Article 20 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 20 من نظام منتجات التجميل
The article sets the duration of a cosmetic products factory or warehouse license at five years, renewable.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مدة الترخيص للمصنع أو المستودع خمس سنوات قابلة للتجديد.
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 sets a single duration for the two kinds of licenses the law provides:
- The factory license.
- The warehouse license that Article 19 requires.
The duration of each is five years, and it is renewable.
This means the license is not permanent but ends after five years unless renewed. The article does not state the renewal procedures, the deadline for applying or its conditions, as these are not in the text. It also does not say what follows if the license expires without renewal, but Article 19 requires obtaining a warehouse license from the Authority.
When the five years have passed, the owner of the factory or warehouse needs to renew the license for the activity to continue on the basis of a valid license, and the article itself sets no limit on the number of renewals.
In practice, the owner of a factory or warehouse would do well to track the license's expiry date and prepare for renewal in advance. Anyone with a problem renewing the license can contact the Authority or consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug law.
Practical example
A warehouse in Khobar obtained its license from the Authority at the start of a year. The license remains valid for five years, and its owner can renew it after that to continue the activity.
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 20 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
How long is a cosmetics factory license valid?
Five years, renewable.
Is a warehouse license valid for the same period as a factory license?
Yes. The article provides that the license period for a factory or warehouse is five years, renewable.
Can the license be renewed?
Yes. According to the text the license is renewable, and the article does not state the renewal procedures.
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 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.
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.