Article 6 of the Saudi Private Laboratories Law
المادة 6 من نظام المختبرات الخاصة
The article gives the licensed laboratory a period of no more than a year and a half from the date of the licence to obtain accreditation from the Center, failing which the licence is considered cancelled.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يُعطى المرخص له مهلة لا تزيد على سنة ونصف تبدأ من تاريخ حصوله على الترخيص لإكمال الحصول على الاعتماد من المركز. وفي حال انقضاء المهلة دون الحصول على الاعتماد يعد الترخيص ملغياً
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 article distinguishes between two things: the licence issued by the competent authority, and the accreditation granted by the Saudi Accreditation Center (according to the definition of the Center in Article 1). Obtaining the licence alone is not enough for the laboratory to continue.
- The period: the licensee is given a period of no more than a year and a half.
- Start of the period: from the date he obtained the licence.
- The purpose: to complete obtaining accreditation from the Center.
- The effect: if the period expires without obtaining accreditation, the licence is considered cancelled by the text of the Law.
This article was amended by Royal Decree No. M/31 dated 6/4/1443 AH, and the text presented is the text in force.
This period affects calculating the duration of the licence, since Article 7 provides that the licence is valid for five years starting from the date of the period in this article. As for the procedures for obtaining the licence and the period for considering the application, the Implementing Regulations determine them under Article 5.
A person whose laboratory is near the end of the period without accreditation can consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases to understand his position.
Practical example
A laboratory in Riyadh obtains a licence from the competent authority, but is late in completing the accreditation requirements. If a year and a half passes from the date of the licence without its obtaining accreditation from the Saudi Accreditation Center, its licence is considered cancelled.
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 Private Laboratories Law
What period is the laboratory given to obtain accreditation?
A period of no more than a year and a half starting from the date it obtained the licence.
What happens if the laboratory does not obtain accreditation within the period?
The licence is considered cancelled once the period expires without obtaining accreditation from the Center.
Are the licence and accreditation the same thing?
No. The licence is issued by the competent authority, and accreditation is granted by the Saudi Accreditation Center and must be obtained within the period.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/31 — 6/4/1443 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/31) وتاريخ 1443/4/6هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي:
" يُعطى المرخص له مهلة لا تزيد على سنة ونصف تبدأ من تاريخ حصوله على الترخيص لإكمال الحصول على الاعتماد من المركز. وفي حال انقضاء المهلة دون الحصول على الاعتماد يعد الترخيص ملغياً".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يُعطى المُرخص له مبدئيًّا مُهلة لا تزيد على ستة أشهُر لإكمال ما يأتي :
أ - الهيكل التنظيمي للمُختبر .
ب - الجهاز الفني لتشغيل المُختبر ، وتقديم صورة مُصدقة من مُؤهلاتِهم العلمية ودوراتِهم التدريبية.
جـ - الاعتِماد من الهيئة وِفقًا للائحة علامة الجودة وشهادة المُطابقة واعتِماد الخدمات (اعتِماد المُختبرات)، وفي حالة انقِضاء مُهلة الستة أشهُر دون استكمال المُتطلبات، يُعد الترخيص المبدئي مُلغى.
More articles on Private Laboratory License
- Article 3Amended by M/31
The article requires, for licensing a laboratory, a commitment to provide qualified specialist staff and the necessary equipment and devices as determined by the competent authority and the Center.
يُمنح الترخيص للمختبرات بشرط التزام الترخيص بتوفير الكوادر اللازمة من المتخصصين المؤهلين علمياً، والمعدات والأجهزة اللازمة للعمل بالمختبر بما يتفق مع حجم العمل
- Article 4Amended by M/31
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the determination of laboratory categories and the conditions for each category, on the recommendation of the Saudi Accreditation Center.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية فئات المختبرات والشروط اللازم توافرها لكل فئة، بناءً على توصية من المركز.
- Article 5
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the determination of the procedures for obtaining a private laboratory licence and the period needed to consider the application.
تُحدد اللائحة التنفيذية إجراءات الحصول على الترخيص، والمدة اللازمة لدراسة الطلب.
- Article 7Amended by M/31
The article sets the private laboratory licence fee at SAR 5,000 for the main laboratory and SAR 2,500 for each branch, a licence period of five years, and how it is renewed.
أ- تصدر الجهة المختصة الترخيص للمختبر الخاص بعد تسديد رسم الترخيص، ومقداره خمسة آلاف (5000) ريال للمختبر الرئيس، وألفان وخمسمائة (2500) ريال لكل فرع. ب- مدة صلا
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.