RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
15April 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-1612)
Original: English
ACCESSION OFTHE KINGDOM OFSAUDI ARABIA
Additional Questions andReplies
Revision
TheMinistry ofCommerce oftheKingdom ofSaudi Arabia hasre-submitted thereplies to
questions 7-34concerning Section IV.3(b) Technical Regulations andStandards andSection IV.3(c)
Sanitary andPhytosanitary Measures withtherequest thattheybecirculated tomembers oftheWorking
Party. Thequestions andreplies arereproduced hereunder.
_______________
Question 7.
Could Saudi Arabia clarify theresponse that“certification isrequired forevery consignment. ”
Doesitmean thateachconsignment isrequired tobeaccompanied byacopyofcertificate obtained
originally bythemanufacturer through theType testing procedures ordoesitmean thewhole
certification procedure hastoberepeated foreachconsignment?
Reply
Consignments ofproducts which havebeenType Approved under theProgram needonly
beaccompanied byacopyoftheSASO Type Approval License originally obtained. Themanufacturer
issues hisownCertificate ofConformity (CoC) inaccordance withtheformat andIdentification Number
provided bytheProgram Manager, andproceeds toshipwithout being subject toPreshipment Testing
orInspection (except foroccasional random PSI). Theattached ICCP Comprehensive Procedures and
Guidelines areelaborative onthispoint.
Question 8.
Which partoftheICCP Guidelines relate toPSIandwhich parts toConformity Assessment?
Isthe8thversion oftheGuidelines stillvalid? Isafurther version being worked on?
Reply
ICCP isaprogram thataimsatproviding assurance ofconformity inaccordance with
internationally accepted practices. TBTdefines conformity assessment asanyprocedure useddirectly
orindirectly todetermine thatrelevant requirements intechnical regulations arefulfilled. ISOGuide
2identifiesInspection,Testing,TypeEvaluationandSurveillanceasmeansforevaluationofconformity.
Thus, PSIisameans ofconformity assessment byinspection onapreshipment basis, asfacilitated
under WTO/PSI Agreement, rather thanaseparate process. Under ICCP, conformity isassessed by:
- surveillance according toISOGuide 28plusoccasional PSIforType Approved products;
- PSIforevery consignment plusoccasional preshipment Testing (PST) forRegistered
products;
- PSIandPSTofevery consignment forproducts ofunknown background.WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
Page2
TheCurrent Procedure Guidelines -Version 8-isvalid. However, anewComprehensive
Procedures andGuidelines iscurrently being circulated indraftform.
Question 9.
Please explain whyeachproduct category needs tobeincluded intheICCP?
Reply
WTO Agreements recognize thefollowing objectives aslegitimate forpreparation, adoption
andapplication oftechnical regulations andmeasures :
i. TBTObjectives: "Quality "ofproducts relative to"national security requirements; the
prevention ofdeceptive practices; protection ofhuman health orsafety, animal orplant
lifeorhealth, ortheenvironment ";
ii. Sanitary /Phytosanitary risks;
iii. protection ofpublic morals (GATT Article XX);
iv. classification, grading ormarketing ofcommodities (GATT Article XI).
Allproducts arecovered byoneormore oftheabove objectives, forexample:
Food Products areregulated toprotect against:
- Sanitary /Phytosanitary classified risks;
- health risksandquality ofhealth criteria;
- deceptive practices risks;
- threat topublic morals (including religion).
Electrical andElectronic Products: areregulated toprotect against :
- safety hazards;
- deceptive practices;
- danger tonational security.
Question 10.
Please listtheproducts forwhich sample testing isrequired? Why?
Reply
Asexplained inreply toQuestion 8above, sample testing isrequired mainly forthose
products ofunknown backgrounds thatcannot demonstrate compliance withstandards developed by
orapproved bySaudi Arabia. Inaddition, Products thatmaypresent asecurity risk,suchastelephones
andradios areamongst those thataretested regardless oftheirregistration status .
Question 11.
Where sample testing isnotrequired, what doesthe“inspection ”consist of?
