Article 6 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
المادة 6 من نظام منتجات التجميل
The article bars importing or circulating a cosmetic product in the Kingdom until it is listed with the Authority and a listing certificate is obtained, under the Implementing Regulations' controls.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز استيراد أو تداول المنتج التجميلي في المملكة إلا بعد إدراجه لدى الهيئة والحصول منها على شهادة إدراج وفق الضوابط والشروط التي تحددها اللائحة.
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 6 explained in plain English
This is one of the most important articles of the law in practice, because it sets a precondition before any cosmetic product enters the Saudi market.
- What is prohibited: importing or circulating the cosmetic product in the Kingdom before it is listed. Under Article 1, circulation covers manufacturing, storing, transporting, marketing, offering for sale, selling and free distribution.
- The two requirements: that the product be listed with the Authority, that is, registered in the cosmetic products register after it is approved, and that a listing certificate be obtained from the Authority.
- The detailed controls and conditions for listing are set by the Implementing Regulations, and the text of the article does not state them.
The following articles complete the listing procedures: Article 7 sets out who submits the listing application, namely the manufacturer or producing company or whoever either of them authorizes. It is therefore not enough for a product to be licensed in another country or circulated abroad; what counts is that it is listed with the Authority in the Kingdom.
Anyone dealing in cosmetic products, importing or selling, would do well to check that the product is listed before dealing in it, and anyone with a particular situation can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial law and food and drug law.
Practical example
Noura wants to sell a lipstick that she imports from a European company through her social media account. She may not import it or offer it for sale in the Kingdom until it is listed with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and a listing certificate is issued for it.
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 6 of the Saudi Cosmetics Law
May I sell cosmetics that are not registered with the Food and Drug Authority?
No. The article bars importing or circulating a cosmetic product in the Kingdom until it is listed with the Authority and a listing certificate is obtained.
What are the conditions for listing a cosmetic product?
The article refers the controls and conditions to the Implementing Regulations of the law and does not state their details.
Does the prohibition cover free distribution of samples?
Circulation as the law defines it includes free distribution, so it falls within the prohibition before listing.
More articles on Listing of Cosmetic Products
- Article 7
The article says who may apply to list a cosmetic product: the manufacturer, the producing company, or whoever either of them authorizes, under the procedures in the Implementing Regulations.
يتقدم لطلب الإدراج المصنع أو الشركة المنتجة للمنتج التجميلي أو من يفوض منهما وفقًا للإجراءات والشروط التي تحددها اللائحة.
- Article 8
The article requires the Authority to decide on a listing application within 15 days of its requirements being completed and to issue a listing certificate, and to state its reasons when it refuses or does not decide.
تبتّ الهيئة في طلب الإدراج خلال خمسة عشر يومًا من استكمال متطلباته، وتصدر شهادة بالإدراج، وفي حالة الرفض أو عدم البت تبين الهيئة أسباب ذلك.
- Article 12
The article requires the Authority to publish on its website the list of cosmetic products listed in the cosmetic products register.
تنشر الهيئة على موقعها الإلكتروني قائمة بالمنتجات التجميلية المدرجة في سجل منتجات التجميل.
- 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.
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.