SFDA Cosmetics Certification

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 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 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 Cosmetics
The 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 Cotecna
As 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 Process
Exporting 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 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 Cosmetics
To 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 Products
Find 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