Article 3 of the Saudi Product Safety Law

المادة 3 من نظام سلامة المنتجات · الباب الثاني: أحكام عامة

The Law applies to all products, including those circulated electronically, except products whose competence is assigned to the Food and Drug Authority.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

تطبق أحكام النظام على جميع المنتجات، وتشمل المنتجات المتداولة من خلال الوسائل الإلكترونية؛ عدا المنتجات المسند اختصاصها إلى الهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء.

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 3 explained in plain English

This article sets the scope of application of the Product Safety Law.

The rule: the Law applies to all products. Under Article 1, a product is any product placed or made available on the markets.
E-commerce: the Law expressly includes products circulated by electronic means, so selling through online stores and applications falls within its scope.
The exception: it does not apply to products whose competence is assigned to the Food and Drug Authority.

The exception is defined by the criterion of competence: what matters is whether the product is one whose competence is assigned to the Food and Drug Authority. The article does not list these products, so they are determined by referring to the regulations that set that authority's competence.

It is preceded by Article 2, which shows that the aim of the Law is to protect the consumer by preventing the hazard associated with products placed or made available on the Kingdom's markets. Article 4 follows, setting the principles to be observed when applying the Law, including not discriminating between local and imported products in the obligation to comply with technical regulations.

Someone carrying on a commercial activity who wonders whether their product is subject to the Law would do well to consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial cases.

Practical example

Sara sells accessories and toys for children through an online store from her home in Riyadh. Under this article these products are subject to the Product Safety Law, because the Law includes products circulated by electronic means.

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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