Article 9 of the Saudi Private Laboratories Law
المادة 9 من نظام المختبرات الخاصة
The article sets five obligations on the private laboratory, including limiting itself to the licensed goods, honesty and confidentiality, keeping records for five years, and displaying the licence and accreditation.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يجب على المُختبر التقيد بما يأتي :
أ - الاقتِصار على إجراء الاختبارات للسِلع المُحددة بالترخيص لفحصِها.
ب - المُحافظة على مُستوى الأداء والدقة وفقًا لأصول المِهنة في الفحص بكل أمانة وصِدق وتجرُّد، كما تجب المُحافظة على أسرار العمل وسلامة الأجهِزة.
جـ - الاحتِفاظ بسجِلات نتائج الاختبارات، لمُدة لا تقِل عن خمس سنوات، للرجوع إليها عند الحاجة.
د- إبراز الترخيص وشهادة الاعتماد من المركز في مكان ظاهر عند مدخل المختبر، وعدم إجراء أي تعديل عليها إلا بعد اعتماده من الجهة المختصة
هـ - الالتِزام بالسرية عند نقل العينات ونتائج الاختبار، وعدم إعطاء أي معلومات إلا للمُختصين.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article is one of the most important in the Law because it sets what the private laboratory must adhere to in its daily work:
- Limits of the licence: limiting itself to conducting tests only for the goods specified in the licence.
- Honesty and accuracy: maintaining the level of performance and accuracy according to the rules of the profession, testing with honesty, truthfulness and impartiality, while keeping business secrets and the safety of the devices.
- Records: keeping records of test results for no less than five years for reference when needed.
- Display: placing the licence and the accreditation certificate from the Center in a visible place at the laboratory entrance, and making no amendment to them except after approval by the competent authority.
- Confidentiality: keeping confidentiality when transferring samples and test results, and giving no information except to specialists.
Paragraph (d) was amended by Royal Decree No. M/31 dated 6/4/1443 AH, and the text presented is the text in force.
These obligations work alongside Article 8, which specifies the goods to be tested by decision of the competent authority, and Article 10, which regulates drawing samples and delivering results. The laboratory owner can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial and company matters when needed.
Practical example
A laboratory in Riyadh licensed to test food products is asked by a trader to test children's toys. The laboratory may not do so because it is bound to limit itself to the goods specified in its licence. And if an unauthorized person contacts it asking about the test result of another trader's shipment, it may not give him any information.
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 9 of the Saudi Private Laboratories Law
How long does a laboratory keep its test result records?
For no less than five years, for reference when needed.
May a laboratory test goods not mentioned in its licence?
No. It must limit itself to conducting tests for the goods specified in the licence.
May a laboratory give test results to anyone?
No. It keeps confidentiality when transferring samples and results, and gives no information except to specialists.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/31 — 6/4/1443 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت الفقرة ( د) من هذه المادة ، وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/31) وتاريخ 1443/4/6هـ لتكون بالنص الآتي:
" د- إبراز الترخيص وشهادة الاعتماد من المركز في مكان ظاهر عند مدخل المختبر، وعدم إجراء أي تعديل عليها إلا بعد اعتماده من الجهة المختصة".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يجب على المُختبر التقيد بما يأتي :
أ - الاقتِصار على إجراء الاختبارات للسِلع المُحددة بالترخيص لفحصِها.
ب - المُحافظة على مُستوى الأداء والدقة وفقًا لأصول المِهنة في الفحص بكل أمانة وصِدق وتجرُّد، كما تجب المُحافظة على أسرار العمل وسلامة الأجهِزة.
جـ - الاحتِفاظ بسجِلات نتائج الاختبارات، لمُدة لا تقِل عن خمس سنوات، للرجوع إليها عند الحاجة.
د - إبراز الترخيص والهيكل التنظيمي والأقسام الفنية وتكاليف الاختبار وشهادة الاعتِماد من الهيئة في مكان ظاهِر عند مدخل المُختبر، وعدم إجراء أي تعديل عليها إلا بعد اعتِمادِه من الوزارة.
هـ - الالتِزام بالسرية عند نقل العينات ونتائج الاختبار، وعدم إعطاء أي معلومات إلا للمُختصين.
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.