New guidance reinforces how tissue counts, and ply information must be declared to ensure compliance before a Certificate of Conformity is issued.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has issued a circular providing additional clarification on the labeling requirements applicable to facial tissue products under SASO GSO 575.
The clarification follows the identification of cases where labeling information did not accurately reflect the actual characteristics of products, particularly regarding the declared number of tissues and the number of plies per tissue.
The circular reminds Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) of the importance of verifying that labeling information is accurate, consistent with the product's actual contents, and compliant with applicable mandatory requirements before issuing a Certificate of Conformity (COC).
What Has SASO Clarified?
According to the guidance, a facial tissue consisting of two or more bonded plies must be considered one tissue unit, regardless of the number of plies it contains. Individual plies must not be counted as separate tissues.
To ensure compliance, product packaging should clearly and separately indicate:
The actual number of tissues are contained in the package.
The number of plies in each tissue.
Labeling information that accurately represents the product's actual characteristics and contents.
SASO also emphasizes that manufacturers must not use wording, symbols, or presentation methods that could mislead consumers into believing that each ply constitutes a separate tissue.
Practical Examples of Compliant and Non-Compliant Labeling
The circular includes practical examples to help manufacturers understand the requirements.
Compliant examples:
400 tissues, 2 plies
300 tissues, 3 plies
200 tissues, 5 plies
In these examples, the declared number of tissues accurately reflects the actual number of tissue units contained in the package.
Non-compliant examples:
800 tissues, 2 plies when the actual content is 400 tissues, each consisting of 2 plies.
1000 tissues, 5 plies when the actual content is 200 tissues, each consisting of 5 plies.
These examples are considered non-compliant because the plies were counted as separate tissues, resulting in an inflated tissue count that does not reflect the package's actual content.
Impact on Certification
The circular further reminds CABs to verify that products placed on the market conform to the evaluated model or type, including their technical characteristics, contents, and approved labeling information.
SASO states that a Certificate of Conformity should not be issued where labeling information is inaccurate, misleading, or does not clearly indicate the number of tissues or plies, unless the non-conformity has been corrected and compliance has been verified.
What This Means for Manufacturers and Exporters
Manufacturers and exporters supplying facial tissue products to Saudi Arabia should review packaging and labeling practices to ensure that the declared tissue count and ply information accurately reflect the product's actual contents. Aligning labeling information with the latest SASO clarification can help avoid non-conformities during the conformity assessment process and support smoother access to the Saudi market.
How Cotecna Can Help
As an approved Conformity Assessment Body for Saudi Arabia, Cotecna assists manufacturers and exporters in understanding applicable conformity assessment requirements and preparing products for certification.
Need support with product certification for Saudi Arabia? Contact Cotecna's experts for guidance on conformity assessment requirements and market access procedures.
About Cotecna
For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.