COTECNA INSPECTION INDIA PVT LTD

Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra

SFDA Food is a conformity assessment programme developed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to ensure the quality and safety of food and beverage products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About SFDA

• The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) was established under the Council of Ministers resolution no (1) dated 07/01/1424 H, as an independent body that directly reports to the President of Council of Ministers.
• The main purpose of the SFDA is to ensure safety of food and drugs for human and animal consumption, and the safety of biological and chemical substances, and electronic products, being imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About SFDA Food
The SFDA Food programme is a mandatory conformity assessment programme developed by the SFDA to ensure the quality and safety of food and beverage products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

What are the main purposes of the SFDA Food programme?

• To insure the safety of the products before they are used by consumers
• The establishment of a global database to notify about all local imported cosmetics products
• A clearance authorization of the imported food products
• The development of specific standards for Food & Beverages

What is regulated under the SFDA Food programme?
To find out if your product is regulated under the SFDA programme, please consult our regulated product list page.

About Cotecna

• As a trusted partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Cotecna is accredited to help support the SFDA Food programme and perform conformity assessment of food and beverage products imported into the country in accordance with all regulations, rules and specifications approved by SFDA.
• As a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services, we offer solutions to facilitate trade and make supply chains safer and more efficient for our clients. Our technical expertise combined with the superior quality of our services and our ability to anticipate our clients’ needs is what sets us apart.

SFDA Food Certification ProcessExporting to Saudi Arabia? Let us guide you through the SFDA Food conformity assessment process, and the steps you need to take to get your food & beverage products certified for import into the country.
Cotecna has been accredited by The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to ensure the compliance to the applicable standards of all regulated food products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The conformity assessment programme aims to ensure safety and security of food and feed, safety and security of pesticides and ease commercial traffic flow while maintaining safety of food and reinforcement of consumers and clients confidence in food control authority

Step-by-Step Process

• The exporter / importer will have to fill out the Request of Certification (RFC) and Declaration of Conformity
• Once we receive your request, a dedicated and local coordinator will review your demand.
• Your coordinator will check all the necessary documentation and from that, define the scope of needs.
• When necessary and to comply with importing SFDA's regulations, your dedicated coordinator will guide you through the needed verifications and will schedule them (testing of samples, inspection and/or audit when required)
• After satisfactory results, Cotecna will issue the product certificate (valid one year)

Routes for SFDA FoodTo assess the conformity of a shipment, the verification of conformity process will follow one of two levels of compliance, named “routes”. The choice of the route depends on the profile of the exporter. These are :

• Route A for exporters with infrequent shipments (Non registered products) : It involves pre-shipment inspection and pre-shipment testing of products. Physical inspection can be carried out to verify the labelling/markage, storage and other visual verification.
• Route B for regular exporters with homogenous products (Registered products) : This process involves product testing for compliance and the statement of Product Registration is valid for a year.

Request a CertificationTo learn more about the SFDA Food programme, or to get a product certificate for your exports, please send us a request.

SFDA Food Regulated ProductsFind out if your food products are a regulated product under the SFDA Food programme and what special requirements it is subject to before obtaining your Certificate Of Conformity.

List of Regulated ProductsWe can accompany you in the issuance of your Certificate of Conformity (COC) for all Food Products you wish to import in Saudi Arabia including the mandatory following :

• All fruit and vegetables from Egypt
• All cheese products from Egypt
• All rice from Egypt
• All food products (Animal/Vegetable origin) from Jordan
• All Processed Vegetables and Fruits from India
• All Red Meat from India
• All Rice (Milled) from India
• All tea and its related products with a Sri Lanka origin

Prohibited and Restricted ProductsThe initial list of food products under the scope does not include certain Products such as but, not limited to :

• Swine and its meat, blood and all extracted from it
• Frog meat
• Foodstuff and preparations from animal blood
• Wines and intoxicants that contain alcoholic substances
• Nutmeg fruit, seeds and powder
• Products including Pork and Pork products

Labelling RequirementsAll food products need marking / labeling as per GSO 9 requirements. All the details of marking by product category will have to be available for specific food products.

