The regulation in simple terms
Printing paper, a shipping carton and a dry facial tissue are all paper products, but they do different jobs. This regulation sets requirements for covered paper and cardboard products placed on the Saudi market.
The practical starting point is the intended use. Describe what the paper is made from, whether it touches the body or food, and any printing, coating or treatment before choosing the conformity route.
Does this apply to my product?
Article 2 covers graphic paper, packaging paper, cardboard, kraft, paperboard, paper sheets, sanitary and industrial paper, and pulp. It excludes food-contact paper and wallpaper governed by other regulations, and wet, perfumed and make-up wipes under SFDA.
What does this mean for you?
- Importers and manufacturers should separate sanitary paper from other categories when reviewing certification.
- Buyers should request evidence for the actual grade, coating, printing and intended use supplied.
An everyday example
A supplier offers an ordinary cardboard box and a similar box for direct contact with food. Do not assume both follow this regulation. First check the food-contact use and the relevant specialist requirements.
Which products are covered?
These examples help with an initial review. The exact product, material and intended use must be checked against the official scope and current SABER classification.
| Product category | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Printing and writing paper | Office paper, printing paper and newsprint | Record grade, dimensions, weight and any colourants. |
| Packaging paper and board | Non-food-contact cartons, kraft and paperboard | Identify coatings, recycled content and intended packaging use. |
| Dry sanitary paper | Covered facial and toilet tissues | Identify body contact, composition and treatments. |
| Industrial paper and pulp | Covered industrial paper and paper pulp | Describe processing, composition and final application. |
Product examples are not a complete classification. Read the official text and confirm the applicable scope before making an application.
Check the boundaries
Paper composition alone does not establish coverage. Food-contact articles, wallpaper and SFDA-regulated wipes need separate scope review.
GoCertify
How to get started
Use these practical steps to begin. The exact documents and tests depend on your product.
Send photographs, product descriptions, intended use, grade, dimensions, material specifications and any coating or printing details.
Collect manufacturer information, available test reports, origin evidence and Arabic label artwork; identify sanitary paper separately.
Review the standards, evidence gaps and assessment route before arranging tests or shipment.
Can a report for plain paper cover a printed or coated version?
Not automatically. Printing, colourants and coatings can change the evidence needed. Ask the manufacturer to identify the changes and have the report scope reviewed.
Technical details and references
For a closer review, these notes point to the relevant provisions in the edition linked below.
Physical and chemical properties
Article 4 addresses properties such as thickness, strength, absorbency and appearance, alongside chemical safety. Annex 2 addresses chemical elements in colourants. Use the relevant product standards rather than one test list for all paper.
Article 4; Annexes 1–2.
Different conformity routes
Article 6 specifies Type 3 under ISO/IEC 17067 for sanitary paper and Type 1a for other covered products. These are assessment schemes; a laboratory report alone does not establish completion of the required route.
Article 6.1–6.2, page 9; Annexes 3–4.
Technical file and labels
Article 6 lists the declaration of conformity, risk assessment, origin certificate, required test reports and applied standards. Review the Arabic label requirements in Article 5 and link the file to the actual supplied product.
Articles 5–6, pages 8–9; Annex 5.
Edition and dates
- Document edition
- First edition · Amendment 1
- 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 Paper and Cardboard
Official documents are issued by SASO. The explanations on this website are independent GoCertify guidance, not official translations or approvals.
Download PDF · Arabic (0.8 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 on page 6; material requirements on pages 6–8; labels on page 8; conformity and file contents on page 9; standards and product list in Annex 1. The PDF cover states 13 August 2021 publication and 16 February 2024 amendment; the catalogue date differs.
- 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.