The Evolution of Textile Compliance in Saudi Arabia: A Deep Dive Into the 2026 Proposal
This blog was originally posted on 10th April, 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.
AUTHORED BY HANNAH JANKNECHT, SENIOR COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST & SAMI ROMDHANI, REGULATORY ANALYST, COMPLIANCE & RISKS
In 2024, Saudi Arabia set out a new system for safety, labelling and conformity assessment of textile products placed on the market in Saudi Arabia.
In March 2026, less than two years after the entry into force of the new 2024 textiles regulation, the Saudi Arabian Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) proposed a significant amendment to the current system, aiming to align the technical regulation with the new Saudi product safety law that entered into force in November 2024.
Key Insight: The Saudi Arabian Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has proposed significant amendments to the 2024 textile regulations to align with the Kingdom’s new Product Safety Law. This shift introduces a flexible “referral mechanism” for standards, mandates systematic risk assessments, and defines specific responsibilities for various economic operators in the supply chain.
1. What Products Are in Scope?
The current 2024 Saudi textiles regulation applies to all yarn and textile products placed on the Saudi market.
It specifically covers:
- Any product consisting of at least 80% textile fibers by weight, including fibers, yarns, curtains, furnishings, carpets, and clothing;
- Covers, umbrellas, and sunshades containing at least 80% textile fibers by weight;
- Bed and mattress covers; covers for appliances and camping gear.
Certain products are excluded, including medical-purpose textiles and footwear, which are regulated under separate technical regulations.
The proposed amendment does not introduce any changes to the products covered by the Regulation.
2. Supplier vs Economic Operator
While the current 2024 regulation refers to the general ‘supplier’ as the responsible entity, the draft amendment refers to the ‘economic operator’, broken down into four specific roles: Manufacturer, Authorized Representative, Importer and Distributor.
Most of the legal obligations apply to the manufacturer directly, while the importer and distributor are required to verify and ensure compliance. The draft amendment however contains a specific transformation clause, by which the importer or distributor are treated like a manufacturer, if they place a product on the market under their own name or trademark, or modify the product in a way that affects its safety or compliance.
3. Standards, Safety Requirements and Presumption of Conformity
A) Mandatory Standards
The current 2024 textiles regulation contains a specific list of 22 standards in Annex 1, noting that these are subject to change from time to time and companies must check for the latest versions on the SASO website.
The proposed amendment introduces a significant shift in how standards are handled, moving away from a static list toward a flexible ‘referral mechanism’, where standards are used as a means to prove compliance with essential requirements.
Essential Requirements are listed in Annex 1 of the proposal, including safety, mechanical, and chemical requirements. Products are presumed to meet these essential requirements if they are produced according to standards related to the application of this regulation.
Relevant standards for each safety requirement can be obtained through the Saber platform and SASO (Saudi standards) website. Standards relevant to textiles are furthermore set out in this Circular, issued by SASO together with the draft regulation.
The proposal allows companies to use other standards, provided they achieve the same level of safety. When using international or regional standards, companies must however adhere to the Saudi-specific variations of the standards.
The proposed amendment furthermore offers some flexibility to use alternative solutions. If a company chooses not to use a standard, compliance can be proven through alternative technical solutions, but the company must provide sufficient technical evidence that the alternative achieves the same level of safety required by the regulation, and the adequacy of the alternative solution must be approved by SASO.
B) Systematic Risk Assessment and Technical Files
The draft amendment requires economic operators to conduct a systematic risk assessment to identify and mitigate any safety risks. According to the draft, SASO will issue specific guidance setting out the procedure for risk assessments.
Information on the risk assessment and the declaration of conformity must be included in a technical file for each product. The technical file must generally be prepared in Arabic, and it must be kept for at least 10 years after the product is placed on the market
C) Essential Requirements
The essential requirements for the safety of textile products, labelling and chemical restrictions are outlined in the proposed Annex 1 to the draft regulation.
