Global Compliance
SFDA Cosmetic Registration (eCosma/GHAD): Process, Fees & Timeline for Exporters
SFDA cosmetic registration is mandatory before any cosmetic product can be sold in Saudi Arabia. The notification is filed on the SFDA's electronic platform (historically eCosma, now the unified GHAD system) by an SFDA-licensed local importer or authorised representative. SFDA's published review time is about 15 working days per product, but realistic market entry is 4–8 weeks once you include Arabic labelling, safety data and warehouse licensing. Below: who needs it, the step-by-step process, documents, indicative fees and how Instacertify supports Indian and global brands.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER – Infographic: SFDA cosmetic registration flow (facility registration → product notification → customs)]
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What is SFDA cosmetic registration?
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulates cosmetics under the GCC technical regulation for cosmetic products (GSO 1943) and Saudi cosmetic regulations. Before a cosmetic can be imported, cleared at customs or placed on a retail shelf, two things must be on record with SFDA:
- Manufacturer (facility) registration – the manufacturing site is registered and approved on the SFDA platform.
- Product notification – each product (and each variant/shade/size that changes the formula or label) is notified with its full INCI ingredient list, labels and safety data.
The product notification is often still called an "eCosma notification" in the industry. In 2023 SFDA moved cosmetics onto its unified electronic system, GHAD, but the data requirements and the two-stage logic (facility first, then products) are unchanged.
Who needs to register cosmetics with SFDA?
- Foreign manufacturers and brand owners (India, EU, US, UAE, Korea, etc.) that want to sell in Saudi Arabia through a distributor, a retailer, or cross-border e-commerce.
- Saudi importers and distributors holding an SFDA cosmetics licence and an SFDA-inspected warehouse. Only a licensed Saudi entity can actually submit the notification.
- Contract manufacturers producing private-label cosmetics for a Saudi brand.
A foreign brand cannot file directly. You need an SFDA-licensed local importer or an authorised representative to hold the notification on your behalf. Instacertify arranges this through its partner network in the Kingdom.
Which products count as cosmetics under SFDA?
Skin creams and lotions, face and body cleansers, shampoos and conditioners, hair colourants and styling products, make-up, nail products, perfumes and fragrances, deodorants, toothpaste and mouthwash, sunscreens, shaving products, wet wipes and baby-care products. Products with a therapeutic claim (acne treatment, hair-regrowth, "whitening" with certain actives) may be reclassified as medicines and fall under a different SFDA pathway – get the classification checked before you print labels.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER – Flowchart: 7-step SFDA eCosma/GHAD notification process]
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SFDA cosmetic registration process: step by step
Step 1 – Appoint a local licensed representative
The importer or authorised representative must hold an SFDA establishment licence for cosmetics and an approved warehouse. This is the account through which everything is filed.
Step 2 – Register the manufacturing facility
Upload the manufacturing licence, GMP/ISO 22716 certificate (recommended, increasingly expected), site details and quality-control documentation. SFDA reviews and approves the facility before any product can be added.
Step 3 – Prepare the product dossier
For each product: product name in English and Arabic, category, barcode, country of origin, full INCI list with concentration (%) and function of each ingredient, and the finished-product label artwork.
Step 4 – Arabic labelling review
Labels must carry, in Arabic and English: product name and function, brand, manufacturer/importer name and address, ingredient list (INCI), net content, batch number, expiry/PAO, precautions and warnings, and country of origin. Claims must be substantiable and must not imply a medical effect.
Step 5 – Safety and stability evidence
Have a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) or equivalent safety assessment, stability and microbiological test reports, and, where relevant, a Certificate of Analysis from an accredited lab. Instacertify's ISO/IEC 17025 partner labs can run the microbiology, heavy-metal and stability tests SFDA expects.
Step 6 – Submit the notification and respond to queries
The local representative files the notification. SFDA typically responds within ~15 working days; queries usually relate to restricted ingredients, claim wording or label mismatches. Once approved, the product receives a notification number that customs checks against the shipment.
