VAT FROM 5 TO 15% IN THE KINGDOM
The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has announced that the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate will increase to 15% from the current 5%, effective 1 July 2020.
The increase comes as part of additional measures taken by the KSA government in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, due to the decline in government revenue resulting from lower oil prices, reduced economic activity and increased healthcare expenditure, which could impact the business flow in the Kingdom.
90 DAYS INSTEAD OF 30
As per the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), companies who are applying for Food Supplements and Energy Drinks registrations have a grace period of 90 days to reply to the authority request. ‘’ this grace period has been announced to be valid from 4th June until 1st October 2020.
The grace period will be back to normal as default of 30 days only on October 1st, 2020
SFDA EXPLAINING THE ISSUE ABOUT PHARMACEUTICALS CONTAINS ‘’METFORMIN’’
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued an explanatory statement regarding pharmaceuticals containing metformin, as it confirmed that based on what has been monitored about the presence of defects in the quality of some preparations containing the active ingredient ( Metformin)It is contaminated with chemical impurities known as a substance (NDMA) N-nitrosodimethylamine Which are considered among the substances that are likely to be carcinogenic (according to the International Cancer Research Agency) in the event of exposure to them in quantities more than the acceptable limits for daily consumption for very long periods; From an early time, the authority carried out regular checks to ensure the quality and safety of marketed pharmaceutical preparations by analyzing a number of preparations that contain the active ingredient ( Metformin).Which are sold in the Saudi market, and until the date of preparing this statement an analysis of a number of preparations that have been proven not to be contaminated with NDMA impurities has been completed Or the impurities are within the acceptable limits for daily consumption, which are the following products:
REG NO# |
THE SCIENTIFIC NAME |
TRADE NAME |
FACTORY NAME |
1-331-00 |
METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
GLUCOPHAGE 500 mg tablet |
RIYADH PHARMA |
110-68-17 |
EMPAGLIFLOZIN, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
SYNJARDY 5/850 mg Film-coated Tablet |
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PHARMA GMBH & CO. KG, BIBERACH |
111-68-17 |
EMPAGLIFLOZIN, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
SYNJARDY 5/1000 mg Film-coated Tablet |
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PHARMA GMBH & CO. KG, BIBERACH |
112-68-17 |
EMPAGLIFLOZIN, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
SYNJARDY 12.5 / 850 mg Film-coated Tablet |
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PHARMA GMBH & CO. KG, BIBERACH |
113-68-17 |
EMPAGLIFLOZIN, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
SYNJARDY 12.5 / 1000 mg Film-coated Tablet |
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PHARMA GMBH & CO. KG, BIBERACH |
13-390-06 |
METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
OMFORMIN 500MG FC TABLETS |
NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES CO |
9-698-16 |
SITAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN |
Janumet 50/1000 mg tablet |
PATHEON INC |
10-698-16 |
SITAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN |
Janumet 50/850 mg tablet |
PATHEON INC |
68-334-02 |
METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
GLUCARE 500MG TAB |
Jazeera Pharmaceutical Industries (JPI) |
53-334-01 |
METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
GLUCARE 850 TAB. |
Jazeera Pharmaceutical Industries (JPI) |
218-334-16 |
PIOGLITAZONE, METFORMIN |
ACTOSMET 15/850 mg tablet |
TAKEDA |
56-370-15 |
VILDAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN |
JALRA M 50/850 mg film-coated tablet |
NOVARTIS |
57-370-15 |
VILDAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN |
JALRA M 50/1000 mg film-coated tablet |
NOVARTIS |
103-15-17 |
SAXAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
Kombiglyze xr 5 / 500mg fc tablet |
ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP |
104-15-17 |
SAXAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
KOMBIGLYZE XR 5 / 1000MG FC TABLET |
ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP |
105-15-17 |
SAXAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
KOMBIGLYZE XR 2.5 / 1000MG FC TABLET |
ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP |
107-15-18 |
DAPAGLIFLOZIN, METFORMIN |
XIGDUO XR 10 mg / 1000 mg Film Coted Tablet |
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP |
108-15-18 |
DAPAGLIFLOZIN, METFORMIN |
XIGDUO XR 10 mg / 500 mg Film Coted Tablet |
ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP |
109-15-18 |
