Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources

A royal decree No. (A/472) on 29/12/1440 AH, 30 August, 2019, which adopted establishing the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and transferring competences, tasks and responsibilities related to the industry and mineral resources sectors. As of 1/1/ 2020 the ministry shall begin its tasks. According to the new development of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources aims to promote the industrial and mining sectors and to contribute for achieving sustainable development according to Saudi Vision 2030. As it adopted these two sectors as strategic options to diversify the national economy and to raise the gross domestic product by implementing the initiatives of the national industrial development program and logistics services (one of Saudi Vision 2030 programs), which aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a leading industrial and mining powerhouse, also a global platform for logistics services.

The strategic pillars of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources:

• Organizational Structure and Capacity Development
• Interaction with the industry and mining system entities
• Culture and Change Management
• Investor Central
• Digital Transformation
• Enable Sector

Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) is a technical government body in Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1972 and governs tasks related to standards, metrology, and quality. SASO is administrated by a board of directors headed by the Minister of Commerce and Investment and membership of sectors interested in standardization in the Kingdom.

SASO is a competent authority entrusted with all matters related to standardization, metrology and quality in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It provides the necessary measures for quality control of raw materials and products and set necessary conformity procedures of products based on the verification of quality, legislation and application of the Quality Mark Scheme. It governors the organizational and executive tasks related to standards, metrology and quality, including laying down Saudi standards of goods, products and services, measurement, and setting procedures of conformity evaluation and certification. SASO is also hosting the Saudi Accreditation Committee (SAC) responsible for accrediting laboratories and certification bodies. Moreover, SASO sets methods of sampling, testing, and technical inspection and promotes quality management systems. SASO works closely with the private sector, other government bodies, consumer representatives and other stakeholders, in order to develop the quality infrastructure in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

SASO is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) and International Bureau of weight and Measures (BIPM), which provides a direct link to the international arena and creates further standards development efficiencies.

Saudi Accreditation Centre (SAC)

The Saudi Accreditation Centre was established according to the Honorable Council of Ministers Resolution No. (600) dated 10/22/1440 Hijri (corresponding to 25 June 2019). The main objectives of the centre are:

• Ensuring the competence of conformity assessment bodies.
• Protecting consumers and maintaining the public health and safety.
• Assuring confidence in the services of conformity assessment bodies, in a way that enhances the private sector participation in providing these services.
• Raising the level of quality, efficiency and confidence of provided services and products.

The Saudi Accreditation Centre is the national authority to provide accreditation services for conformity assessment bodies in Saudi Arabia, including:

• Laboratories (testing and calibration laboratories) in all fields (e.g. electrical, construction and building materials, chemical, measurement and calibration, etc.).
• Inspection bodies
• Certification bodies
• Halal bodies

There are two international organizations regulate and supervise the activity to rely on the ​international level in order to unify the standards and procedures for accreditation and encourage mutual recognition agreements among accreditation bodies between its member states, namely:

• International Accreditation Forum IAF (Entities that rely on certification bodies)
• International Federation of laboratory accreditation ILAC (Entities that rely on laboratories and inspection bodies)

Saudi Food And Drug Authority (SFDA)

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is an independent body corporate that directly reports to The President of Council of Ministers. The main purpose of the SFDA establishment is to regulate, oversee, and control food, drug, medical devices, as well as to set mandatory standard specifications thereof, whether they are imported or locally manufactured. The control and/or testing activities can be conducted in the SFDA or other agency's laboratories. Moreover, the SFDA is in charge of consumers awareness on all matters related to food, drug and medical devices and all other products and supplies. The main objectives of SFDA includes but not limited to:

• Launch clear policies and procedures for food and drug, and plan to achieve and implement these policies.
• Conduct research and applied studies to identify health problems, their causes, determine its impact on public, with the consideration of methods for research / studies evaluation. The authority shall establish scientific bases for awareness and consulting services and executive programs in the fields of food and drug. This can be accomplished through the recruitment of experts & specialists or through the partnership with research bodies such as King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and/or universities research centers.
• Control and supervise licenses procedures for food, drugs and medical devices factories.
• Observe the safety, security, and effectiveness of food and drug for humans and animal.
• Observe the safety of complementary biological and chemical substances, cosmetics and pesticides.

Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON)

The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones also known simply as MODON is a government organization created by the Government of Saudi Arabia in 2001 through Ministerial Legislation No. 235 dated 27/8/1422H. It is responsible for the regulation and promotion of Industrial Estates and Technology Zones in Saudi Arabia and to encourage the private sector to become involved in the development, operation, and maintenance of Industrial Estates.

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List.