Article 20 of the Saudi Child Protection Law

المادة 20 من نظام حماية الطفل · الفصل الرابع: حق الطفل في الرعاية والمسؤولية تجاهه

The article requires the relevant authorities to set comprehensive quality standards for local and imported children's toys that conform to health, environmental and cultural specifications, safety measures and Sharia rules.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

على الجهات ذات العلاقة وضع معايير جودة شاملة لألعاب الأطفال المصنعة محليًّا أو المستوردة، بحيث تكون مطابقة للمواصفات والمعايير الصحية والبيئية والثقافية، ووسائل السلامة، وغير مخالفة للضوابط الشرعية.

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 20 explained in plain English

This article concerns children's toys, and requires the relevant authorities, which are the authorities determined by the Implementing Regulations under Article 1, to set comprehensive quality standards for them, whether manufactured locally or imported.

These standards must ensure that toys are:

Conforming to health specifications and standards.
Conforming to environmental standards.
Conforming to cultural standards.
Meeting safety measures.
Not contrary to Sharia rules.

The article is addressed mainly to the authorities responsible for setting standards, but in practice it matters to manufacturers, importers and traders, because the toys they deal in should comply with the standards those authorities set. The article does not specify the details of the standards or the particular authority, or the penalty for violation.

This article follows Article 19, which requires the relevant authorities to set programs to rehabilitate a child who has suffered abuse or neglect, among the authorities' duties in Chapter Four. Anyone who works in importing or selling toys and needs to know their obligations in detail can consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial cases.

Practical example

A trader in Jeddah imports a shipment of electronic toys for children. Under this article, the relevant authorities set quality standards for such toys covering health, environmental and cultural aspects, safety measures and Sharia rules.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

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