Article 2 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 2 من نظام منتجات التجميل
The article sets the law's scope: it applies to cosmetic products, their factories and warehouses, and to their circulation and trade.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تطبق أحكام هذا النظام على منتجات التجميل ومصانعها ومستودعاتها، وعلى تداولها والاتجار بها.
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 2 explained in plain English
This article shows to whom and to what the provisions of the Cosmetics Law apply, in four areas:
- Cosmetic products themselves, in the sense of Article 1, that is, products intended for use on the external parts of the body, the teeth or the mucous membranes lining the mouth for the purposes of cleaning, perfuming, protecting or improving appearance or odor.
- Factories, that is, local establishments where the product is manufactured.
- Warehouses, that is, places licensed by the Authority for storing, distributing and trading in products.
- Circulation and trade; under Article 1, circulation covers every stage from importing, manufacturing, packaging, storing and transporting through to offering for sale, selling and free distribution.
In practice, this means that anyone who imports, manufactures, stores or sells cosmetics, in a shop or online, has an activity that falls within this law and what is issued under it. Article 3 completes the picture: the Saudi Food and Drug Authority issues the technical regulations and standard specifications for these products and their factories, and the requirements for the workers in them.
Anyone wanting to know whether a particular activity is subject to this law can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug law.
Practical example
Sarah opens an online store in Jeddah selling skin creams and hair oils that she buys from a distributor. Her activity is circulation of and trade in cosmetic products, so it is subject to the provisions of the Cosmetics Law.
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 contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 2 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
Does the Cosmetics Law apply to online stores?
The law applies to the circulation of cosmetic products and trade in them, and circulation includes marketing, offering for sale and selling, so selling through online stores falls within it.
Does the law cover warehouses that store cosmetics?
Yes. The article provides that the law's provisions apply to cosmetic products, their factories and their warehouses.
Who does the Cosmetics Law apply to?
It applies to cosmetic products, their factories and warehouses, and to their circulation and trade, so it covers manufacturers, storers, importers and sellers.
More articles on Definitions and Scope of the Cosmetics Law
- Article 1
The article defines the key terms of the Cosmetics Law, such as cosmetic product, listing, lister, manufacturer, warehouse, circulation, withdrawal, recall, adulterated and spoiled product, and advertisement.
يقصد بالكلمات والعبارات الآتية - أينما وردت في هذا النظام - المعاني الموضحة أمامها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك: 1- النظام: نظام منتجات التجميل. 2-اللائحة: اللائ
- Article 37
The article makes the Authority's Board of Directors responsible for issuing the Implementing Regulations of the Cosmetics Law, which take effect from the date the Law takes effect.
يصدر المجلس اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام، ويعمل بها من تاريخ العمل به.
- Article 38
The article provides that the Cosmetics Law takes effect 180 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بهذا النظام بعد مائة وثمانين يومًا من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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.