The regulation in simple terms
A paint is more than its colour and finish. Its formulation, emissions, intended surface and safety information matter too. This regulation addresses covered paints and varnishes used in residential and commercial buildings and public facilities.
It combines product requirements with environmental-performance classification and label licensing. A marketing phrase such as low odour does not establish the required classification or permission to use the official label.
Does this apply to my product?
Start with Article 2, the categories in Annex 1 and the standards and product list in Annex 2. Identify the coating chemistry, intended surface and use before deciding coverage.
What does this mean for you?
- Manufacturers and importers should organize formulation and finished-product evidence before printing labels.
- Project buyers should check that conformity documents and environmental label permission cover the exact product supplied.
An everyday example
Two paints share a brand but have different formulations and finishes. Do not copy an environmental label from one tin to the other; review each model and its licensed classification.
Which products are covered?
The examples below come from the regulation’s product list. They do not mean every industrial or specialist coating is automatically covered.
| Product category | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Water-based coatings | Emulsion paints, water-based primers and textured paints | Identify formulation, use and ready-to-use test evidence. |
| Alkyd finishes | Matt, gloss and semi-gloss alkyd paints | Record solvent system and the declared environmental class. |
| Primers and specialist finishes | Covered acrylic, nitrocellulose and polyurethane products | Identify exact coating type, intended surface and application. |
Product examples are not a complete classification. Read the official text and confirm the applicable scope before making an application.
Check the boundaries
Review specialist coatings against the official categories and current classification. A similar appearance or shared brand is not proof of the same scope or evidence.
GoCertify
How to get started
Use these practical steps to begin. The exact documents and tests depend on your product.
Collect model names, formulation and technical data, intended surfaces, finish types and manufacturer information.
Request relevant finished-product reports, VOC and heavy-metal evidence, risk assessment and draft packaging information.
Confirm conformity assessment and the separate environmental-performance label licence before printing the official label.
Is a conformity certificate the same as a label licence?
No. Article 6 requires conformity certification and also an SASO licence to use the environmental-performance label. Check both for the relevant product model.
Technical details and references
For a closer review, these notes point to the relevant provisions in the edition linked below.
Environmental classification
Annex 1 sets environmental-performance classifications. VOC means volatile organic compounds; the definition uses grams per litre in the ready-to-use product. Match evidence and declarations to the applicable category instead of applying one limit to every paint.
Article 1; Article 4; Annex 1.
Certification and label permission
Article 6 specifies Type 3 assessment under ISO/IEC 17067 from an accepted body. Article 7 requires a separate label application for each product model and controls use of the authorised label.
Articles 6–7, pages 8–9; Annex 3.
Packaging and traceability
Articles 4–5 cover secure packaging, product type, supplier information, VOC/heavy-metal declarations, expiry, precautions, storage and batch identification. Prepare artwork using the applicable chemical-product labelling standard.
Articles 4–5, pages 6–8; Annex 2.
Edition and dates
- Document edition
- Second edition · Amendment 2
- Regulation published
- Amendment / update published
- GoCertify summary reviewed
Publication and amendment dates are taken from the downloaded PDF cover. The source-review date records our check; it is not a new legal update or an implementation deadline.
Official documents & sources
Technical Regulation for Paints and Varnishes
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: scope and product requirements on page 6; packaging and labels on pages 7–8; assessment and label licence on pages 8–9; environmental classifications in Annex 1; product list on page 16. The catalogue download contains Amendment 2 despite the older detail-page heading.
- 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.