DAPAGLIFLOZIN, METFORMIN |
XIGDUO XR 5 mg / 1000 mg Film Coted Tablet |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company |
110-15-18 |
DAPAGLIFLOZIN, METFORMIN |
XIGDUO XR 5 mg / 500 mg Film Coted Tablet |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company |
279-212-13 |
SITAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN |
GLIPTAMET 50 / 1000MG FC TABLET |
And PATHEON INC |
278-212-13 |
SITAGLIPTIN, METFORMIN |
GLIPTAMET 50 / 850MG FC TABLET |
PATHEON INC |
368-212-2017 |
METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
FORMIT XR 750 MG TABLETS |
SPIMACO |
74-277-00 |
METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE |
METFOR 850 MG TAB |
TABUK PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING CO. |
WARNINGS FROM SFDA
As a usual result of the Saudi Foods and Drugs Authority’s regular market inspection, below is a list of warned products that are not complying with the Saudi standards and requirements
PRODUCT TYPE |
BRAND |
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN |
REASON OF WARNING |
BATCH NO |
Hand Sanitizer |
NEX |
KSA |
Less Ethanol Less Isopropanol |
ALL |
Hand Sanitizer Spray |
COSMO |
UAE |
Less Ethanol Less Isopropanol |
3002038, 300103, 300359, 300381 |
Hand Sanitizer |
SUPER ACT |
TURKEY |
Contains Methanol Less Ethanol |
0020, 0021 |
Hair Care |
PRIORIN |
GERMANY |
Contaminated with ‘’Bacillus Cereus’’ |
SA103, SA104 SA106, SA099
|
Brown Henna |
ZEINA |
INDIA |
High bacterial |
SZB/BR/001 |
Diabetes Test Strips |
ONE TOUCH |
SWITZERLAND |
Has defect in process |
4582205 |
Drinking Water |
AL SUMOU |
KSA |
High bromate |
4 gallons & 200 ml |
Infrared Thermometer |
Shenzhen Anboson |
China |
Not Accurate |
Model IM-9001 |
Beard and Moustache Oil |
AGIVA |
TURKEY |
High octamethylcyclotetrasiloxan which has side effect on Reproductive system |
Barcode 8698703025523 |
SFDA MARKET INSPECTION RESULTED 29 FINES IN 13 DIFFERENT CITIES
The below list explains the locations and number of products found either expired, not compliant or illegally sold in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Al Qassim |
Representative |
1500 pieces of sanitizer |
Warehouse |
Expired food products |
|
Warehouse |
More than 2000 KG of expired food products |
|
Warehouse |
1488 food items of expired products, |
|
House |
Medical products |
|
Gazan |
Unlicensed Warehouse |
28 tons of food products |
House |
Medical products |
|
Jeddah |
Medical Warehouse |
13,000 unknown sourced & unlabeled sanitizers |
Unlicensed medical store |
17833 Vet medicine items in a bad storage condition |
|
Online representative |
Cosmetics products |
|
Riyadh |
Representative |
Selling a warned sanitizer product |
Warehouse |
100,000 pieces of fake cosmetics products |
|
Warehouse |
17500 sanitizers and 11570 unregistered products |
|
Warehouse |
4.16 tons expired food products |
|
Unlicensed Company |
100 medical devices |
|
Al Ahsa |
Food Warehouse |
6 tons of unknown sourced food |
Dammam |
Warehouse |
1600 pieces of a warned sanitizer |
Warehouse |
1100 KG of food products, along with expired vegetables and fruits |
|
Unlicensed Warehouse |
Unknown sourced meat and 5944 KG incompatible food products |
|
Marketing Rep |
2900 items of cosmetics and sanitizer products |
|
Tabuk |
Warehouse |
64 tons of unknown sourced & expired food products |
Unlicensed Warehouse |
1300 items of cosmetics and personal care products |
|
Unlicensed Warehouse |
6,000 cosmetics products |
|
Al Jouf |
Unlicensed Warehouse |
10084 KG of food products |
Al Qatif |
Unlicensed Factory |
Producing and packing hand sanitizer |
Al Qaryan |
House |
16,000 KG of food products |
Warehouse |
180,000 pieces of eggs in an incompatible |
|
Mecca |
Unlicensed Warehouse |
Food products incompatible environment 3391 Liter |
Eastern Province |
Retail outlet & Marketing Rep |
Medical products and cosmetics online 2688 unlicensed products |
Buraidah |
Warehouse |
120408 packages of incompatible food products |
ABBATTOIR WASTE IS NOT ALLOWED FOR FODDER USAGE IN KSA
SFDA has announced an explanation in regards to the abattoirs (slaughterhouses)’ waste, not to be used as fodder in the kingdom, and the abattoirs who wish to export can contact SFDA team through fes.food@sfda.gov.sa
JOHNSON & JOHNSON BABY POWDER TALC DOESN’T CONTAIN
‘’ASBESTOS’’
SFDA has confirmed that the Baby Powder Talc ‘’Johnson & Johnson’’, which is been being sold in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia doesn’t contain ‘’Asbestos’’ which is one of the prohibited materials as per the SFDA safety requirements. and what has been circulated in the market about the mentioned product are just rumors
SASO QUALITY MARK IS MANDATORY
NEW REQUIREMENTS BY SASO FOR ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS
SASO has confirmed that, Cord-extension Sets, Plugs and Sockets -which used to be sufficient to obtain G-Mark- are now mandated to be SASO Quality Mark Certified, as they have been updated to come under type-5 of SABER/SALEEM System.
