Article 13 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 13 من نظام منتجات التجميل
The article requires a technical license from the Authority for a cosmetic products factory, under the requirements and conditions set by the Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب الحصول على ترخيص فني للمصنع من الهيئة وفقًا للمتطلبات والشروط التي تحددها اللائحة.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article sets a basic requirement for anyone who wants to manufacture cosmetic products locally: a technical license for the factory, issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, is needed.
Under the definition in Article 1, a factory is the local establishment where the cosmetic product is manufactured, so this rule concerns factories located inside the Kingdom.
- The licensing body: the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
- The requirements and conditions: set by the Implementing Regulations, and not stated in the text of the article.
Article 14 follows to set out the procedures for obtaining this license: the application is submitted to the Authority under the Implementing Regulations' requirements, and the Authority decides on it within no more than 30 days of the requirements being completed; if it agrees, it issues a preliminary approval document, and if it refuses, it explains the reasons. The license is then issued after the applicant obtains the necessary approvals from the competent authorities and it is confirmed that the factory applies good manufacturing practices (GMP).
Anyone planning to set up a cosmetics factory would do well to review the Implementing Regulations' requirements early, and can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug law.
Practical example
Majed wants to set up a factory in an industrial area in Qassim to produce hair creams. It is not enough to prepare the building and machinery; he must obtain a technical license for the factory from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority under the requirements set by the Implementing Regulations.
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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Frequently asked questions about Article 13 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
Does a cosmetics factory need a license from the Food and Drug Authority?
Yes. The article requires a technical license for the factory from the Authority.
What are the conditions for licensing a cosmetics factory?
The article refers the requirements and conditions to the Implementing Regulations of the law.
How long does it take to decide on a factory license application?
Article 14 provides that the Authority decides on the application within no more than 30 days of the requirements being completed.
More articles on Licensing of Cosmetics Factories
- Article 14
The article sets out the procedures for the technical license of a cosmetics factory: an application decided within 30 days by preliminary approval or reasoned refusal, then a license after the necessary approvals and confirmation that GMP is applied.
يتم الحصول على الترخيص الفني للمصنع وفقًا للإجراءات الآتية: 1 - يقدم طلب للهيئة وفقًا للمتطلبات والشروط التي تحددها اللائحة، وتبت الهيئة في الطلب خلال مدة لا تت
- Article 15
The article requires a cosmetic products factory to have a full-time Saudi technical manager, as set by the Implementing Regulations.
يجب أن يكون للمصنع مدير فني سعودي متفرغ تفرغًا كاملًا وفقًا لما تحدده اللائحة.
- Article 16
The article requires the factory to notify the Authority of any change in it, its products or the information it provided, and bars operating it outside what it is licensed for.
يلتزم المصنع بإبلاغ الهيئة عن أي تغيير فيه أو في منتجاته أو المعلومات التي قدمها، ولا يجوز تشغيل المصنع في غير ما رخص له.
- Article 17
The article bars the factory from starting to market a cosmetic product until it has been listed with the Authority.
لا يجوز للمصنع أن يبدأ تسويق المنتج التجميلي إلا بعد إدراجه.
- Article 18
The article requires the factory to apply good manufacturing practices (GMP) and allows the Authority to confirm this whenever needed under the Implementing Regulations' procedures.
يلتزم المصنع بتطبيق أسس التصنيع الجيد (GMP)، وللهيئة التأكد من ذلك كلما دعت الحاجة، وفقًا للإجراءات التي تحددها اللائحة.
- Article 20
The article sets the duration of a cosmetic products factory or warehouse license at five years, renewable.
مدة الترخيص للمصنع أو المستودع خمس سنوات قابلة للتجديد.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.