Reply
Where sample testing isnotrequired, athorough physical inspection isperformed onthe
product tomatch theshipping document withtheconsignment andtoverify compliance withthesafety
anddeceptive practices related standards.WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
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Question 12.
Why isthere counter-checking ofthecertification onarrival inSaudi Arabia? What exactly does
thecounter-checking consist of?
Reply
Counter Checking: Theprocess involves thechecking forauthenticity ofthecertificate,
thetranslation intoArabic oftheinformation contained intheCertificate ofConformity, andtheissuance
ofaletter totheCustoms authorities foradmission toSaudi Arabia.
Question 13.
Regarding theletter of7October which hasbeensenttoEmbassies inRiyadh: Areyouseeking
suggestions foradditional certification bodies, which would carry outtheprogram aswellasITS
andwhich exporters could gotoinstead ofITS?
Reply
Testdataandevaluation results ofcertificates issued byinternationally accredited orSASO
approved conformity assessment bodies arerecognized andaccepted towards satisfaction ofconformity
assessmentrequirements.WiththeexceptionofproductsholdingSASOTypeApprovalLicence(whereby
manufacturers canissuetheirownCoC), theSASO Country Office (SCO) orother SASO designated
Inspection Body, remains asthesoleCertification Body authorized toissueCertificates ofConformity
(CoC) onbehalf ofSASO. Around theworld, SCOs arecomprised ofseveral independent Inspection
Bodies inaddition toITS.Thisprocedure enables verification oftheaccreditation status ofthebody
issuingtheoriginalcertificate,reviewoftheshippingdocumentsforaccuracyandcompleteness,matching
ofthecertificate totheconsignment inquestion andproviding auniform CoCdocument recognizable
bySaudi authorities. Inaddition, certificates issued byother bodies donotfullysatisfy theconformity
assessment requirements; itmaybenecessary foroccasional random testsandinspections tobe
performed bytheProgram Manager inorder toremain satisfied withtheenduring assurance of
conformity,anactivitywhichisfacilitatedbymaintainingaccesstotheproductthroughtheCoCissuance
function.
Question 14.
What doesthesentence “Intheevent ofnon-compliance bythose laboratories withtherulesagreed
upon, thecompetent authorities which have proposed those laboratories shall bear allthe
responsibilities thereof ”mean?
Reply
TBTArticle 6.1setsoutthecriteria foracceptance oftheresults ofconformity assessment
procedures intheexporting Member ’scountry asbeing thesatisfaction thatthose procedures offer
anassurance ofconformity withapplicable standards. Except whenever there isvalid reason tothe
contrary, accreditation ofconformity assessment bodies byinternational standardizing institutions would
berecognized asadequate tosatisfy theassurance criteria. Conformity assessment bodies which are
notaccredited byinternational standardizing bodies mustmeettheassurance satisfaction criteria through
evaluation andapproval bySASO based onISOGuide 25.
Should Government authorities intheexporting Member ’scountry nominate laboratories,
Saudi Arabia willaccept thenomination provided thattheauthorities which have proposed thoseWT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
Page4
laboratories areheldresponsible fortheresults oftheirconformity assessment procedures andforany
misrepresentation ornegligence committed bythose laboratories.
Question 15.
Arethere additional laws orregulations which govern, forallagencies, thedevelopment and
application ofstandards, technical regulations andconformity assessment procedures?
Reply
There arenoadditional lawsorregulations.
Question 16.
Orarethere other mechanisms which provide forcoordination among agencies inimplementing
Saudi Arabia ’sstandardization andregulatory policies? Forexample, isthere aregulation or
administrative guidance which instructs SASO orother agencies, suchastheMinistry ofHealth,
topublish anotice thatadraft technical regulation isavailable forpublic comment? Isthere
guidance forallagencies withtheauthority todevelop technical regulations onarecommended
period toallow forpublic comment? Isthere guidance forallagencies toconsider theuseof
appropriate international standards?
