SFDA Cosmetics Product Registration

What is SFDA Cosmetics Product Registration

Cosmetic product registration is the mandatory electronic procedure required by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) before marketing any cosmetic or personal care product in the Saudi market. Registration is conducted through the eCosma electronic system operated by the Authority, and is subject to GSO 1943 — the Gulf Cooperation Council standard on safety of cosmetics and personal care products. Listing in eCosma allows the product to officially enter the Saudi market through the Fasah customs platform.

A Note on Terminology

This service is known by three terms in the market: the commercial term widely used in searches is "Cosmetics Registration" (تسجيل). The official SFDA term is "Listing" (إدراج) in the eCosma system. The international standard term is "Notification" per the EU model. All three refer to the same procedure.

Cosmetic Product Definition per SFDA

A cosmetic product is any preparation intended to be placed on external parts of the human body (skin, hair, nails, lips, mucous membranes of the mouth, teeth) for cleaning, perfuming, protecting, or maintaining appearance, without affecting a biological function. This definition includes: hair products, eye makeup, shaving products, makeup and makeup removal, lip care, dental care and whitening, nail care and makeup, intimate hygiene, perfumes, moisturizing and skin-lightening creams, sun protection products.

Regulatory Framework — Mandatory Standards

Difference between Establishment Licensing and Product Registration

These are two separate sequential processes — product registration cannot be done before establishment licensing:

Note: Motaded provides establishment licensing as a separate service. Contact us for a combined package covering both licensing and registration to save time and effort.

Label Requirements per GSO 1943

Registration Procedure Stages in eCosma

The procedure proceeds through four consecutive stages: First stage — chemical formulation review to verify absence of prohibited substances per SFDA official list, and compliance of restricted substances with maximum limits. Second stage — preparation of ingredient list in INCI international nomenclature in descending weight order. Third stage — preparation of the label with all mandatory data in Arabic. Fourth stage — electronic submission via eCosma system, registering establishment, product, ingredient, and label data. Upon acceptance, the product becomes listed, enabling import or marketing in the Kingdom.

Government Fees and Costs

Substantive advantage: SFDA charges no fees on the registration process itself. Actual cost is the technical and advisory effort to prepare the file correctly the first time to avoid rejection.

Permitted and Prohibited Claims

Claims non-compliant with GSO 2528 may remove the product from the cosmetic category and reclassify it as a pharmaceutical or food product requiring entirely different and more complex registration procedures.

Post-Listing — Ongoing Compliance

After product listing in eCosma, your obligations toward SFDA continue: updates upon any change in chemical formulation, label, or product name; ensuring each consignment matches the listed product; providing a certificate of conformity for each incoming consignment; responding to any safety observations issued by SFDA; reporting adverse effects if observed in the market.

Why Motaded for Your Cosmetic Product Registration

We specialize in expansion of foreign cosmetic companies into the Saudi market. We review chemical formulations with cosmetic chemistry specialists before submission to avoid rejection. We prepare Arabic labels in a manner that complies with GSO 1943 and GSO 2528 without losing marketing appeal. We work daily with eCosma and Fasah systems, and have operational relationships with approved bodies for conformity certificates.

Packages and Pricing

Package Inclusivity — Covered and Excluded