Article 13 of the Saudi Standards and Quality Law
المادة 13 من نظام المواصفات والجودة · الباب الرابع: مراجعة وتطبيق المواصفة السعودية والوثيقة ذات الصلة
Applying the Saudi standard and related document is voluntary; government bodies may make a standard mandatory under their laws with the Authority's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون -اختياريًّا- تطبيق المواصفة السعودية والوثيقة ذات الصلة.
2- يجوز للجهات الحكومية -وفقاً لأنظمتها وتنظيماتها- أن تجعل تطبيق المواصفة السعودية إلزاميًّا، على أن يكون ذلك بعد الحصول على موافقة الهيئة.
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 13 explained in plain English
This is one of the most practically important articles of the law, because it answers the common question: is compliance with the Saudi standard mandatory?
The rule: application is voluntary
Applying the Saudi standard and the related document is voluntary. This is consistent with the definition of the standard in Article 1 as an approved document with which compliance is "not mandatory".
The exception: a government body makes it mandatory
Government bodies may make applying the Saudi standard mandatory, on two conditions:
- that this is under their laws and regulations.
- that it is after obtaining the Authority's approval.
Note that the second paragraph speaks only of the "Saudi standard" and does not mention the related document.
Practical effect: the existence of a Saudi standard for a product is not enough to make compliance obligatory; the important question for the trader or manufacturer is: has a government body made this standard mandatory under its laws? If so, compliance is required under those laws, and the consequences of violation follow accordingly.
This article is linked to Article 12, which regulates the review of the standard and its updating, suspension or withdrawal. Someone who needs to know whether a standard is binding for his product may consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial or administrative cases.
Practical example
A small factory in Qassim makes a product for which a Saudi standard exists, and has not applied it because it does not know whether it is mandatory. Under the article, applying the standard is voluntary in principle, but if a competent government body has made it mandatory under its laws and with the Authority's approval, the factory must comply with 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 13 of the Saudi Standards and Quality Law
Is applying the Saudi standard mandatory?
In principle, application is voluntary, unless a government body makes it mandatory under its laws after the Authority's approval.
Who can make a standard mandatory?
Government bodies, under their laws and regulations, provided they obtain the Authority's approval.
More articles on Reviewing and Applying a Standard
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.