SFDA Cosmetics is a conformity assessment programme developed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to ensure the quality and safety of cosmetic products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About SFDAThe Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) was established under the Council of Ministers resolution no (1) dated 07/01/1424 H, as an independent body that directly reports to the President of Council of Ministers.
The main purpose of the SFDA is to ensure the safety of food and drugs for human and animal consumption, of biological and chemical substances, and of electronic products that affect human health, that are being imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About SFDA CosmeticsThe SFDA Cosmetics programme is a mandatory conformity assessment programme developed by the SFDA to ensure the quality and safety of cosmetic products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

What are the main purposes of the SFDA Cosmetics programme?

• To ensure the safety of the products before they are used by consumers
• The establishment of a global database to notify about all local imported cosmetics products
• A clearance authorization of the imported cosmetics products
• The development of specific standards for cosmetics

What is considered as a cosmetic product?A cosmetic product, regulated under the SFDA Cosmetics programme, is defined as a product that contains one or more substance(s) intended to be used on the outer parts of the human body (such as for skin, hair, nails, lips, teeth etc.). The purpose of these products should be to perfume, protect, condition or change/improve the appearance and/or smell of the body.

About CotecnaAs a trusted partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Cotecna is accredited to help support the SFDA Cosmetics programme and perform conformity assessment of cosmetic products imported into the country in accordance with all regulations, rules and specifications approved by SFDA.
As a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services, we offer solutions to facilitate trade and make supply chains safer and more efficient for our clients. Our technical expertise combined with the superior quality of our services and our ability to anticipate our clients’ needs is what sets us apart.

SFDA Cosmetics Certification ProcessExporting to Saudi Arabia? Let us guide you through the SFDA Cosmetics conformity assessment process, and the steps you need to take to get your goods certified for import into the country.
The SFDA Cosmetics conformity assessment programme aims to protect businesses from fraud and ensure that products are free from defects that may affect the health and safety of consumers. The programme is mandatory for all businesses looking to import their cosmetic products into Saudi Arabia.
Cotecna has been accredited by The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to ensure the compliance to the applicable standards of all regulated cosmetic products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and issue a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for clearance.Requirements

• The Importer must have an account with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
• Products must comply with GSO Technical Regulation GSO 1943/2016.
• Cosmetics and Perfumery Products must be registered and notfied on the SFDA Electronic System "E-Cosma".
• The Importer must have a valid Commercial Registration Certificate which includes Cosmetics Trade as a registered commercial activity.

For more information or assistance on the requirements for importing cosmetic products into Saudi Arabia, please contact us.

• Step-by-Step Process
• The exporter / importer will have to fill out the Request of Certification (RFC) and provide Conformity documents
• Once we receive your request, a dedicated and local coordinator will review your demand.
• Your coordinator will check all the necessary documentation and from that, define the scope of needs.
• When necessary and to comply with importing SFDA's regulations, your dedicated coordinator will guide you through the needed verifications and will schedule them (testing of samples, inspection and/or audit when required)
• Provide final eCosma Listing Numbers that your importer will have previously obtained on the SFDA E-Cosma platform
• After satisfactory results, Cotecna will issue a Certificate of Conformity (valid for one shipment)

Routes for SFDA CosmeticsTo assess the conformity of a shipment, the verification of conformity process will follow one of two levels of compliance, named “routes”. The choice of the route depends on the profile of the exporter. These are:
Route A for exporters with infrequent shipments (Non registered products)It involves pre-shipment inspection and pre-shipment testing of products. Physical inspection can be carried out to verify the labelling/markage, storage and other visual verification.
Route B for regular exporters with homogenous products (Registered products)This process involves product testing for compliance and the statement of Product Registration is valid for a year.
SFDA Cosmetics Regulated ProductsFind out if your cosmetic product is regulated under the SFDA Cosmetics programme and what special requirements it is subject to before obtaining your Certificate Of Conformity.

