Article 20 of the Saudi Medical Devices Law
المادة 20 من نظام الأجهزة والمستلزمات الطبية
The article bars destroying, reprocessing, refurbishing, selling, lending or donating used medical devices and supplies except under the Regulations' conditions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز إتلاف الأجهزة أو المستلزمات الطبية المستخدمة، ولا إعادة معالجتها، ولا تجديدها، ولا إعادة بيعها، ولا إعارتها، ولا التبرع بها؛ إلَّا وفقًا للشروط 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 20 explained in plain English
This article governs what happens to used medical devices and supplies. It bars six dealings except under the conditions set by the Regulations:
- Destroying.
- Reprocessing, such as cleaning and sterilizing for reuse.
- Refurbishing.
- Reselling.
- Lending.
- Donating.
The article does not prohibit these dealings outright. It makes them conditional: they are permitted only if carried out as the Regulations determine. Anyone who wants to sell a used device or donate it to a charity must therefore first check the Regulations' conditions.
Note that destruction itself is restricted. A used device may not be disposed of in any way one likes, because some devices may pose a danger if disposed of improperly.
This article differs from Article 19, which prohibits reprocessing single-use devices. Those devices may not be reprocessed, whereas Article 20 allows dealing with other used devices under the Regulations' conditions. Hospitals that are renewing their equipment and want to dispose of old items can consult a lawyer who specializes in health and commercial regulations.
Practical example
A hospital in Madinah replaced its intensive care beds and wanted to donate the old ones to a charity. It may do so only if it complies with the conditions the Regulations set for donating used devices.
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 20 of the Saudi Medical Devices Law
Can a used medical device be sold?
Yes, but only under the conditions the Regulations determine, under Article 20.
Can used medical devices be donated?
Donation is permitted if it is carried out under the conditions the Regulations determine.
Can old medical devices be freely destroyed?
No. Destruction itself is permitted only under the conditions the Regulations determine.
More articles on Using and Reprocessing Medical Devices
- Article 19
The article prohibits reprocessing medical devices or supplies intended for single use.
لا تجوز إعادة معالجة الأجهزة أو المستلزمات الطبية ذات الاستخدام مرة واحدة.
- Article 23
The article bars dispensing medical devices and supplies classified as high-risk for use outside a health care establishment without a medical prescription, and the Authority issues the list of them.
لا يجوز صرف الأجهزة أو المستلزمات الطبية المصنفة عالية الخطورة -وفقًا لنظام التصنيف- للاستخدام خارج منشأة مقدم الرعاية الصحية؛ دون وصفة طبية. وتصدر الهيئة قائمة
- Article 26
The article gives the Authority power to monitor health care providers' compliance with applying the technical regulations inside their facilities to ensure devices' safety, security and adequacy.
تراقب الهيئة التزام مقدمي الرعاية الصحية بتطبيق اللوائح الفنية داخل مرافق الرعاية الصحية، للتأكد من سلامة الأجهزة والمستلزمات الطبية ومأمونيتها وكفايتها في التش
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.