Certificate of Conformity for Exports to Saudi Arabia
Cotecna is authorised to issue Certificates of Conformity for exports of regulated products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As a trusted partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Cotecna can help facilitate your exports under the SALEEM/SASO and SFDA Food and Cosmetics programs as well as Saudi Quality Mark certificate.
I. SALEEM Saudi Product Safety Programme
Cotecna is authorised by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO) to issue a Shipment Certificate of Conformity for exports of regulated products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Cotecna is authorized by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) to issue a Shipment Certificate of Conformity for exports of regulated products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Note: As of February 2020, we are now able to help you export your products from Asia into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Product Safety Program, or SALEEM, is part of Saudi Arabia's national transformation programs for 2020 and 2030. Its goal is to ensure that imported products meet Saudi quality and safety standards set by SASO. This program helps protect consumers and the environment from substandard, counterfeit, and potentially dangerous goods.
Cotecna has been accredited by SASO, in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa regions, to ensure the compliance to the applicable standards of all regulated products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Our role includes conducting conformity assessment activities for importers and exporters and issuing relevant certificates on the SABER platform for compliant products. SABER is the portal where importers must register their products and provide all necessary shipment information.
A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCOC) will then be issued for every regulated product. All shipments of regulated products going into Saudi Arabia must be accompanied by a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCOC), which is mandatory for import clearance. In the absence of a valid SCOC at Customs, the products concerned will be refused at destination.
Download SASO Exporter Guide (Link under update – coming soon. Stay tuned!) to learn more about SASO conformity assessment process.
SASO Program Regulated Product List
Discover which products are regulated under the SASO Assessment Programme and which are exempt from certification.
The products covered by the Technical Regulations are referred to as Regulated Products. A wide range of products are covered under SASO program Cotecna notification such as building material and chemicals.
Please click here (Link under update – coming soon. Stay tuned!) to discover the complete list of Technical Regulations.
Contact us to learn more about Cotecna's trusted partnership with the Saudi Arabian government in the conformity assessment process, including product verification and issuing Certificates of Conformity.
II. SFDA Cosmetics Conformity Assessment Programme
Cotecna, authorized by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), issues Certificates of Conformity for all regulated cosmetic products exported to Saudi Arabia, ensuring compliance with SFDA regulations to protect consumer health and safety.
The conformity assessment process for SFDA cosmetics follows these steps: Preliminary Review, Risk Assessment, Evaluation, Preparation, Certification, and Surveillance.
SFDA Cosmetics Certification Process
Exporting cosmetics to Saudi Arabia? Let us guide you through the SFDA Cosmetics conformity assessment process, and the steps you need to take to get your products certified for import into the country.
The SFDA Cosmetics conformity assessment programme aims to protect businesses from fraud and ensure that products are free from defects that may affect the health and safety of consumers. The programme is mandatory for all businesses looking to import their cosmetic products into Saudi Arabia.
Cotecna has been notified by The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to ensure the compliance to the applicable standards of all regulated cosmetic products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and issue a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for clearance.
Step-by-Step Process
Presently, only importers can initiate the certification of cosmetic products. To raise a certification request, importers must raise a request on FASEH platform. Importers can login to FASEH using their username and password.
To find out more about the Regulated Product list, the latest Technical Regulations and other requirements, please contact us.
Routes for SFDA Cosmetics
To assess the conformity of a shipment, the verification of conformity process will follow one of two levels of compliance, named “routes”. The choice of the route depends on the profile of the exporter. These are:
-Route A for exporters with infrequent shipments (Nonregistered products with Cotecna)
It involves pre-shipment inspection and pre-shipment testing of products. Physical inspection can be carried out to verify the labelling/mark age, storage and other visual verification.
-Route B for regular exporters with homogenous products (Registered products with Cotecna)
This process involves product testing and random inspections for compliance, and the statement of Product Registration is valid for a year.
SFDA Cosmetics Program Regulated Product List
Cosmetics and personal care products entering Saudi Arabia must comply with strict SFDA requirements. These cover definitions, prohibited substances, and approved ingredients such as preservatives, UV filters, and colorants.