Please note : This list is non-exhaustive and provided by way of example. Please contact us if you need help confirming if your product is regulated as a cosmetic and/or personal care product.List of Regulated Products

Anti-wrinkle products

• Bath and shower preparations (salts, foams, oils, gels, etc.)
• Creams, emulsions, lotions, gels and oils for the skin (hands, face, feet , etc).
• Deodorants and anti-perspirants
• Depilatories
• Eye decorative cosmetic products (eye shadow, mascara, brows, lids, pencil, lashes, cream and Kohl)
• Face masks (with the exception of peeling products)
• Finished Cosmetics products sent in bulk
• Hair care products: hair tints and bleaches, products for waving, straightening and fixing, setting products, cleansing products (lotions, powders, shampoos), conditioning products (lotions, creams, oils), hair dressing products (lotions, lacquers, brilliantines).
• Handwash liquid soaps
• Make up powders, after bath powders, hygienic powders, etc.
• Perfumes, toilet waters and eau de cologne
• Products for care of teeth and mouth (Mouthwash products containing alcohol are considered as banned products
• Products for external intimate hygiene
• Products for making up and removing make-up from the face and eyes
• Products for nail care and make up
• Products for tanning without sun
• Products intended for application to lips
• Raw material related to cosmetics covered by related SASO/GSO standard (GSO 1943/2016)
• Shaving products (creams, foams, lotions, etc)
• Skin- whitening products (except Hydroquinone containing products)
• Sun bathing products
• Tinted bases
• Toilet soaps, deodorant soaps, glycerine soaps etc.
• Wet wipes

The saso/saber saudi product safety programme (saleem) is a conformity assessment programme developed by the saudi standards, metrology and quality organisation (saso) to ensure the quality and safety of products imported into the kingdom of saudi arabia.

About sasoThe saudi standards, metrology and quality organization (saso) is a government body entrusted with all activities related to standards, measurements and quality in the kingdom of saudi arabia.
Saso provides the necessary measures for quality control of raw materials and products, and sets necessary conformity procedures of products based on the verification of quality, legislation and application of the quality mark scheme.

About saso/saber programme
Saudi product safety programme (saleem).
The objective of this programme is to ensure that the quality and safety regulations of saudi arabia are met and that imported products comply with saudi standards and the technical regulations developed by saso; thereby protecting the health and safety of consumers, as well as the environment, from the risk of substandard, counterfeit and potentially dangerous goods.
The saso/saber programme is part of a broader national programme, which aims to set procedures to ensure the safety of local and imported products subject to saudi standards and technical regulation.
Initially, the saso/saber programme was supported only by saber*, an online registration platform through which importers register the product models intended for import, however, as of 1st of july 2020, the shipment process into saudi arabia has now become simpler and faster through the linking of fasah** and saber platforms.

• Saber is an e-platform that connects traders, importers to accredited certification bodies (cb) to get conformity certificates enabling shipment clearance and product compliance as per saudi requirements.
• Fasah is a single window system that facilitates importing and exporting across saudi borders.

About cotecnaCotecna is authorized by saso to issue a certificate of conformity for exports of regulated products to the kingdom of saudi arabia.
As a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services, we offer solutions to facilitate trade and make supply chains safer and more efficient for our clients. our technical expertise combined with the superior quality of our services and our ability to anticipate our clients’ needs is what sets us apart.
We partner with governments around the world to control the quality and safety of imported products. through our verification programmes we help protect local businesses, consumers as well as the environment.
Saleem conformity assessment processexporting to saudi arabia? let us guide you through the saso/saber conformity assessment process, and the steps you need to take to get your goods certified for export.
Cotecna has been accredited by the saudi standards, metrology and quality organisation (saso) saso, in asia, the middle east and north africa regions, to ensure the compliance to the applicable standards of all regulated products imported into the kingdom of saudi arabia.
The saso/saber (saleem) aims to protect the businesses from fraud and ensure that products are free from defects that may affect the health and safety of consumers. it includes a two-stage certification process to export products into the kingdom of saudi arabia:

• Product certificate of conformity (pcoc)
• Shipment certificate of conformity (scoc)

Step-by-step process

• The importer enters his company details on saber platform
• Selection of cotecna as your prefered certification body
• Cotecna accesses the saber platform and checks the requests
• Cotecna guides you on how to register your products on saber platform to obtain your pcoc
• Cotecna helps you to upload of your product documentation on saber platform
• Your dedicated cotecna coordinator will check your documentation and schedule the testing, inspection and /or audit when required
• After satisfactory results, cotecna will issue the product certificate (valid one year)
• Cotecna will issue the shipment certificate for each of your shipments.
• Saudi product certificate of conformity (pcoc)
• Learn more about the specific requirements to obtain your product conformity certificate (pcoc) for exports to saudi arabia.
• As a trusted partner of the saudi arabian government, our mandate as a conformity body includes one or a combination of the following:
• Product verification and documentation review
• Consignment inspection in exporting country
• Sampling and testing of goods in accredited laboratories
• Factory audits
• Delivery of a product certificate of conformity (pcoc) upon technical regulations
• Issuance of a shipment certificate of conformity (scoc)

How to obtain a pcocThe product certificate of conformity (pcoc) is required to demonstrate that your products have been registered within saber and are complaint with applicable technical regulations. the pcoc is valid for one year upon issuance.

