives. They must ensure that their products meet all relevant safety requirements, maintain detailed technical documenta​­tion to demonstrate compliance, and issue declarations of conformity. Distributors, in turn, are required to verify that the products they sell comply with legal and regulatory standards. The sale of non-compliant goods is strictly prohibited.
  
The law also delineates clear liability rules: manufacturers are accountable for defects in their products, while importers bear responsibility for items produced abroad. It further outlines comprehensive safety assessment criteria, considering factors such as a product's characteristics, its interaction with other goods, and potential risks to consumers. SASO’s inspectors are empowered to conduct regular inspections and enforce compliance through robust monitoring mechanisms.
  

Penalties for Non-Compliance

To ensure adherence to these regulations, the laws impose stringent penalties for violations. Offenders may face fines of up to ten million Saudi Riyals, business closures lasting up to one year, or imprisonment of up to ten years in cases of deliberate non-compliance. These severe consequences underscore the Kingdom's com­mitment to maintaining a secure and trustworthy market environment.
  

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia’s new laws on product safety and standardization signify a major advancement in consumer protection. By establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework, the Kingdom aims to create a safer market­place while reinforcing consumer confidence. Manufacturers and retailers are encouraged to familiarize them­selves with these requirements, adapt their practices accordingly, and seek legal advice to ensure full com­pliance. With these reforms, Saudi Arabia is signaling its dedication to building a market defined by safety, quality, and trust.​

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