SFDA Food & Cosmetics Conformity Assessment
SFDA Food & Cosmetics Conformity Assessment
Exporting Food or Cosmetic Products to Saudi Arabia?
Tove Leeds Certification & Inspection is a Conformity Assessment Body designated by the Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) to perform conformity assessment activities and issue Consignment Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) for eligible food and cosmetic products imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
We support Saudi importers, international manufacturers, and exporters throughout the conformity assessment process, including document review, verification of product compliance, inspection and testing where required, and issuance of the Consignment Certificate of Conformity through the SFDA FASEH process.
Choose Your SFDA Service
Food Products
- Shipment document review
- Product / SFDA registration verification where applicable
- Applicable technical requirements and standards review
- Label and product-information review
- Ingredients and product-specification review
- Inspection, sampling and laboratory testing where required
- Health, halal or other regulatory certificate review where applicable
- Final conformity assessment and CoC issuance through the applicable FASEH process
Cosmetic Products
- Product notification / listing verification where applicable
- Ingredients and formulation information review
- Label and artwork review
- Product claims review
- Applicable technical requirements review
- Document verification
- Inspection, sampling and laboratory testing where required
- Final conformity assessment and CoC issuance through the applicable FASEH process
Our Process How the SFDA Consignment CoC Process Works
Confirm Product & Country Eligibility
Create the Request in FASEH
Submit Required Documents
Inspection / Sampling / Testing Where Required
CoC Decision and Issuance
Complete Applicable SFDA Product Requirements
Select Tove Leeds as the Conformity Assessment Body
Technical Conformity Review
Resolve Non-Conformities
Saudi Import Clearance
Typical Documents to Prepare
Shipment Documents
- Shipment document review
- Product / SFDA registration verification where applicable
- Applicable technical requirements and standards review
- Label and product-information review
- Ingredients and product-specification review
- Inspection, sampling and laboratory testing where required
- Health, halal or other regulatory certificate review where applicable
- Final conformity assessment and CoC issuance through the applicable FASEH process
Product Compliance Documents
- as applicable
- Product specification
- Ingredients / composition or formulation information
- Labels / artwork
- Certificate of Analysis
- Test reports
- Product registration/listing/notification information
- Manufacturing, health or free-sale certificates where applicable
- Halal certificate or halal slaughter certificate where applicable
- Other documents required under current SFDA rules or applicable technical requirements
Who Does What?
Saudi Importer
Manufacturer / Exporter
Tove Leeds
Maintain applicable Saudi registrations/licenses
Provide commercial and shipping documents
Receive and review the FASEH request
Complete applicable product registration/listing
Provide product specifications, composition and labels
Determine applicable conformity activities
Create the FASEH request
Provide required test/certification evidence
Perform/coordinate document review, inspection and testing where required
Select the eligible conformity body
Provide access or samples where required
Evaluate conformity results and identify non-conformities
Coordinate Saudi clearance
Provide corrective evidence where required
Make the certification decision and issue CoC when requirements are met
Before You Apply - Client Checklist
Saudi importer is appropriately registered/licensed
Applicable product registration/listing/notification is complete
Country is within Tove Leeds’ current designation scope
Product falls within the relevant SFDA conformity programme
Product falls within the relevant SFDA conformity program
Invoice and packing list are consistent
Product and batch information match across documents
Labels meet applicable Saudi requirements
Labels meet applicable Saudi requirements
Required test evidence is available
Certificate of origin and other supporting certificates are available where applicable
Tove Leeds is contacted before shipment where inspection, sampling, testing or label correction may be required
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our comprehensive FAQ to find answers to all your questions about the Tove Leeds platform.
Who initiates the SFDA CoC request?
The Saudi importer normally initiates the applicable conformity/clearance request through FASEH.
Can an exporter contact Tove Leeds before the importer creates the FASEH request?
Yes. Manufacturers and exporters can contact Tove Leeds in advance for eligibility and document guidance. The formal consignment request must still follow the applicable SFDA/FASEH process.
Does every product require laboratory testing?
No. Testing depends on the product, applicable requirements, available conformity evidence and the conformity-assessment route.
Does every shipment require inspection?
Not necessarily. Inspection requirements depend on the applicable programme and conformity-assessment activities.
Is the CoC valid for future shipments?
A Consignment Certificate of Conformity relates to the specific consignment/request for which it is issued. Subsequent shipments generally require their own applicable conformity process.
Does an SFDA CoC guarantee customs clearance?
No. The CoC supports the clearance process, but final clearance remains under the authority of SFDA and other competent Saudi authorities.
How long does certification take?
Processing time depends on document completeness, product type, required inspection/testing activities and the time required to resolve any non-conformity. Avoid publishing an unconditional guaranteed turnaround time.