SASO has also announced the timeline to comply with the new requirements
August 6th, 2020 |
Cord-extension sets |
February 6th, 2021 |
Plugs & Sockets |
* The above products that have obtained a G-Mark will be granted the SASO Quality Mark license directly without going through the SQM Assessment Scheme.
7560 IECEE CERTIFICATES WERE ISSUED DURING 2019
SASO has announced that 7560 IECEE certificates has been issued during 2019 for the high-risk products as follows
2,208 |
Lighting Products |
1,734 |
TV |
1,385 |
Mobile phones, chargers |
1,149 |
Laptops & Tablets |
605 |
Power Banks & Mobile Batteries |
273 |
Electrical water Pumps |
153 |
Smart Watches |
49 |
Dishwashers |
4 |
Solar Panels |
ARE YOU AN EXPERT OR A SPECIALIST?
DO YOU WISH TO BE A PART OF SASO STANDARDS?
YOUR OPINION MATTERS!
SASO invites you to participate with your suggestions and recommendations in standards and technical regulations (the following 31 standards are still active for your opinion)
- Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits - Ultrasonic meters for gas - Part 2: Meters for industrial applications
- Quantities and units - Part 5: Thermodynamic
- Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 4: Table of hardness values
- Standard Practices for Calibration and Verification for Force-Measuring Instruments
- Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits - Part 1: Ultrasonic meters for gas - Meters for custody transfer and allocation measurement
- Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 3: Calibration of reference blocks
- Measurement of fluid flow by means of pressure differential devices inserted in circular cross-section conduits running
- Measurement of fluid flow by means of pressure differential devices inserted in circular cross-section conduits running
- Face mask for Non-medical use
- Metal Cutting Oils
- Liquid carpet shampoos
- LUBRICATING OILS FOR AIR COMPRESSORS AND VACUUM PUMPS
- SPECIFICATION FOR THERMOPLASTIC WATER METER CABIENT
- Synthetic Detergents – Household Synthetic Detergents Power
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 26-1: Availability for wind energy generation systems
- LIMITS AND METHODS OF MEASUREMENT OF RADIO DISTURBANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTRICAL LIGHTING AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENT
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 25-71: Communications for monitoring and control of wind power plants – Configuration description language
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 24: Lightning protection
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 21-3: Measurement and assessment of electrical characteristics – Wind turbine harmonic model and its ap
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 21-1: Measurement and assessment of electrical characteristics – Wind turbines
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 21-1: Measurement and assessment of electrical characteristics – Wind turbines
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 3-2: Design requirements for floating offshore wind turbines
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 3-1: Design requirements for fixed offshore wind turbines
- Wind energy generation systems – Part 1: Design requirements
- AVIATION TURBINE FUELS
- PREMIUM GRADE GASOLINE (ULTRA LOW SULFUR)
- Standard Specification for Viscosity-Graded Asphalt Binder for Use in Pavement Construction
- DIESEL FUEL (ULTRA LOW SULFUR)
- SANITARY APPLIANCES — TAPWARE: METHODS OF TEST FOR SHOWER AND SPRAY HOSES
- Standard Specification for Performance Graded Asphalt Binder
- SANITARY APPLIANCES — TAPWARE: SHOWER AND SPRAY HOSES
Share your recommendations on the following link https://www.saso.gov.sa/ar/mediacenter/public_multimedia/Pages/default.aspx