Article 14 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 14 من نظام منتجات التجميل
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 تتجاوز ثلاثين يومًا من استكمال متطلبات الحصول على الترخيص. وفي حالة الموافقة على الطلب تصدر الهيئة وثيقة تفيد بالموافقة المبدئية، وفي حالة رفض الطلب توضح أسباب ذلك.
2 - تصدر الهيئة الترخيص للمصنع بعد حصول صاحب الطلب على الموافقات اللازمة من الجهات المختصة، والتأكد من تطبيق المصنع لأسس التصنيع الجيد (GMP) للمنتج التجميلي الذي تعتمده الهيئة.
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 14 explained in plain English
This article details the steps for obtaining the technical license that Article 13 requires for every cosmetic products factory, in two stages:
Stage one: the application and preliminary approval
- The application is submitted to the Authority under the requirements and conditions set by the Implementing Regulations.
- The Authority decides on it within a period of no more than 30 days from the completion of the requirements.
- If it agrees, it issues a document stating the preliminary approval, and if it refuses, it explains the reasons for refusal.
Stage two: issuing the license
- The Authority issues the license after the applicant obtains the necessary approvals from the competent authorities.
- And after confirming that the factory applies the good manufacturing practices (GMP) that the Authority approves, which under Article 1 are part of quality assurance ensuring that the product is produced soundly, with consistent quality and in line with the standards suited to its purpose.
The preliminary approval is therefore not the license; it is a step that precedes it. The article does not name the other competent authorities whose approval is required. Article 15 follows, requiring a full-time Saudi technical manager for the factory. Anyone whose application is refused or whose license is delayed can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug law.
Practical example
A company in Jeddah applied for a license for a perfume factory and completed its requirements, and within 30 days the Authority issued it a document of preliminary approval. It cannot begin operating on that basis, because the license is issued after it obtains the approvals of the competent authorities and the Authority confirms that the factory applies good manufacturing practices.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
What is the difference between preliminary approval and the license for a cosmetics factory?
The preliminary approval is a document the Authority issues when it accepts the application, while the license is issued after the applicant obtains the necessary approvals from the competent authorities and it is confirmed that the factory applies good manufacturing practices.
How long does the Authority take to respond to a factory license application?
No more than 30 days from the completion of the requirements for obtaining the license.
Does the Authority explain why a license application is refused?
Yes. The article provides that the Authority explains the reasons for refusal.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Licensing of Cosmetics Factories
- Article 13
The article requires a technical license from the Authority for a cosmetic products factory, under the requirements and conditions set by the Implementing Regulations.
يجب الحصول على ترخيص فني للمصنع من الهيئة وفقًا للمتطلبات والشروط التي تحددها اللائحة.
- 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.