Reply
(a) ContinuouscoordinationamongMinistriesandgovernmentagenciesinvolvedinimplementing
Saudi Arabia ’sstandardization policies isinsured under theinherent structure ofSASO ’sBoard of
Directors; theBoard members include representatives from allconcerned Ministries, (inaddition to
theChambers ofCommerce andIndustry). TheBoard approves theadoption ofnewstandards, and
individual members oversee harmonization initsimplementation among theirrespective Ministries.
(b) Administrative procedures areinforce atSASO requiring:
- publication ofnotice inseveral localnewspapers announcing thatadrafttechnical regulation
isavailable forcomment within 3months;
- distribution ofcopies ofthedraft toallconcerned Ministries, alllocal Chambers of
Commerce,foreignembassies,majorlocalmanufacturersandmajorSaudiimporterswhose
products areaffected bytheproposed regulation.
After the3months period, asecond draftincorporating acceptable comments islikewise published
anddistributed forfinalcomments within onemonth.
(c) SASO’spoliciesandadministrativeprocedurescarryspecificinstructionstouseinternational
standards wherever applicable, orusethem asthebasis fordevelopment ofSASO ’sownstandards
insituations where thespecific climatic andgeographic conditions warrant that.Forelaboration, refer
toSection I“Background ”ofWT/ACC/SAU/9
Question 17.
Which agency hasresponsibility forensuring domestic production complies withrelevant standards
andtechnical regulation? [Reply toQuestion 77indicates thatinaddition toSASO/MOC, the
Ministry ofMunicipality isresponsible forregulating perishable foods intheSaudi market and
theMinistry ofHealth fordrugs andmedical devices.]WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
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Reply
Section VIII”Standards Compliance ofNational Products ”ofWT/ACC/SAU/9 dated 6
November 1996explains theprocess bywhich domestic production complies withrelevant standards.
Likewise, replies toQuestion 98ofWT/ACC/SAU/6 andQuestion 77ofWT/ACC/SAU/8 listthe
Ministries monitoring andcontrolling domestic producers.
Question 18.
What mechanisms, ifany,areinplace toensure thatCustoms, Commerce andother relevant
agencies treat imported anddomestic product onanon-discriminatory basis?
Reply
SASO istheonlyagency responsible forpreparation ofstandards, which areadopted and
applied byseveral concerned agencies. Imported aswellasdomestic products mustcomply withthe
relevantstandards;therearenoprovisions,administrativeguidance,instructionsortendencieswhatsoever
(whether disclosed ornot)thatcould leadtotreatment ofimports onalessfavourable basis thanis
accorded todomestic products. Moreover, ICCP conformity assessment procedures applied toimports
withitstypeapproval andinspection processes areparallel tothestandards compliance ofnational
products ”explained inreply 17above.
Question 19.
DoesUmAl-Qura include anannouncement when aspecific draft ofaneworproposed amendment
tostandard (voluntary) isavailable forpublic comment? Or,doesSASO haveitsownpublication
inwhich itpublishes proposed standards (forexample, aredrafts included intheSASO Standards
Catalogue)?
Reply
Adopted standards initsfinalform arepublished inUm-Al-Qura andSASO Standards
Catalogue. Draft standards arepublished inthelocalnewspapers (refer toreply 16(b) above).
Question 20.
Areannouncements published inUmAl-Qura thatdrafts ofneworproposed amendments to
existing technical regulations (mandatory)? ofneworproposed amendments toconformity
assessment procedures (inaddition tocertification)? Would thisinclude technical regulations
promulgated bySASO? theMinistry ofAgriculture andWater Resources? theMinistry ofHealth?
andanyother Ministry thatmayhave responsibilities fordeveloping andapplying technical
regulations?
Reply
TheMinistryofAgricultureandWaterResourcesandTheMinistryofHealthdonotpublish
neworamended regulations orassessment procedures inUmAl-Qura. AsforSASO, please seereply
16(b) above.WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
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Question 21.
Isthedistribution ofstandards made inaddition toapublication thatadraft isavailable for
comment?
Reply
Yes,please seereply to16(b) above
Question 22.
Isaperiod ofthree months allowed forcomments onproposed technical regulations? onconformity
assessment procedures —whether voluntary ormandatory?