All products classified as "cosmetics" are regulated under the SFDA Cosmetics programs, and exporters must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to enter the country, with some exceptions for exempted products. For the certification process, it starts with the request made on the FASEH systems and ends with the COC issued on FASEH systems.
To understand exactly which products are regulated and what restrictions apply, download the Regulated Product List (Link under update – coming soon. Stay tuned!)
Cotecnа’s technical team is here to guide you through the regulations and HS codes to ensure smooth compliance. To confirm if your product is regulated and to understand the applicable standards, please contact us.
If you want to learn more about the requirements and processes involved, you can download our SFDA Cosmetics exporter guide (Link under update – coming soon. Stay tuned!), which provides detailed information on the necessary steps and documentation needed for compliance with Saudi regulations.
III. SFDA Food Conformity Assessment Program
Cotecna is authorized by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to issue Certificates of Conformity for selected regulated food products exported to Saudi Arabia, ensuring compliance with all SFDA regulations to guarantee food safety and build consumer confidence.
As a trusted partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Cotecna is approved to support the SFDA Food program and perform a conformity assessment of food and beverage products in accordance with all regulations, rules and specifications approved by SFDA.
SFDA Food Certification Process
Exporting to Saudi Arabia? Let us guide you through the SFDA Food conformity assessment process, and the steps you need to take to get your food and beverage products certified for import into the country.
1. Importers raise a request through their FASEH account and nominate Cotecna as a preferred conformity body.
2. Cotecna receives the request on the FASEH portal.
3. Once your request is received, a dedicated local coordinator will immediately review your submission, and the information provided.
4. A coordinator will check all the necessary documentation and, from this, define the scope of the service. This can also be done ahead of the FASEH request, directly with your dedicated coordinator.
5. To comply with SFDA’s importing regulations, your dedicated coordinator will guide you through the necessary verifications and schedule them, including testing samples and inspections.
6. After satisfactory results, a Certificate of Conformity (COC) will be issued for the shipment related to the request received.
To find out more about the Regulated Product list, the latest Technical Regulations and other requirements, visit our dedicated Middle East website or download our SFDA Food exporter guide (Link under update – coming soon. Stay tuned!)
Saudi SFDA Food Program Regulated Product List
The products covered by the Technical Regulations are referred to as Regulated Products. A wide range of products are covered under SFDA program Cotecna notification.
Please click (Link under update – coming soon. Stay tuned!) here to discover the complete list of Technical Regulations.
Contact us to learn more about Cotecna's trusted partnership with the Saudi Arabian government in the conformity assessment process, including product verification and issuing Certificates of Conformity.
IV. Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) Certification Program
Cotecna is a notified body approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) to review and audit processes for the Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) certification.
What is SQM
The Saudi Quality Mark conformity assessment programme (SQM) is a mandatory scheme introduced the Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization SASO. The programme verifies that regulated products adhere to required Saudi and international standards.
The Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) is a mandatory certification scheme introduced by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). It ensures that regulated products comply with Saudi and international quality and safety standards.
Through factory audits, product testing, and ongoing compliance checks, the SQM confirms a manufacturer’s commitment to consistent product quality. It helps protect consumers, promote fair trade and allows certified products to be marketed and sold confidently in Saudi Arabia.
SQM Certification Process
1. Online application to be made on the SASO portal
2. Document review, including quality documents – test reports, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, etc.
3. Factory audits
4. Corrective actions recommended where applicable
5. Final review and approval, by SASO, for license to use Saudi Quality Mark
6. Surveillance audits
Cotecna’s SQM Scope
- Ceramic Tiles (All types)
- Cement
- Concrete and related products
- Plugs, Switches, and Sockets
- Electrical Extension Sets
Voluntary certification is also available for any other product category, including food and beverages.
Saudi Quality Mark Regulated Product List
For some products imported into Saudi Arabia, it is sometimes mandatory to get an SQM certificate while in some instances it is voluntary. However, in all cases getting an SQM certificate for your products valuable.
To see which products fall under SQM requirements and the detailed regulatory framework, download the Regulated Product List (Link under update – coming soon. Stay tuned!)
Cotecnа’s experts can support you in navigating SQM certification, technical regulations, and HS codes to streamline your market access.
Related Documents:
VOC Contact List (Link under update – coming soon. Stay tuned!)