Article 5 of the Saudi Standards and Quality Law
المادة 5 من نظام المواصفات والجودة · الباب الثاني: أحكام عامة
The Authority is the sole reference authority for standardization and quality, except for what the Food and Drug Authority handles, and bodies must cooperate with it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- الهيئة هي السلطة المرجعية الوحيدة فيما يتعلق بأنشطة التقييس والجودة عدا المنتجات والخدمات التي تختص بها الهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء وفقاً لنظامها.
2- تقوم الهيئة بالإشراف على جميع الأنشطة ذات العلاقة في مجال التقييس والجودة، وتنسيقها.
3- على جميع الجهات التي تعمل في مجال التقييس والجودة التعاون مع الهيئة في هذا المجال.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article specifies the body responsible for standardization and quality in the Kingdom, and contains three provisions:
1. The sole reference authority: the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization is the sole reference authority in relation to standardization and quality activities. Excluded from this are the products and services within the competence of the Food and Drug Authority under its law.
2. Supervision and coordination: the Authority supervises all activities related to standardization and quality, and coordinates them.
3. Duty to cooperate: all bodies working in the field of standardization and quality must cooperate with the Authority in this field.
Practical effect: someone looking for the approved standard for a product refers mainly to the Authority, unless the product or service is within the competence of the Food and Drug Authority under its law, in which case the reference is that Authority. The article does not specify which products fall within the Food and Drug Authority's competence; that is for its law.
Article 6 then details the tasks the Authority undertakes to implement the law, such as preparing the draft national strategy for standards, preparing, reviewing and withdrawing standards, preparing the standards guide, and representing the Kingdom in international and regional standardization organizations. This article is also consistent with the aims of standardization in Article 4. Someone who has a dispute with the Authority about its competence may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
A factory in Dammam makes plastic household tools and wants to know the approved standard for its products. Under the article, the reference is the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. If the product were one within the competence of the Food and Drug Authority under its law, the reference would be that Authority.
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 5 of the Saudi Standards and Quality Law
Who is responsible for standards and quality in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, which is the sole reference authority for standardization and quality activities.
Do the standards organization's powers include products handled by the Food and Drug Authority?
No. The article excludes the products and services within the competence of the Food and Drug Authority under its law.
Must other bodies cooperate with the standards organization?
Yes. All bodies working in the field of standardization and quality must cooperate with the Authority.
More articles on Powers of the Saudi Authority for Standards
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.