Article 33 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 33 من نظام منتجات التجميل
The article makes destroying cosmetic products the task of one or more committees formed for this purpose, with formation and manner of work set by the Regulations, and the violator bears the costs.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تتم عملية الإتلاف من قبل لجنة أو أكثر تشكل لهذا الغرض، وتحدد اللائحة كيفية تشكيل اللجنة وآلية عملها، على أن يتحمل المخالف تكاليف عملية الإتلاف.
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 33 explained in plain English
This article regulates how cosmetic products are destroyed where Article 32 provides for their destruction, namely seized spoiled, counterfeit and unlisted products when a violation is detected.
- Who carries out the destruction: one or more committees formed for this purpose, so on the text destruction is not done by an individual decision of an inspector.
- Formation of the committee and its manner of work: set by the Implementing Regulations; the article does not state its members or how it works.
- Costs: borne by the violator.
The violator therefore not only loses the destroyed products but also bears the cost of destroying them. Article 34 follows, setting the penalties for violating the Law or its Regulations, including a fine of up to five million riyals, closing the factory or warehouse until the violation is corrected, revoking the license, and imprisonment for up to five years. Destruction is a measure concerning the products, whereas penalties concern the violator personally.
Anyone whose products have been ordered destroyed and who wants to know their rights before the committee can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug regulations.
Practical example
A decision was issued to destroy a quantity of counterfeit soap seized from a distributor in Riyadh. A committee formed for this purpose carried out the destruction according to the mechanism in the Regulations, and the distributor was required to pay the costs of destruction because he is the violator.
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 33 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
Who destroys seized cosmetic products?
One or more committees formed for this purpose; the Regulations set how they are formed and how they work.
Does the violator pay the costs of destroying the products?
Yes. The article provides that the violator bears the costs of the destruction.
Is destruction a separate penalty?
The article regulates destruction and its costs; the penalties, such as the fine, closure and imprisonment, are provided in Article 34.
More articles on Seizure and Destruction of Cosmetic Products
- Article 28
The article allows the Authority's inspectors to take samples of cosmetic products for examination and analysis, according to the controls and conditions set by the Implementing Regulations.
يجوز لمفتشي الهيئة أخذ عينات من المنتجات التجميلية لفحصها وتحليلها وفق الضوابط والشروط التي تحددها اللائحة.
- Article 32
The article sets out how seized cosmetic products are handled when a violation is detected: holding them and their documents where needed, taking samples, and destroying spoiled, counterfeit and unlisted products.
في حالة ضبط أي مخالفة لأحكام هذا النظام ولائحته يتم التعامل مع المنتجات التجميلية المضبوطة على النحو الآتي: 1 - التحفظ عليها والمستندات المتعلقة بها عند الاقتضا
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.