Saudi Arabia: Key Changes for Food Importers and Exporters.
In line with the SFDA’s digital transformation efforts and integration with the Unified Electronic System (Ghad), the authority has launched the third phase of its food services initiative, introducing the FASEH electronic platform for issuing conformity certificates for imported food products.
The implementation will take place in two phases:
1. Voluntary Adoption Phase – Now Until 24 August 2025
During this period, the use of FASEH for issuing conformity certificates is optional.
However, if a certificate is issued outside the FASEH system, the importer is still required to submit a clearance request via the FASEH platform. This request will then be electronically routed to the designated Conformity Assessment Body (CAB), such as Cotecna, for validation.
To ensure seamless validation, importers and their partners are strongly encouraged to submit all clearance requests through FASEH during this transitional phase, even if certificates are obtained through other means.
2. Mandatory Compliance Phase – Effective 25 August 2025
From this date onward, all conformity certificates for food shipments must be issued exclusively through the FASEH platform.
Certificates issued outside of FASEH will no longer be accepted by Saudi customs authorities. Failure to comply may lead to customs clearance delays, shipment rejections, or regulatory penalties.
Until then, there is a transitional period during which CoCs may still be issued outside the platform, but importers must submit a clearance request through FASEH, which is then referred to the issuing Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) — such as Cotecna — for validation.
As an SFDA-authorized Conformity Assessment Body (CAB), Cotecna is trusted globally for providing testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services. We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition for exporters and importers using the FASEH platform.
During this transitional period, if your CoC is issued outside of FASEH, our team will validate your certificate electronically once the importer submits the request on the platform.
Contact us today for personalized support.
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.