Saso/saber regulated products

• The products covered by the technical regulations are referred to as regulated products. hereafter is an extract of regulated products currently subject to the saudi product safety programme:
• Building materials
• Textile
• Electrical and electronics products
• Chemicals
• Machinery

Regulated products are further categorized as either high-risk or medium-risk based on the product certification scheme. depending on the risk profile of the product in question, additional controls need to be conducted accordingly:

Medium risk products

• Type 1a: product testing / inspection
• High risk products
• Type 3: product testing / factory inspection / audit
• Type 5: product testing / factory inspection / surveillance factory audit.

About SONCAPThe SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) is a mandatory scheme introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the quality and standards of all imports of regulated products into the country.
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is the sole statutory body that is vested with the responsibility of standardising and regulating the quality of all products in Nigeria. SON was established by the Act No.56 of 1971.
SON is a full member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
SON’s mandate includes the preparation of Standards related to products, measurements, materials, processes and services, amongst others; their promotion at national, regional and international levels; the certification of products; assistance in the production of quality goods and services; improvement of measurement accuracy and the circulation of information related to standards.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP) was introduced in 2005 by the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the concern of unsafe products entering the country.
This assessment conformity scheme requires all imported products, whose standard specifications were declared compulsory by SON, to be inspected for conformity to the relevant Nigerian standard before release into the Nigerian market.

SON PartnerOn February 1, 2013, Cotecna was officially appointed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to join Nigeria’s revised Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP).
Based on Act n°56 of 1971 and subsequent amendments, the Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP) was introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the concern of unsafe products entering the country.
As part of the SONCAP program, Cotecna is authorized to carry out verification of conformity of imported goods and issues SONCAP Certificates (SC) in the exporting country. The aim of this program is to protect the health and safety of Nigerian consumers.

SONCAP Exempted Product ListDiscover which products are regulated under the SON Conformity Assessment Programme and which are exempted from certification.
All products, other than those specifically exempted in the list below, are regulated under the SONCAP programme. Products exempt from the SONCAP programme include the following:

• Food products
• Drugs (Medicines)
• D7
• Chemicals used as raw material by bonafide manufacturers
• Military wares & equipment
• Goods classified as contraband by the Federal Government of Nigeria
• Used products other than automobiles
• Machinery or related spare parts for bona fide manufacturers who intend to use this for their own manufacturing purposes are advised to apply to the SON for SONCAP import permit

SONCAP Certification Process

• Learn more about the specific import requirements of the SON Conformity Assessment Programme, including all necessary documentation and the different routes of compliance.
• SONCAP Compliance Procedures

Under the import requirements of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in order to clear their goods, importers need to have the following documents for every consignment of regulated products:

• Product Certificate (PC), issued by Cotecna
• Certificate of Conformity (COC), called the SONCAP Certificate (SC), issued by Cotecna

Obtaining the SC from Cotecna is based on first having a valid Product Certificate (PC). The PC is required for the opening of the Form M, which is a document needed to pre-declare the goods to be imported in Nigeria. There are three types of PCs, as detailed below.

Certificate of Conformity for Exports to Côte d’Ivoire

Cotecna is authorised by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and SME Promotion to issue a Certificate of Conformity for exports of regulated products to Côte d’Ivoire.

Following the decree n°2017-567, Cotecna has been mandated by the Ministry in charge of Trade to verify the conformity to applicable standards of all regulated products imported into the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Cotecna’s mandate consists in issuing Certificates of Conformity (COC) for goods complying with applicable requirements. The main objective of this programme is to better protect consumers and importers from substandard, counterfeit and potentially dangerous goods.