Reply
Athree months period isallowed forcomments ondraftstandards. Theperiod allowed
forcomments onConformity assessment procedures (such asICCP) istwomonths. Bothmeetorexceed
the60daysperiod afforded under the“Code ofGood Practice forthePreparation Adoption and
Application ofStandards ”(TBT Annex 3ParaL)
Question 23.
Bywhatprocedure andhowoften doestheGovernment disseminate updates ofthelistofstandards
andcertification procedures? Where isinformation found onapplicable technical regulations and
conformity assessment procedures (i.e.those currently applicable andnotindraft form)?
Reply
Please seereply 93ofWT/ACC/SAU/6 andSection VI.c“Advice toExporters ”of
WT/ACC/SAU/9,outliningtheroleoftheSASOInformationCenter,Embassies,theProgramManager
andtheInternet inproviding information anddisseminating updates.
Question 24.
Please explain theprocess bywhich atrading partner requests arevision/amendment toanexisting
Saudi Arabian standard ortechnical regulation? What isthemechanism fordispute settlement
relating toSaudi Arabian standards? Howisitdetermined which regulatory agency isincharge
ofthedispute settlement process? What isthetime-frame fortheresolution ofdisputes?
Reply
Please seereplies 124ofL/7645/Add 1and79&80ofWT/ACC/SAU/8.
Question 25.
Wewould appreciate adetailed explanation oftheprocess usedindetermining theproper shelf
lifeperiod foraparticular product. What factors areconsidered? Does Saudi Arabia perform
scientifically-based shelflifestudies prior toissuing aproduct shelflifestandard? Ifso,cancopies
ofthestudies bemade available totheWorking Party?WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
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Reply
Alldeterminations ofSaudi shelflifestandards arescientifically based. Thereplies 116
ofL/7645 Add1and81ofWT/ACC/SAU/8 outline thefactors considered andthespecific studies
conducted.
Examples ofshelf-life studies arebeing forwarded totheWTO Secretariat.
Question 26.
Inexplaining thedevelopment ofitsshelf-life requirements, Saudi Arabia hasstated that, after
acertain timeperiod, foodproducts “become unacceptable totheconsumer ”(L/7645/Add. 1).
Could Saudi Arabia describe howitdetermines whether aproduct is“unacceptable tothe
consumer, ”ifthatdetermination isnotmade inthemarket. Inadopting shelf-life requirements,
areconsiderations other than“acceptability totheconsumer ”taken intoaccount (e.g., scientific
assessmentofhealthrisks)?CouldSaudiArabiaprovideexamplesofanyrelevantriskassessments?
Reply
Thephrase “unacceptable totheconsumer ”isunderstandably misinterpreted. Theintended
meaning isthatfoodproducts become “unfitforhuman consumption ”afteracertain timeperiod, based
onscientific assessment ofhealth risks(notmarket determination) associated withchanges in:
- chemical composition (rancidity, moisture content, heavy metals, permitted foodadditives,
…etc.);
- microbiological content (salmonella, E.Coli, etc.according tothenature ofproducts).
Examples ofriskassessment analyses arethoseconducted forchilled meatandlabna (please
seereply 81ofWT/ACC/SAU/8).
Question 27.
Howareneworrevised shelflifestandards notified? Isthere anopportunity forcomment and/or
appeal prior toimplementation?
Reply
Shelflifestandards aresubject tothesamenotification procedures asotherSaudi Standards,
whether indraftorfinalform. Please seereplies 16(b) above and112ofL/7645/Add 1.
Question 28.
Does Saudi Arabia consider shelf lifestandards tobeaquality orsanitary andphytosanitary
measure?
Reply
Bothcriteria overlap. While thechemical andmicrobiological stability requirements during
theshelflifeareforthepurpose ofprotecting human lifeandhealth from"risks arising fromadditives,
contaminants, toxins ordisease-causing organisms infoods" andaretherefor classified asSPSmeasures,
retention ofthenutritional value andfunctional properties arequality ofhealth issues applicable under
TBTAgreement.WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
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Question 29.