Step 7 – Import, customs and post-market
Every shipment is checked against the notified artwork and ingredients at customs. Keep notifications current whenever the formula, claims or artwork change, and report adverse events.
Documents required for SFDA cosmetic notification
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer licence / GMP (ISO 22716) | For facility registration |
| Free Sale Certificate | From the country of origin (e.g., CDSCO/state FDA licence-based FSC for Indian exporters), attested |
| Full INCI formula with % and function | Per product / variant |
| Label artwork (Arabic + English) | Final retail pack, front and back |
| Safety assessment (CPSR) | Toxicological assessment of the formulation |
| Stability, microbiology, heavy-metal reports | From an accredited laboratory |
| Product images and barcode | GS1 barcode preferred |
| Authorisation letter | Brand owner to the Saudi representative |
SFDA cosmetic registration fees and cost (indicative)
SFDA does not charge a per-product notification fee for cosmetics. The real costs are the local establishment licence and warehouse, the representative's service fee, safety assessment and laboratory testing, and Arabic label translation. As a working budget for an Indian exporter:
| Cost item | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Authorised representative / notification service (per product) | ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 |
| Cosmetic Product Safety Report (per formulation) | ₹20,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Lab testing (micro, heavy metals, stability) | ₹8,000 – ₹35,000 per product |
| Arabic labelling / translation | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 per SKU |
| Document attestation (FSC, authorisation) | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 |
Costs fall sharply per SKU when a range shares a base formula. Ask us for a fixed quote for your product list.
How long does SFDA cosmetic registration take?
- Facility registration: 2–4 weeks
- Dossier and label preparation: 1–3 weeks (longer if safety reports must be generated)
- SFDA product notification review: ~15 working days
- Total: typically 4–8 weeks for a first product; subsequent products from the same facility move faster.
Common reasons SFDA rejects cosmetic notifications
- Ingredients on the GSO/SFDA prohibited or restricted list, or above permitted concentration (e.g., certain preservatives, hydroquinone, mercury compounds).
- Medical or exaggerated claims ("cures acne", "removes wrinkles permanently").
- Arabic label missing mandatory particulars or not matching the English label.
- Formula percentages that do not total 100%, or INCI names spelt incorrectly.
- Missing or expired Free Sale Certificate / GMP evidence.
How Instacertify helps Indian and global cosmetic exporters
Instacertify Labs provides end-to-end SFDA cosmetic registration: classification check, formula and label review against GSO 1943, CPSR and laboratory testing through ISO/IEC 17025-accredited partner labs, Free Sale Certificate attestation, appointment of a Saudi licensed representative, and filing and follow-up until the notification number is issued. We also handle SABER/SASO certification for regulated non-cosmetic products, G-Mark for Gulf-wide products and CDSCO cosmetic registration for the Indian market.
Got a cosmetic range for Saudi Arabia? Request a free consultation and we will map every SKU to its SFDA requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Is eCosma still used for SFDA cosmetic registration?
SFDA replaced eCosma with its unified GHAD electronic platform in 2023. The industry still calls it an "eCosma notification", and the requirements are essentially the same.
Can a foreign manufacturer register cosmetics with SFDA directly?
No. Only an SFDA-licensed Saudi importer or authorised representative with an approved warehouse can file the notification. Instacertify arranges the representative for you.
How long is an SFDA cosmetic notification valid?
Notifications must be kept current; any change to formula, claims, artwork or manufacturer requires an update, and renewals must be lodged before expiry as set on the platform.
Do I need a Free Sale Certificate for Saudi Arabia?
Yes, a Free Sale Certificate from the country of manufacture, attested for use in Saudi Arabia, is normally required alongside the manufacturer's licence.
Is Arabic labelling mandatory for cosmetics in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Mandatory particulars must appear in Arabic (English may be added). Stickers are accepted only if they are permanent and carry all mandatory information.
How much does SFDA cosmetic registration cost?
There is no SFDA per-product fee; budget roughly ₹40,000–₹1,20,000 per product for representative, safety assessment, testing and labelling, with significant savings across a shared-formula range.