Labelling and Information
While the core requirements for textile labelling remain the same, the draft amendment proposes several changes in relation to traceability and hazard warnings, with labels serving as a visible record of a product’s documented risk assessment and traceability chain.
Products subject to the regulation must bear the following information:
- Product Identification: Product name, category, model, or reference number.
- Traceability Data: Batch number, serial number, or any other indicator that allows for the tracking of the product. (New)
- Manufacturer Information: Name or trademark and the full address of the manufacturer.
- Explicit Importer Data: If the manufacturer is located outside of Saudi Arabia, the label must state the importer’s name and their full address within Saudi Arabia. (New)
- Fiber Disclosures: Fiber disclosures, using the 49 approved names in Annex 3 and their percentages by weight in descending order.
- Care Labels: Featuring clear symbols or phrases for washing, cleaning, and maintenance.
- Disposal: Information and symbols related to recycling and safe disposal.
- Mandatory Hazard Warnings: Warnings, phrases, and signs necessary to alert the consumer to any known or potential risks associated with the product. Warnings are derived from the manufacturer’s mandatory systematic risk assessment required under Article 13.1. (New)
Products listed in Annex 2, including certain types of household textiles and certain types of accessories, are not subject to labelling requirements.
Safety and Chemical Restrictions
Based on Annex 1 of the proposed amendment, products must be designed to meet mechanical, physical, and chemical requirements and withstand normal or expected use without risks to the consumer or environment.
Specific safety requirements include:
- Fire Resistance: If a product is claimed to be fire-resistant, it must not use banned flame retardants, such as those listed in the Stockholm Convention.
- Fillings: Materials like feathers or down must be free from contamination.
- Chemical Restrictions: Products must be free from chemicals banned by international environmental treaties, including heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, pesticide residues, PFOA and PFOS, flame retardants restricted by the Stockholm Convention etc.
- Restricted Dyes: The draft restricts the use of carcinogenic azo dyes and allergenic dyes.
3. Conformity Assessment
The proposed conformity assessment system for textiles employs a risk-based, dual-track methodology that mandates pre-market assessment for manufacturers. Notably, the proposal formally recognizes approved regional conformity and quality marks as valid proof of compliance, provided they align with the Kingdom’s safety and technical requirements.
The process is determined by the product’s risk level:
- General Textiles: These follow the streamlined
- Type 1a route, which involves self-declaration supplemented by a certificate from an accepted body.
- Higher-Risk Textiles: This category includes children’s products under 36 months and underwear. These items must adhere to the stricter
- Type 3 route, which requires direct SASO certification.
4. What’s Next?
The public comment period for the WTO notification closes on 1 May 2026.
Once the SASO Board approves the draft, the regulation will be published in the Official Gazette and will enter into force 180 days later. A 365‑day transition period will then apply to give businesses time to comply fully. Existing certificates of conformity will stay valid until they expire, unless authorities decide otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which economic operators are recognized under the proposed amendment? The draft amendment replaces the general term “supplier” with four specific roles: Manufacturer, Authorized Representative, Importer, and Distributor. Importers or distributors may be treated as manufacturers if they market products under their own trademark or modify them in a way that affects safety.
What are the requirements for the technical file? Technical files must include information on the systematic risk assessment and the declaration of conformity. They must generally be prepared in Arabic and must be retained for at least 10 years after the product is placed on the market.
What new information must be included on textile labels according to the proposal? The proposal introduces new requirements for traceability data (such as batch or serial numbers), explicit importer data (name and address within Saudi Arabia if the manufacturer is external), and mandatory hazard warnings derived from the risk assessment.
How does the conformity assessment process differ for children’s textiles? General textiles follow the streamlined Type 1a route (self-declaration and a certificate), but higher-risk textiles—specifically children’s products for those under 36 months and underwear—must follow the stricter Type 3 route, requiring direct SASO certification
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