Understand the SFDA labelling requirements for SFDA Cosmetics
Saudi Arabia is one of the Middle East's largest and fastest-growing beauty and personal care markets, presenting significant opportunities for cosmetic manufacturers and exporters worldwide. However, before your products can reach consumers, they must comply with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority's (SFDA) labelling requirements.
Something as simple as a missing batch number, incomplete ingredient declaration, or incorrect Arabic translation can lead to shipment delays, regulatory issues, or costly relabelling.
The good news? Most cosmetic labelling non-conformities are entirely preventable.
Whether you're exporting skincare products, haircare solutions, fragrances, makeup, or personal care products, these are the seven key labelling requirements that should be on your compliance checklist.
1. A Clear Product Name
It may sound obvious, but every cosmetic product must clearly identify what it is.
The product name should appear prominently on the packaging and accurately reflect the product being sold. Whether it is a moisturising cream, shampoo, perfume, body lotion, or face serum, consumers and regulators should be able to easily identify the product without confusion.
Consistency is equally important. The product name used on the packaging should match the name used during the SFDA notification process and supporting documentation.
2. An Accurate Ingredients List
The ingredients list is one of the most closely reviewed sections of any cosmetic label.
Ingredients should be declared using their recognised INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) names to ensure transparency and consistency across international markets.
An incomplete ingredients declaration or incorrect ingredient names can quickly create compliance concerns. Before exporting, verify that all ingredients are listed accurately and match the approved formulation.
Best Practice:
Before printing labels, compare the ingredient list against the final product formulation to avoid costly corrections later.
3. A Batch or Lot Number for Traceability
Every cosmetic product should be traceable back to a specific production run.
This is where the batch or lot number becomes essential.
In the event of a quality concern, product recall, or regulatory investigation, batch numbers help authorities and manufacturers identify affected products quickly and efficiently.
Many exporters focus heavily on branding and marketing claims but overlook this critical traceability requirement.
4. Shelf Life Information
Consumers need to know how long a cosmetic product remains safe and effective to use.
Depending on the product category and applicable requirements, the packaging may need to include manufacturing information, expiry dates, or other durability indicators.
This information should be clear, legible, and aligned with supporting product documentation.
A simple date marking can play a major role in demonstrating product safety and compliance.
5. Country of Origin
Saudi authorities require consumers to know where a product was manufactured.
The country of origin should be clearly stated on the packaging and should match the information provided throughout the product registration and certification process.
For global brands manufacturing in multiple countries, it is important to ensure the correct manufacturing location is reflected on every product variant.
6. Arabic Labelling
If there is one requirement exporters should never overlook, it is this one.
Saudi Arabia requires product information to be available in Arabic, ensuring consumers can easily understand product details, instructions, warnings, and important usage information.
Where original packaging is not printed in Arabic, companies often use supplementary labels to meet the requirement.
Information commonly translated into Arabic includes:
Product name
Directions for use
Warnings and precautions
Storage instructions
Consumer information
Incorrect translations, missing information, or poor-quality labels can create unnecessary complications during market entry.
Before shipping, take the time to verify that all Arabic labelling is accurate and complete.
7. Mandatory Warnings and Product Claims
Cosmetic claims can be powerful marketing tools, but they must also be compliant.
Any warnings, precautions, or product claims displayed on the packaging should be accurate, supportable, and aligned with applicable regulatory requirements.
For example, claims suggesting medical benefits, therapeutic effects, or misleading performance promises may attract additional scrutiny.
The safest approach is simple:
Only claim what you can substantiate.
This helps protect both consumers and your brand reputation.
To get started with your application contact us or download our free SFDA Cosmetics Frequently asked Questions Guide for more information.
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.