SFDA Regulatory Update on Cosmetics

12 Mar 2012

Saudi Arabia regulatory update for exporting Cosmetics

SFDA Products Classification guideline: 

The final version of the SFDA Products Classification guideline has not yet been issued, in the meantime the draft version of this guideline is still valid and should be referred to. However, we have internally received an update from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) that some modifications will be effective regarding 2 ingredients: Arbutin and Kojic acid.

Products containing these ingredients can be now classified as Cosmetics (and not as health products, as previously advised). The two ingredients are now allowed and can be used in cosmetics products with any concentration.

GSO 1943/2009 Allowed preservatives:

In the latest version of the Gulf Standard GSO 1943/2009 and its table 4 (Preservatives which cosmetic products may contain), entry n 56 was omitted. This entry corresponds to the substance Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate in the EU Directive 76/768/EEC. 

SFDA confirms that this preservative is authorized as in the EU, and under the same conditions.