Article 27 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 27 من نظام منتجات التجميل
The article prohibits circulation of any cosmetic product that the Authority has announced to be delisted, banned, withdrawn, recalled or suspended.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز تداول منتج تجميلي أعلنت الهيئة إلغاءه أو حظره أو سحبه أو استدعاءه أو تعليق تداوله.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article sets a general prohibition that applies to everyone, not only the lister: it is not permitted to circulate any cosmetic product if the Authority has announced one of the following measures concerning it:
- Delisting it.
- Banning it.
- Withdrawing it.
- Recalling it.
- Suspending its circulation.
Under Article 1, circulation covers all stages up to the product reaching the consumer, including importing, storing, transporting, possessing, marketing, offering for sale, selling and free distribution. A merchant who still holds stock of the product, or an online store that displays it, therefore falls within this prohibition after the Authority's announcement.
The prohibition is tied to the Authority's announcement: the text speaks of a product concerning which the Authority has "announced" one of these measures. Where circulation is suspended, the prohibition is tied to the suspension the Authority has announced.
This article complements Article 26, which requires the lister to withdraw or recall the product if the Authority so decides, failing which the Authority withdraws and destroys it at its expense. While Article 26 addresses the lister, this article addresses everyone who circulates the product. Anyone holding stock of a product covered by the Authority's announcement can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug regulations.
Practical example
A shop owner in Taif has a quantity of a perfume that the Authority announced is to be withdrawn from the markets. He may not continue to display or sell it, or even distribute it free of charge, because all of this is prohibited circulation after the Authority's announcement.
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 27 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
May I sell a cosmetic product that the Authority has announced is withdrawn?
No. The article prohibits circulation of any cosmetic product the Authority has announced to be delisted, banned, withdrawn, recalled or suspended.
Does the prohibition cover small shops and online stores?
The prohibition is general and covers everyone who circulates the product; circulation includes offering for sale, selling and distribution.
May a product whose circulation is suspended be sold?
No. Suspension of circulation is one of the measures that bars circulation of the product once the Authority has announced it.
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 25
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.
إذا شكّت الهيئة في أن المنتج التجميلي قد يكون مخالفًا لأحكام هذا النظام أو لائحته، فيجوز لها تعليق تداوله لمدة تحددها الهيئة.
- 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 -
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.