The regulation in simple terms
Shoes are worn close to the skin and need to be suitable for the people and activities they are designed for. This regulation sets requirements for footwear supplied in Saudi Arabia, including leather, textile, plastic and mixed-material shoes.
Compliance involves the actual materials and construction, correct sizing and labels, and evidence that the relevant requirements are met. The route also depends on who will wear the shoes: footwear for children under 36 months has a different assessment scheme from other covered products.
Does this apply to my product?
Start with the intended wearer, age group, use and materials. Ordinary footwear can fall within this regulation even when it is made mainly from textile or plastic. Medical footwear and shoes classified as toys are excluded; occupational footwear has additional PPE requirements.
What does this mean for you?
- If you import a range of shoes, identify the models, materials and intended age groups instead of treating every style as one identical product.
- If you sell under your own brand, check both the information on each shoe and the packaging artwork with the manufacturer.
- If the footwear is advertised for medical use or workplace protection, have those claims and the applicable regulatory route reviewed first.
An everyday example
A supplier offers matching trainers for adults and toddlers. Although they look similar, a pair intended for a child under three follows a different conformity-assessment scheme. Separate the age groups and supporting documents at the beginning rather than relying only on appearance or brand.
Which products are covered?
The regulation covers footwear made from leather, textiles, plastics or combinations of materials. Annex 1 lists product groups and relevant standards. The examples below are starting points, not a complete customs classification.
| Product category | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Leather footwear | Everyday shoes and boots with leather uppers | Identify the leather source, other materials, intended wearer and use. |
| Textile footwear | Fabric-upper casual shoes and trainers | Identify upper, lining and sole materials; confirm the relevant footwear standard. |
| Rubber and plastic footwear | Covered sandals, waterproof boots and other rubber or plastic shoes | Describe construction, materials and intended use; check any protective claim separately. |
| Children’s footwear | Children’s shoes, including footwear for under-36-month-olds | State the intended age group clearly; the assessment route differs below 36 months. |
| Sports footwear | Sports shoes covered by the regulation | Identify the sport or intended activity and the applicable performance requirements. |
Product examples are not a complete classification. Read the official text and confirm the applicable scope before making an application.
Check the boundaries
Medical footwear and footwear classified as children’s toys are excluded by Article 2. Occupational footwear has additional requirements under the PPE regulation; do not describe it as ordinary footwear with no further checks. Socks are not footwear under this regulation’s product definition. Leather prohibited under Islamic law must not be used.
GoCertify
How to get started
Use these practical steps to begin. The exact documents and tests depend on your product.
Build a product list. Record style or model references, size ranges, intended ages and uses. Describe the upper, lining, insole and outsole materials and identify any leather source.
Request the supporting evidence. Gather photographs, material specifications, available test reports, manufacturer and origin details, and the proposed labels. Check whether reports cover the actual materials and models.
Confirm the route and labels. Separate footwear for under-36-month-olds from other products. Review the applicable standards, missing tests, declaration, risk assessment and shoe markings before proceeding with certification and SABER steps.
Do fabric shoes follow the textile regulation instead?
Do not classify footwear only by its main material. This regulation expressly includes textile footwear. Start with what the product is and how it is used, then check the scope and any exclusions. Protective or medical claims may change the review needed.
Technical details and references
For a closer review, these notes point to the relevant provisions in the edition linked below.
Material and product-specific standards
Articles 2 and 4 require the covered footwear to meet the relevant standards in Annex 1. The annex includes different product and testing standards, including sports and children’s footwear. Select requirements for the actual construction, material and use, rather than assuming one report covers the entire range.
Articles 2 and 4; Annex 1.
Different schemes for infant footwear
Article 6.2 specifies Type 3 for footwear intended for children under 36 months and Type 1a for other covered products, through a SASO-accepted body. These are conformity-assessment schemes, not age-based product quality ratings. Annexes 2 and 3 describe their respective procedures.
Article 6.2; Annexes 2–3.
Labels, sizes and packaging
Article 5 requires brand and country-of-origin information and Arabic, or Arabic and English, labelling. Footwear information must be attached to each shoe in a way that is difficult to remove. Article 4 addresses size marking and suitable paired packaging. Review the shoes and pack together.
Articles 4–5.
Evidence in the technical file
Article 6.4 lists the supplier declaration, risk assessment, country of origin, required test reports and applicable standards, with explanatory product information when a label cannot be attached. Keep each document linked to identifiable products; a generic factory brochure is not a substitute.
Article 6.4; Annex 4 for the declaration form.
Edition and dates
- Document edition
- First edition
- Regulation published
- GoCertify summary reviewed
The cover identifies the first edition, approved on 15 October 2020 and published on 27 November 2020. Publication is shown separately from our review date. Confirm later notices and the applicable editions of referenced standards when preparing a submission.
Official documents & sources
Technical Regulation for Footwear and Accessories
Official documents are issued by SASO. The explanations on this website are independent GoCertify guidance, not official translations or approvals.
Download PDF · Arabic (2.8 MB)Download an unmodified copy of the official SASO regulation, hosted by GoCertify. The edition and dates shown above identify this copy.
Reading references: definitions and scope on pages 5–6; supplier obligations and labelling on pages 7–8; assessment routes and technical file on page 9; standards and product groups in Annex 1, pages 13–15. The cover records the approval and publication dates.
- View official source at SASO (opens in a new tab)
- SASO regulation catalogue (opens in a new tab)
- SABER regulations directory (opens in a new tab)
Product examples are not a complete classification. Read the official text and confirm the applicable scope before making an application.
The review date records when we checked these sources. It is not a promise that the regulator has made no subsequent changes. Official documents and later notices take precedence.