كيف تعرف إذا منتجاتك تحتاج توثيق من هيئة الغذاء أو التجارة

Sahl Thursday,10 Jul 2025

1. Why is certification important at all?
Many new merchants start selling their products without asking, "Does this product require a permit or approval before selling?"
This mistake can cause legal issues, fines, or even the closure of your entire store.
In Saudi Arabia, there are certain products that you can't sell unless they are officially certified by the Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) or the Ministry of Commerce.
You need to be sure before you start, not afterward!
2. Products that require certification by the SFDA
If your product is related to food, the body, or health, it must be approved by the SFDA. Examples of these products include:
• Food and beverages (especially nutritional supplements or organic products)
• Cosmetics and skincare products
• Medicinal or medical cosmetic perfumes
• Medical devices or home health tools
• Medicines and supplements, even if they are natural
• Baby food products such as formula or cereal
If you sell any of these types of products, you must register it on the SFDA's "Ghada" platform and obtain a registration number. 3. Products that require certification from the Ministry of Commerce
The Ministry of Commerce is responsible for general commercial products such as:
• Ready-made garments (if they are locally manufactured and you want to register them as a trademark)
• Electronics and appliances
• Handicrafts or locally manufactured products
• Products that you want to register as a trademark or registered trademark
If your product has a private trade name, or you are registering it officially, you must go through the Ministry or through the "Maras" or "Sajel" platforms.
4. How do you know if a product requires certification or not?
The simplest way is:
• Go to the Food and Drug Authority website
• Or the Ministry of Commerce website
and search for the product type.
You can also refer to the frequently asked questions, or contact them directly through customer service and describe your product.
In most cases, they will respond and provide you with the details you need, or refer you to the relevant department.
5. What happens if I sell without certification?
If your product requires certification and you sell it without a permit, there are many risks, including:
• Financial fines of up to 50,000 riyals
• Store closure or deletion from platforms like Salla and Zid
• Banning you from commercial activity
• Product withdrawal from the market
Most importantly, customers lose trust in you, and your reputation is significantly affected.
6. Some products require certification even if they are imported
Some people think that since a product is "imported" from abroad, it doesn't require certification.
This is wrong! Even imported products, if they are of the types we mentioned above (such as supplements or skincare), must be certified locally and comply with Saudi specifications.
7. How do you start certifying your products?
The steps are usually as follows:
• Register on the platform of the Authority or the Ministry of Commerce
• Attach product data (images, ingredients, country of origin, manufacturer)
• Pay the registration fees
• Wait for review and approval
The process may take days to weeks, depending on the type of product and documents.
If you want to build a successful online store in Saudi Arabia, don't start without understanding your product documentation. This simple step can save you from many problems and allow you to operate with ease.
If you'd like to start professionally, or need a team to help you set up your store and ensure regulatory requirements, you can contact the "Sahl" team, and we'll help you step by step.