Article 25 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 25 من نظام منتجات التجميل
The article allows the Authority to suspend circulation of a cosmetic product for a period it sets if it suspects the product may violate the Law or its Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا شكّت الهيئة في أن المنتج التجميلي قد يكون مخالفًا لأحكام هذا النظام أو لائحته، فيجوز لها تعليق تداوله لمدة تحددها 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 25 explained in plain English
This article gives the Authority a preventive power that comes before a violation is established:
- Condition: the Authority suspects that the cosmetic product may be in violation of the provisions of the Law or its Implementing Regulations. The violation does not have to be established here.
- Measure: suspending the circulation of the product, that is, stopping it temporarily.
- Period: set by the Authority.
- Nature of the power: discretionary. The text says "it may", so the Authority may suspend circulation or not, as it sees fit.
The difference from Article 24 is clear. Article 24 concerns the case where it is established that the product is unsafe, harmful to health or not listed, and it requires the Authority to take one or more measures, including delisting, banning circulation, withdrawal or recall, and suspension of circulation. This article concerns the stage of suspicion, is limited to suspending circulation, and makes it optional.
Under Article 1, circulation covers importing, storing, transporting, offering for sale, selling and free distribution, so the suspension covers these stages. Anyone whose product's circulation has been suspended and who wishes to assess their position can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug regulations.
Practical example
The Authority received reports that the color of new bottles of a certain shampoo differed from usual, and suspected that it might violate the Law. It decided to suspend its circulation for a set period pending verification, although no violation had yet been established.
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 25 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
Can the sale of a cosmetic product be stopped before a violation is established?
Yes. The Authority may suspend circulation of a product if it suspects that the product may violate the Law or its Implementing Regulations.
How long does a suspension on suspicion last?
A period set by the Authority; the article does not state a specific period.
Is suspension on suspicion mandatory for the Authority?
No. The text makes it optional by saying "it may".
More articles on Withdrawal and Recall of Cosmetic Products
- Article 23
The article requires the Authority to warn the public about a cosmetic product when it considers that the product affects public health, using whatever means it sees fit.
إذا رأت الهيئة أن المنتج التجميلي يؤثر على الصحة العامة فعليها التحذير منه بالطرق التي تراها مناسبة.
- Article 24
When a cosmetic product is established to be unsafe, harmful or not listed, the Authority takes one or more measures: delisting, banning circulation, withdrawal, recall or suspension.
إذا ثبت للهيئة أن المنتج التجميلي غير آمن أو مضر بالصحة أو غير مدرج فعليها اتخاذ إجراء أو أكثر من الإجراءات الآتية: 1 - إلغاء إدراجه. 2 - حظر تداوله. 3 - سحبه أ
- Article 26
The lister must withdraw or recall a cosmetic product when the Authority decides so; if it does not do so within the set period, the Authority withdraws and destroys it, as applicable, at the lister's expense.
إذا قررت الهيئة سحب المنتج التجميلي أو استدعاءه فيلتزم المُدرِج بالقيام بذلك، وإذا لم يقم بسحبه أو استدعائه خلال المدة التي تحددها الهيئة، فعليها سحبه وإتلافه -
- Article 27
The article prohibits circulation of any cosmetic product that the Authority has announced to be delisted, banned, withdrawn, recalled or suspended.
لا يجوز تداول منتج تجميلي أعلنت الهيئة إلغاءه أو حظره أو سحبه أو استدعاءه أو تعليق تداوله.
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.