One: In recent years, more and more exporters of beauty and hospitality products have set their sights on the Saudi market in the Middle East, and their investment in the Saudi market has been increasing day by day.
However, as Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, the requirements for packaging and formulation of products are different from those of the European and American markets. These "special" requirements can be confusing for exporters who have not been exposed to the market, and non-compliant products may face the risk of being stranded or rejected.
In order to avoid the situation of the products being stranded or rejected, and to help exporters to open up the Saudi market, we will explain the related notes.
II: Definition of Cosmetics
"Cosmetics" means substances or mixtures which are applied by painting, spraying or other similar means to any part of the surface of the human body (e.g. the epidermis, the hair system, the nails, the lips) or to the teeth and the oral cavity for the purpose of cleansing, nourishing, beautifying, adorning and altering the external appearance of the body, or correcting the body's odour or keeping it in a good condition
The main objective of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is to develop and implement policies and procedures for the regulation of food, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics, thereby ensuring the safety of consumers using these products.
III: Explanation of Terms
1 S.F.D.A. The full name is Saudi Food & Drug Authority, the Saudi Food & Drug Authority.
2 eCosma: an electronic cosmetics notification system implemented by the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).
3 SASO-COC: i.e. Certificate of Conformity For Export to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
ECOSMA NOTIFICATION Cosmetic Electronic Communication System Details
It is mainly responsible for the implementation of procedural requirements related to the manufacture, import and sale of cosmetics. The Electronic Cosmetics Communication System (eCosma) system is divided into many parts. These different sections are: customs clearance, domestic production licenses and warehouse permits, product notification, and GMP certification for local manufacturers.
eCosma Frequently Asked Questions
What is eCosma?
eCosma is an electronic cosmetics notification system implemented by the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) to manage the manufacture, import and sale of cosmetics.
Website https://ecosma.sfda.gov.sa
What is eCosma Circular?
The eCosma system is divided into a number of sections; in addition to GMP certification for local manufacturers, it also includes customs clearance, domestic production licenses, warehouse permits, and product notification. eCosma's notification process begins with the creation of a user account and the application for a license. After completing this step and obtaining the required information, the user can start the cosmetic product notification process through the eCosma system and initiate the warehouse registration process at the same time.
Is there an official notice about the obligation to register eCosma?
Yes, Circular 6395 issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) on December 17, 2014 is about the official launch of eCosma and the mandatory implementation of the circular.
What is the purpose of the eCosma notice?
The purpose of the eCosma Circular is to establish the traceability of cosmetic products in the Saudi market during the period of market surveillance by the Saudi Food and Drugs Authority.
Is this notification process mandatory?
Yes, it is mandatory. eCosma Circular program is fully implemented since 2016 and is mandatory for all cosmetic and perfume products in the Saudi market.
In order to obtain a certificate of conformity for the importation of such products into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the notification or list reference number and the warehouse license number must be provided.
Who is responsible for the application?
eCosma must have a local importer or distributor to apply at https://ecosma.sfda.gov.sa
If the product will be registered with eCosma, do I still need a Certificate of Conformity?
Even if these products need to be registered on eCosma, a Certificate of Conformity is still required for each batch. The notification number and warehouse registration number need to be provided when applying for a Certificate of Conformity.
Will a Certificate of Conformity be required even though the product will comply with eCosma's notification program?
Even though these products need to be registered on eCosma, a Certificate of Conformity is still required for each batch.
Can eCosma replace the conformity assessment conducted by STEK?
The eCosma notification does not replace the assessment procedure (inspection, testing, registration) applied for by STEK for the issuance of a certificate of conformity.
What is the format of the notice number?
The notice number format is in text plus number format, e.g. 2019-COS-XXXXXXX-N-XXXXX
Is it necessary to provide the notification number when submitting a certification application to STEK for exporting cosmetic products?
Yes, as of September 2015, all cosmetic shipments under the eCosma Circular Program are required to submit the Circular Number.
For more information on the new requirements of the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), please feel free to check the latest version of the "Requirements for Customs Clearance at Cosmetic Ports" of the SFDA.
Are online sales or duty-free cosmetics subject to eCosma as these products are not sold offline in the Saudi market?
All cosmetics need to be declared on eCosma.
Do I need to submit an eCosma notification number for cosmetics supplied to a hotel (as a hotel facility)?
All cosmetics need to be declared on eCosma.
What is Warehouse Registration?
Every cosmetic importer or distributor should have a warehouse to store their products. The warehouse should go through the licensing process with the Saudi Food and Drug Administration as part of the eCosma registration process.
What is the format of the Warehouse Registration Card number?
The registration number is on the warehouse registration certificate. It is in the format - - : / Licence Number: 56565-55-77 and is written in Arabic.
The following table shows the conversion of Indo-Arabic to Arabic numbers:
Is the warehouse registration number mandatory?
Warehouse registration numbers are mandatory starting in 2018 and will need to be provided in the application for a Certificate of Compliance.
How can STEK help importers and exporters at eCosma?
Importers and exporters can be supported in applying for eCosma in the following ways:
Provide information on the eCosma program to importers and exporters.
The eCosma program is carried out on behalf of the importer/exporter. In order to do this, the importer/exporter should contact the STEK office or the STEK Center for Professional Cosmetics Technology (CTE-C) and provide them with an authorization for the account number. Additional documentation or manufacturer information may be required during this process.
Is it necessary to inform different sizes or volumes of the same product?
When a product is available in different sizes or volumes (e.g. 30 ml + 50 ml + tester), the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) is able to use the size or volume of one product to represent other sizes or volumes of the same product. The system is being upgraded to allow multiple sizes or volumes to be added to a single application, rather than submitting separate applications for products of different sizes or volumes. Therefore, customers who currently only need to list one size or volume can gradually add other sizes or volumes to the previously listed size or volume after the upgrade of the eCosma system, as long as the product differs only in size or volume and all other parameters remain unchanged.
Is it possible to declare ingredients as concentration range values in the eCosma system?
In the eCosma system, constituent data should be entered as a specific concentration percentage, not as a range value. In addition, all components should be entered into the system. All unrestricted components can be entered as approximate concentration percentages, while restricted components should be entered as exact concentration percentages.
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