The regulation in simple terms
A leather bag can look well made while its dyes or treatment chemicals still need checking. This regulation sets safety and conformity requirements for covered natural, artificial and mixed-leather products sold in Saudi Arabia.
Start with what the product is made from, who will use it and how it is labelled. Appearance alone cannot show whether its materials meet the requirements.
Does this apply to my product?
Check leather products and manufactured articles against Article 2 and Annex 1. Shoes follow the separate footwear regulation; animal hides before tanning are excluded.
What does this mean for you?
- Importers and manufacturers should establish material composition and intended users before choosing tests.
- Retail buyers should ask whether the evidence covers the actual material, colour and product supplied.
An everyday example
A supplier changes the dye on a leather handbag. Keep the new material specification and ask whether the existing test evidence still covers that colour and treatment.
Which products are covered?
These are examples for an initial review. Match the exact construction and use to the official scope and current SABER classification.
| Product category | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bags and cases | Leather handbags, wallets and travel cases | Record the leather type, lining, coatings and model. |
| Clothing and accessories | Leather garments, belts and watch straps | Identify skin-contact surfaces and the intended age group. |
| Animal equipment | Leather saddlery and harness articles | Describe the finished article and its materials. |
Product examples are not a complete classification. Read the official text and confirm the applicable scope before making an application.
Check the boundaries
The exclusions and product list must be read together. A leather-looking surface does not establish its composition or regulatory classification.
GoCertify
How to get started
Use these practical steps to begin. The exact documents and tests depend on your product.
Collect photographs, model numbers, leather composition, animal source where relevant and intended age group.
Request traceable material specifications, test reports and manufacturer details; prepare Arabic label artwork.
Have the scope, evidence gaps and assessment route reviewed before shipment.
Does artificial leather fall outside the regulation?
No. Article 2 includes artificial leather and mixtures as well as natural leather. Identify the actual construction rather than relying on a marketing name.
Technical details and references
For a closer review, these notes point to the relevant provisions in the edition linked below.
Chemical evidence
Article 4 addresses pH and harmful substances, including chromium(VI), aromatic amines, formaldehyde and chlorinated phenols. Select the applicable standards and tests for the actual material; one generic leather report may not cover every component.
Article 4; Annex 1(a).
Age affects assessment
Article 6 specifies Type 3 assessment for leather products intended for children under 36 months and Type 1a for other covered products. These are certification schemes under ISO/IEC 17067, not test-report names.
Article 6; Annexes 2–3.
Labels and traceability
Article 5 requires Arabic, or Arabic and English, information and includes product identification, origin, components and leather type. Review the full list against the product, including manufacturing or tanning information where applicable.
Article 5, page 7.
Edition and dates
- Document edition
- First edition
- Regulation published
- GoCertify summary reviewed
The publication date identifies this official edition. The source-review date records our check, not a new amendment or implementation deadline.
Official documents & sources
Saudi leather products technical regulation
Official documents are issued by SASO. The explanations on this website are independent GoCertify guidance, not official translations or approvals.
Download PDF · Arabic (1.9 MB)Download an unmodified copy of the official SASO regulation, hosted by GoCertify. The edition and dates shown above identify this copy.
Source reading: scope on page 5; material requirements on page 6; labels and conformity routes on page 7; standards and product list on pages 11–13.
- 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.