During the pilot phase of the implementation of the programme, running from February 15th 2019, the certification process will be mandatory for all goods belonging to those 13 product families referred to in the decree 2016-1152 of December 28th 2016.

In the absence of a valid COC at Customs, concerned products will be refused and the importer exposed to the relevant sanctions as proscribed by the Law.

List of Regulated Products

For the full list of our regulated, exempted, sensitive and/or banned products please  visit “https://www.cotecna.com/”

Côte d’Ivoire Conformity Assessment Process

Cotecna’s mandate includes the physical inspection, sampling and testing of goods in fully ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. Factory audits may also be carried out to ensure production is compliant with standards (or Ivorian Regulations).

To assess the conformity of a shipment, the Verification of Conformity process will follow one of the three following ways of compliance called “Routes”, depending on the profile of the exporter:

• Route A for exporters with infrequent shipments or sensitive products.
• Route B for exporters with regular shipments with non-sensitive homogeneous products.
• Route C for manufacturers, official distributors and brand owners with regular and high-volume shipments to Côte d’Ivoire and having a Quality Management System (QMS) applied to their production/manufacturing process.

Please note that for your first shipment to Côte d’Ivoire, you will have to go systematically through Route A before being eligible for Routes B or C.

Cotecna, your exporting partner to Saudi Arabia for Rice & Food

Cotecna is one of the world leaders in the field of testing, inspection, and certification. We offer solutions that make trade easier and the supply chain safer and more efficient for our customers.

Exporting rice to Saudi Arabia? Let us help you!

As a trusted partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Cotecna is approved to support the SFDA Food Programme and perform a conformity assessment of food products.

Our role is to assess and verify the compliance of all food products including rice, that will be exported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in accordance with all regulations, rules and specifications approved by SFDA.

The SFDA Food Conformity Assessment Process

Document Evaluation

Your dedicated and local Cotecna agent will review the submitted documents to verify the products of your shipment and its compliance to SFDA requirements.

Inspection

The Food process involves pre-shipment inspection to verify the quality and quantity of the product along with the labelling as per SFDA Standards. A container inspection will also be performed.

Testing

The testing of your tea shall be performed as per SFDA requirements from an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.

Sealing

Container loading and sealing will be applicable on mandatory basis on all consignments.

COC Issuance

After satisfactory results, Cotecna will issue a Certificate of Conformity.

Requested documents

• Request for Certificate Form
• Proforma Invoice
• Packing List
• Bag Marking artwork for review and approval
• SFDA Registration Certificate
• Quality Management System certification like HACCP, ISO 22000, Halal certificate – as applicable
• Test reports from SFDA (ISO 17025) recognized laboratories

Post Inspection Documents:

• Final Invoice
• Packing List
• BL
• Phytosanitary Certificate
• Fumigation Certificate
• Certificate Of Origin (COO)

NFSA Food Conformity Assessment Programme

Cotecna is authorised by the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) of Egypt to issue Certificates of Inspection for exports of regulated food and food contact products.  

As a trusted partner of Egypt, Cotecna is approved to support the NFSA Food programme and perform a conformity assessment of food and beverage products.

Our role is to assess and verify the compliance of food and beverage that will be exported to Egypt in accordance with all regulations, rules and specifications approved by NFSA.

The conformity assessment programme aims to ensure the safety and security of food and reinforce consumer and client confidence in the food control authority.

NFSA List of Regulated Food and Food Contact products:

• Wheat
• Milk and dairy products
• Preserved and dried fruits
• Oils and fats
• Sugar confectionery
• Chocolate and food preparations containing cocoa
• Fruit Juice
• Natural, mineral and soda water
• Sugar
• Edible-Oil
• Rice
• Nutritional dough and foods prepared from grains, oilseeds, and their derivatives
• Food Contact Tools
• Production Inputs (Includes raw materials, intermediate goods, additives, flavouring agents, processing aids)

In case of doubt, please contact us to determine if your products are subject to regulation.

NFSA Conformity Assessment Process

Cotecna provides efficient tailor-made verification of conformity services to help exporters comply with all regulations, rules and specifications approved by NFSA. These include:

• Documentary verification
• Laboratory testing at Cotecna NFSA approved laboratories country
• Physical cargo inspection in the exporting country

Cotecna becomes your one-stop-shop when exporting products to Egypt