Could Saudi Arabia please explain howshelf lifedatemarking isemployed toensure product
safety and/or quality during processing, handling, storage anddistribution? Ifnot,what isthe
basis fortherequirement thathalfoftheshelf liferemain ontheproduct atthetimeofentry?
Reply
Shelf lifedetermined bySaudi Arabia expresses thedurability ofafoodproduct under
normal Saudi storage, transportation andhandling conditions, aswould typically beapplicable to
domestically produced foodproducts. Imported foodproducts losefromtheiruseful shelflife,theperiod
elapsing between themoment itleaves themanufacturer tothemoment itiscleared fromSaudi Ports.
Assessment oftherisks ofencountering distant countries oforigin offoodproducts, resulted in
consideration ofthelongtimeittakesbefore itiscleared foradmission intoSaudi Arabia. Consequently,
therequirement thathalfoftheshelf liferemain ontheproduct attimeofentry isnecessary to
compensate forthislostshelflife.
Question 30.
Many foodproducts arenowpackaged utilizing improved packaging technology (hermetically
sealed, etc.)thatgreatly impact theshelf lifeoftheproduct. How doesSaudi Arabia determine
theappropriate shelflifeforsuchproducts? Aretheshelflifestandards usedthesame thatapply
tolike-products intraditional packaging? Arestorage stability studies performed ontheproducts
todetermine ifexisting shelf lifestandards areappropriate?
Reply
Shelflifestandards inSaudi Arabia takeintoconsideration improved packaging technology
(hermetic sealing, ..etc.) which greatly impacts theshelflifeofproducts; forexample:
Item Product Packaging Shelf Life
1 Skimmed dried milk moisture -tightcontainer 12months
metallic containers under inertgas
orunder vacuum18months
2 Fried Potato chips Plastic bags 6months
Aluminum foilbagsornitrogen
atmosphere incarton lined with
tinfoil containers orinmetallic
containers9months
3 a)BeefandBuffalo
meatSuitable containers andstorage
conditions under temp from 0Cto
(-2C)21days
from slaughtering
date
b)Mutton andgoat
meatSuitable containers andstorage
conditions under temp. from 0C
to(-2C)14days
from slaughtering
dateWT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
Page9
Item Product Packaging Shelf Life
c)Chilled meat Suitable plastic container under
carbon dioxide atmosphere to
eliminate gasexchanges under
temp. from (-1.5 Cto0.5C)90days
from slaughtering
date
Question 31.a
TheCODEX Alimentarius recommends theuseofmanufacturer-base “BEST IFUSED BY”date
marking (date ofminimum durability). Codex defines “BEST IFUSED BY”as“thedatewhich
signifies theendoftheperiod under anystated storage conditions during which theproduct will
remain fully marketable andwillretain anyspecific qualities forwhich tacitorexpress claims
aremade ”.Does Saudi Arabia intend toadopt theinternationally recognized CODEX standard?
Reply
Please seereply 125ofL7645/Add 1.
Question 31b.
Asrequested inL/7645, please provide copies ofthelawsandtheregulations which explains
thepurposes ofSaudi Arabia ’slabelling requirements.
Reply
Labelling requirements foralllocally produced andimported prepackaged foodstuffs and
additives aresatisfied through SASO ’smandatory standard No.SSA1/1995 which isidentical toGulf
standard No.9/1995 andisbased onCodex guidelines. Thepurpose ofimplementing thisstandard
together withitsconformity assessment procedures is:protection from health andsafety risks and
prevention ofdeceptive practices (legitimate TBTobjectives), inaddition totherequirements necessary
formarketing oftheproducts (inaccordance withGATT Article XI.b).
Themain labelling requirements are:
- labels tobeintheArabic language;
- labels nottoconvey misleading, confusing orerroneous impressions;
- incaseanyfoodproduct contains fats,meat, theirderivatives orproducts, thekindof
animal from which theyaretaken shallbedeclared.
