SFDA Cosmetics Registration Guide 2026 | Certalis Global

Saudi Arabia has become one of the fastest growing beauty markets in the Middle East, and every brand entering it must complete SFDA cosmetics registration before selling a single product, since the Saudi Food and Drug Authority treats compliance as a legal gateway rather than a formality, and international companies often underestimate the documentation, ingredient limits, and labeling rules involved, so this guide walks through the full process, the required paperwork, the prohibited substances list, the realistic costs and timelines, and the common mistakes that delay approval, giving importers, manufacturers, and distributors a clear roadmap for entering the Kingdom confidently.

What Is SFDA Cosmetics Registration?

This process is the notification system that the Saudi Food and Drug Authority now operates through its unified Ghad platform, which replaced the older eCosma system in 2023 to standardize how cosmetic products are listed, tracked, and monitored across the Kingdom, and it applies to every finished product before it reaches Saudi shelves, covering everything from a single shampoo bottle to a full line of color cosmetics.

1. Notification, not full product review, since SFDA does not assess formulations before listing
2. Mandatory for locally manufactured and imported cosmetics alike
3. Managed entirely through a company’s Ghad account, the system that succeeded eCosma 
4. Required before any marketing, advertising, or sale activity begins

Certalis Global can confirm exactly which category your product falls under before you begin the listing process, saving weeks of back and forth with local authorities and preventing avoidable filing errors.

Why Is SFDA Cosmetics Registration Important for Importers?

Importers face the highest scrutiny of any market participant, since customs clearance, shipment release, and continued sales rights all depend on active cosmetics registration status, and Saudi Arabia’s beauty market reached roughly USD 3.97 billion in value in 2025, making non-compliance an expensive risk to ignore for any brand that wants a lasting presence in the region.

1. Blocks customs release at Saudi ports without an approved listing number
2. Protects brands from fines, product recalls, or shipment rejection
3. Builds long-term trust with Saudi retailers and distributors

Our team tracks every shipment requirement so importers avoid costly delays at the border and keep their products moving on schedule without last-minute surprises at customs.

Read More : What Does Certificate of Conformity Mean ?

What Are the Prohibited Ingredients in SFDA Cosmetics?

The Kingdom applies stricter concentration limits than many countries, and ingredients such as hydroquinone above trace levels, certain hair dyes, and specific preservatives are either banned or restricted, so brands must screen formulas carefully before starting cosmetics registration to avoid rejection at the border, especially since a single non-compliant ingredient can halt an entire product line.

1. Hydroquinone above permitted trace concentrations
2. Certain oxidative hair dye compounds beyond approved limits
3. Restricted preservatives such as specific paraben combinations
4. Unauthorized UV filters not listed in SFDA’s approved annex
5. Heavy metals including lead, mercury, and arsenic traces

Certalis Global screens formulations against the latest SFDA ingredient annex before submission, preventing costly rejections and reformulation delays down the line.

Requirements and Documents for SFDA Cosmetics Listing

Meeting the SFDA cosmetics registration requirements means preparing a Certificate of Free Sale, an ingredient list with concentrations, product label artwork, and a Good Manufacturing Practice certificate for the production site, following SFDA’s updated 2024 listing guidelines, all uploaded through the responsible person’s account before submission, with incomplete files being the leading cause of processing delays.

1. Certificate of Free Sale from the country of origin
2. Full ingredient list with percentage concentrations
3. Front and back label artwork showing mandatory warnings
4. Good Manufacturing Practice certificate for the manufacturing facility

We prepare and format every document to SFDA specifications, reducing the chance of a rejected file, shortening the overall review cycle, and giving your team one less thing to worry about.

Read More : Saudi Arabia Import Document Requirements : A Complete Guide

How to Register Cosmetics with SFDA Step-by-Step via GHAD (eCosma)

Completing SFDA cosmetics registration through what is still commonly known as the eCosma SFDA process now happens entirely on the Ghad platform, since SFDA retired eCosma in 2023 and moved every cosmetic listing to Ghad, and the sequence follows a fixed order, starting with account creation and ending with a published listing number that permits legal sale across the Kingdom.

1. Create a Ghad account and appoint a responsible person.
2. Upload product data, labels, and required certificates into Ghad.
3. Receive the notification number once the file is accepted.

Certalis Global manages the entire Ghad submission on your behalf, from account setup to final approval, so your team can focus on the business side of market entry rather than portal navigation.

What Are the Cost and Timelines for SFDA Cosmetics Registration?

Meeting the SFDA cosmetics registration requirements typically costs a few hundred dollars per product in government and consultancy fees, and approval usually takes between two and six weeks, though the beauty and personal care market’s steady annual growth is pushing authorities toward faster digital processing, which increasingly rewards brands that submit clean, complete files the first time.

1. Government notification fees charged per product category
2. Optional consultancy fees for document preparation and review
3. Standard approval window of two to six weeks
4. Faster turnaround for complete, error-free submissions
5. Renewal costs applying every few years per product

Our fixed-fee packages give brands a predictable budget for every product they register, with no hidden charges along the way and no surprise renewal invoices later.

How Can Certalis Global Help with Your SFDA Cosmetics Registration?

Certalis Global manages the entire process from ingredient screening to final Ghad approval, working directly with Saudi-licensed responsible persons so international brands never need a physical presence in the Kingdom to get listed, and our specialists stay current with every regulatory update SFDA issues.

1. Full ingredient and label compliance review before submission
2. Direct handling of the Ghad notification process
3. Ongoing monitoring for regulatory updates and renewals
4. Dedicated support for importers, manufacturers, and distributors alike

Reach out to Certalis Global today to get your products listed in Saudi Arabia without the guesswork, and start selling with full confidence from day one.

FAQs

Who Needs SFDA Cosmetics Registration?

 Any manufacturer, importer, distributor, or online seller placing cosmetics on the Saudi market must complete this listing before selling or marketing products commercially.

What is the difference between eCosma and Ghad?

eCosma was SFDA’s original cosmetics notification platform, launched in 2015, before being fully replaced by the unified Ghad system in 2023.

Can foreign manufacturers register cosmetics directly with SFDA? 

No, foreign manufacturers must appoint a Saudi-based responsible person or licensed representative to submit and manage the product listing on their behalf.