Saudi Arabia: Testing to the New SASO Technical Regulation

The Technical Regulation

The Technical Regulation identifies the basic requirements for textile products and determines conformity assessment procedures with which suppliers must comply in order to place goods on the market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and ensures environmental protection and consumers’ health and safety.

What’s Covered?

The Regulation applies to all textile products when made available in the KSA:

• Products containing at least 80% by weight of textile fibres (including textile components of curtains, furniture, carpets, clothing, technical fabrics and textiles)
• Textiles incorporated in other products and forming an integral part thereof, including footwear, bags and head-covers

Note: Products designed for medical purposes or medical claims are excluded from these Technical Regulations, as they fall under the requirements and regulations of Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).

Mandatory Labelling Requirements:

• Labels on the product and its packaging and in all technical documents which accompany its marketing, must conform with the requirements listed in the Technical Regulations and with the relevant standard specifications
• The information on the label shall be legible, visible, clear and in a character set which is uniform regarding its size, style and font, written in Arabic and/ or in Arabic and English, shall be indelible and easy to read for the consumer before the purchase, including when the purchase is made through electronic means
• The label shall be sewn or firmly attached to the product without easy removal and in a position that is commonly used in the textile industry
• All information on the labels must be correct
• Labels shall not include any Quranic verses, or the word of majesty and images and words used on the packaging shall not violate public order, public morality or the Islamic values prevailing in the KSA
• The labelling shall include the following information:
  • Fibre composition, described by the name listed in the regulation and by mass percentage, in descending order of proportion
  • Product weight, size or dimension
  • Supplier name and commercial registration on the external packaging
  • Country of origin
  • Care instructions

Environment, Health and Safety

The Technical Regulations also specify the related requirements for the protection of the environment and the health of the consumer against risks from colour fastness, physical properties and chemicals used in textile products when they are in direct contact with skin or close to it. The listed chemical substances are those classified as CMR, vPvB, PBT, as well as a broad set of substances including:

• Formaldehyde
• Phenols
• Heavy metals
• Hazardous dyes
• Flame retardants
• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Fungicides
• Chlorinated organic compounds
• Phthalates
• Organotin compounds

Documentation

The supplier, who is responsible for putting the product on the market – usually the importer, shall obtain a certificate of conformity issued by a Notified Body according to the following product types:

• Type 3 for children’s products and underwear
• Type A1 for textile products other than children’s products and underwear

The following technical documentation shall be provided with the textile product:

• Conformity declaration of the supplier (manufacturer/importer) in accordance with Annex 12 of the Technical Regulations
• Product Safety Test Report regarding safety from hazardous chemicals

Cooperation with the Regulatory Bodies and Market Surveillance Authorities

For example, providing the technical document, test reports and any other documented information proving fulfilment of the requirements of the Technical Regulations. A product with the Saudi Quality Mark or equivalent shall be treated as meeting the requirements. Also, a product with the Eco-Label or equivalent, granted from an approved body by the Authority, will also be treated as complying with the requirements.

SGS United Kingdom Ltd’s Textile Testing Laboratory in Leicester

Our laboratory in Leicester has the experience and knowhow to test a wide range of textile products in accordance with this regulation, and we can further help you by checking labels to ensure compliance with the relevant standards and the Regulation.

You can see how stressful it might be, dealing with the regulations and requirements of the KSA on your own. Let SGS in Leicester help you to get the testing done and all the paperwork completed in order to reduce your burden.

For further information and to book your testing please contact:

SGS United Kingdom Ltd
Whittle Estate
Cambridge Road
Whetstone,
Leicestershire
LE8 6LH
United Kingdom

t: +44 (0)116 284 6780

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 94,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.