- name ofthefoodstuff, name andaddress ofthemanufacturer andcountry oforigin;
- production andexpiration date;
- incaseofproducts requiring special storage conditions (refrigerated orfrozen) according
totheirnature, thetemperature andthemethod ofkeeping shallbedeclared;
- listofingredients;
- netcontents (permitted tolerance plusorminus 5%);
- method ofpreparation orusetobedeclared ifnecessary;
- nutritional information declaration ispreferable; thespecific standards forindividual
products maymandate thisrequirement e.g.babyformula.WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
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Question 32.
Could Saudi Arabia provide detailed information onanyriskassessments performed inrelationship
tostandards established fortheimport ofbabyformula? Would Saudi Arabia confirm, asisstated
inGATT document L/7645/Add. 1,thatthese standards wereimposed forthepurpose ofprotecting
human health?
Reply
SASO ’sapproved standards concerning babyformula areasfollows:
SSA136:1979 Plant Baby Foods (Cereal-Legume-Based Food powder forInfants andChildren)
SSA675:1992 Infant Foods Based OnMilk
SSA676:1992 Canned Baby Foods
SSA134:1979 Methods ofSampling forPlant Baby Foods
SSA135:1979 Chemical Methods ofTestforPlant Baby Foods
SSA387:1983 Methods forDetermination ofVitamins inPlant Baby Foods
SSA388:1983 Methods ofMicrobiological Testing ofPlant Baby Food
Theabove standards include thechemical andmicrobiological requirements, nutritional
value, SPSmeasures andmethods oftesting, allforthepurpose ofprotecting human lifeandhealth.
TheStandards arebased ontheCodex Code which isdeemed tobebased onriskassessment in
compliance withSPSAgreement.
Question 33.
Intheresponse toquestion 103inWT/ACC/SAU/6/Add.1, Saudi Arabia states thatitdoesnot
consider theprovisions oftheICCP relating totheinspection offood, other agricultural products,
andpesticides assanitary orphytosanitary measures. Atthesame time, theICCP isdefended
because itassures theSaudi consumer ofproducts thatare“freeofhealth orsafety hazards ”.
Intheresponse toquestion 83,inWT/ACC/SAU/6, Saudi Arabia notes thataHealth Certificate
isrequired forimports of“some products, suchasfresh, chilled andfrozen meat, ”which are
covered bytheICCP.
Inviewofthese statements andAnnex AoftheWTO Agreement ontheApplication ofSanitary
andPhytosanitaryMeasures,whydoesSaudiArabiabelievethattheprovisionsoftheICCPrelating
totheinspection offood, other agricultural products, andpesticides arenotsanitary or
phytosanitary measures?
Reply
ICCP regulated product listpresently doesnotextend toother agricultural products and
agricultural pesticides. Food product categories arenotnecessarily subject totheprovisions ofICCP,
since importers haveachoice tobypass theICCP andhavetheirproducts tested instead upon arrival
atSaudi Ports, theprocedure ofwhich isbeing followed predominantly. Asindicated inreply to
Question 9,theprovisions ofICCP relating tocertain aspects offoodinspection (such ashealth
certificate) areconsidered asSPSmeasures. Other aspects oftheinspection areclassified asmeasures
falling within thecriteria defined bytheTBTAgreement.WT/ACC/SAU/13/Rev.1
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Question 34.
Please explain what specific actions Saudi Arabia hasundertaken tobring itsSPSregime into
conformity withWTO rules? What rules andregulations govern Saudi Arabia ’sSPSregime?
Reply
TheGovernment ofSaudi Arabia intends toabide byitsWTO obligations including those
inscribed intheSPSAgreement. Todate,ithasnotdiscovered anyinconsistency between itsSPSregime
andtherequirements oftheAgreement. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia willreview itsSPSmeasures guided
bytheobjective ofharmonization withinternational standards onaswideabasis asapplicable under
Saudi conditions, andfollowing ofriskassessment techniques developed bytherelevant international
organizations andsupported byscientific evidence. Should itprove necessary, Saudi Arabia willseek
"specified time-limited exception" fromobligations under theSPSAgreement along thelinesofArticle
10.3ofthatAgreement.