Article 4 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 4 من نظام منتجات التجميل
The article requires the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to determine the prohibited substances and the restricted substances in cosmetic products and to publish them on its website.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تحدد الهيئة المواد المحظورة والمواد المقيد استخدامها في منتجات التجميل، وتنشرها على موقعها الإلكتروني.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article deals with the ingredients of cosmetic products and distinguishes two kinds of substances:
- Prohibited substances: those that may not be used in cosmetic products.
- Restricted substances: those that may be used but within restrictions set by the Authority.
The body that determines these substances is the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and it must publish them on its website, so that manufacturers, importers and sellers, as well as consumers, can see them. The article does not name these substances or the limits of the restrictions, which are to be found in what the Authority publishes.
This article is part of a connected group: Article 3 gives the Authority the power to issue the technical regulations and standard specifications, and Article 5 has it verify that products conform to these regulations, specifications and requirements, and allows it to use specialized companies for this.
In practice, anyone who manufactures or imports a cosmetic product should check the Authority's published list and make sure the product's formulation complies with it. Anyone facing an issue involving a particular ingredient can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug law.
Practical example
Fahd imports a shipment of hair dye from abroad to sell in Riyadh. Before importing, he checks the list of prohibited and restricted substances published on the Saudi Food and Drug Authority's website to make sure the dye's ingredients are not among the prohibited substances and that any restricted substances in it are within what the Authority allows.
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 4 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
Where can I find the list of banned substances in cosmetics?
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority publishes the prohibited and restricted substances in cosmetic products on its website.
What is the difference between a prohibited and a restricted substance?
A prohibited substance may not be used in cosmetic products, while a restricted substance may be used within the restrictions the Authority sets.
Who determines the prohibited substances in cosmetic products?
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority determines these substances under the article.
More articles on Standards and Prohibited Substances in Cosmetics
- Article 3
The article gives the Saudi Food and Drug Authority the power to issue technical regulations and standard specifications for cosmetic products and their factories, and requirements for the workers in them.
تصدر الهيئة اللوائح الفنية والمواصفات القياسية لمنتجات التجميل ومصانعها واشتراطات العاملين فيها.
- Article 5
The article charges the Authority with verifying that cosmetic products conform to the approved technical regulations, standard specifications and requirements, and allows it to use specialized companies for this.
تتحقق الهيئة من مطابقة منتجات التجميل للوائح الفنية والمواصفات القياسية والاشتراطات التي اعتمدتها، ولها أن تستعين بشركات متخصصة للتحقق من ذلك.
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.