The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) was established under Council of Ministers Resolution No. (1) of 1 July 1424 AH, as an independent legal entity reporting directly to the President of the Council of Ministers. The SFDA undertakes the procedures, enforcement and supervision carried out by existing bodies. Its main objectives are to ensure the safety of food, the safety of medicines for humans and animals, the safety of biochemical substances, and the safety of electronic devices related to human health. To comply with SFDA requirements, exporters/importers conducting food trade with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) must clear their food shipments at Saudi customs and verify conformity by obtaining a Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
How can we help you?
As an SFDA food and cosmetics testing laboratory and CoC provider, we can offer you SFDA product conformity certification. We issue certificates of conformity for food and cosmetics shipments exported from specific countries to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia market, in order to protect consumers. While most products entering the Saudi market must meet the authority's relevant requirements, product safety requirements and regulations have also been established to reduce risk, improve quality and ensure safety during use.
The relevant products of each product must comply with specific SFDA standards. Pre-shipment inspection (applicable to food only) compares the goods with the shipping documents and verifies the physical/labeling requirements. After a successful document assessment and pre-shipment inspection, a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is issued. For cosmetics, an eCosma number is required and shown on the CoC.
Since regulations and compliance requirements can pose challenges for companies when exploring new areas, we ensure that your products successfully meet Saudi Arabian standards. Our expertise and experience help you effectively enter key markets while ensuring our objectivity and integrity.
SFDA food certification program guide
The certification scope includes:
- Technical assessment review of documents
- Laboratory testing and analysis of food samples
- Checking compliance with regulations and a comprehensive assessment of compliance with the standard's requirements
- Label review, based on SFDA requirements
- Shipment inspection, loading supervision, sampling, sealing
- Certificate issuance (CoC issuance)
We can help you:
- Ensure compliance with SFDA technical regulations and GSO/SASO standards
- Obtain your SFDA Certificate of Conformity
- Avoid customs clearance delays at the destination
- Ensure your goods clear Saudi customs smoothly and quickly
- Prevent losses caused by the rejection of non-compliant goods
SFDA cosmetics certification program guide
Requirements for obtaining the mandatory Certificate of Conformity:
The importer must hold a valid commercial registration certificate that includes cosmetics trade as a registered commercial activity.
The importer must have an account with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), as well as a valid SFDA warehouse license.
Cosmetics and perfume products must be notified on the SFDA electronic system eCosma.
A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) must be provided before shipment.
Products must comply with GSO technical regulation GSO 1943/2016.
Labels and markings should comply with SFDA requirements.
Labels must be in Arabic and must not contain graphics, images or phrases inconsistent with Saudi traditional culture and the social values prevailing in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Market access requirements:
Enter product information in eCosma (warehouse license, product notification, etc.)
Ensure products comply with GSO 1943/2016
Present a CoC issued by an SFDA-approved certification body for each shipment
Required documents:
Completed Request for Certification (RFC)
Proforma/final invoice
eCosma numbers for all products
Batch numbers for all products
Importer warehouse license number
Technical documents (test reports, ingredient lists, specification sheets, analysis reports, product labels, PIF, etc.) and test reports
Quality management system documents / GMP certification
How to obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
With expertise and laboratory support, we can support manufacturers in obtaining the necessary approvals and compliance according to Saudi Arabian standards and requirements. You need to prepare the materials required for SFDA CoC conformity certification according to the following requirements:
- Application form (signed and stamped)
- Test report issued by a CNAS 17025 laboratory
- Product photos, including product name, product label, trademark, country of origin, chemical composition, shelf life, instructions for use, barcode (in English or English/Arabic)
- Product parameters
- Invoice and packing list (signed and stamped)