GHAD SFDA Compliance Service with Certalis Global

The GHAD SFDA platform now controls how food, cosmetics, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies register products and facilities before selling into the Saudi market, replacing the older eCosma system entirely since 2023 and consolidating what used to be several separate approval chains into one digital record, and manufacturers who skip a required step often find their shipments stuck at the border while approvals catch up, so this guide walks through what the platform covers, how registration actually works, which documents matter most, and how Certalis Global keeps facilities and products compliant from the first submission.

What Is the GHAD SFDA Platform?

The GHAD SFDA platform is the unified digital system from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority that handles both facility and product registration before goods reach Saudi consumers, replacing a slower, paper-heavy approval chain.

1. Facility registration confirming a manufacturer meets baseline SFDA requirements before any product application
2. Product registration covering ingredients, labeling, intended use, and target consumer category
3. Electronic tracking of approval status from initial submission through final release
4. Integration with customs so registered products clear ports without extra manual delay

Getting familiar with this platform early saves manufacturers from last-minute registration scrambles right before a planned product launch.

Why Is GHAD Registration Mandatory for Importers?

Clearing the GHAD SFDA platform is non-negotiable, since Saudi customs will not release food, cosmetic, or medical shipments without proof that both the facility and the product passed review first, regardless of the port of entry.

1. Preventing unregistered products from ever reaching Saudi shelves or distribution networks
2. Holding manufacturers accountable for ingredient and safety disclosures before market entry
3. Giving SFDA a live, searchable record of every product entering the market
4. Reducing recalls by catching non-compliant products before wide distribution begins

Importers who treat this requirement as optional typically discover it the hard way, at the port, with a shipment already on hold.

Read More : Secure Your Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) with Certalis Global

What Is the Difference Between GHAD, FASAH, and SABER?

Comparing GHAD SFDA with FASAH and SABER matters because these three platforms serve very different purposes, and confusing one for another is a common reason otherwise compliant shipments stall unexpectedly.

1. GHAD handling SFDA-regulated products like food, cosmetics, and medical devices specifically
2. FASAH managing general customs clearance and shipment documentation across all cargo
3. SABER covering SASO-regulated products that fall outside SFDA’s authority entirely
4. Some shipments needing more than one platform depending on the exact product mix

Knowing exactly where these responsibilities end and where FASAH or SABER begin prevents a shipment from being filed under the wrong system entirely.

How to Register Your Facility on the GHAD SFDA Platform?

Facility registration on the GHAD Platform comes before product registration, and skipping this first step blocks every single product application that follows it:

1. Creating a verified manufacturer account with basic company and contact details
2. Submitting facility licenses and full manufacturing site information for review
3. Providing quality control and safety documentation specific to the site
4. Receiving SFDA approval before any product application can move forward

Facility registration on this platform typically takes longer than manufacturers expect, so starting early avoids delaying an entire product line’s launch.

Read More : SFDA Cosmetics Registration Guide 2026 | Certalis Global

How Does Product Registration Work on the GHAD Portal?

Product-level work inside the GHAD SFDA platform begins only once a facility is approved, since each individual product needs its own separate registration record before it can legally enter Saudi Arabia.

1. Selecting the correct product category and the applicable regulation that governs it
2. Uploading ingredient lists, formulations, and safety data sheets for review
3. Submitting Arabic-compliant labeling artwork that matches the final packaging exactly
4. Waiting for SFDA’s product-level approval before booking the shipment

Product registration on the GHAD Portal moves faster when the underlying facility file is already complete and error-free.

What Documents Are Required for GHAD Platform Registration?

Every GHAD SFDA application depends on documentation accuracy, since missing or inconsistent paperwork remains the single biggest reason product applications bounce back for revision.

1. Valid facility registration certificate from the actual manufacturing site
2. Full ingredient or formulation breakdown for every product variant
3. Certificate of Analysis issued by an accredited testing laboratory
4. Arabic and English label artwork matching the final retail packaging

Preparing every document before starting an application avoids the back-and-forth that stretches approval timelines by weeks.

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

Why Choose Certalis Global for Your GHAD SFDA Compliance?

Certalis Global manages facility and product registration end to end, coordinating directly with SFDA on the manufacturer’s behalf from the very first application through final market approval.

1. Full facility registration handled from initial application through final approval
2. Product-level registration support across food, cosmetics, and medical device categories
3. Document review that catches gaps and inconsistencies before SFDA does
4. Ongoing compliance monitoring as regulations and platform requirements continue to update

Certalis Global turns SFDA compliance into a manageable process instead of a guessing game, and the team is ready to review a facility’s requirements today.

FAQs

Is GHAD registration required for all products imported to Saudi Arabia?

Only SFDA-regulated products need this registration, covering food, cosmetics, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals rather than every imported category.

Does GHAD registration replace SABER certification?

No, the two platforms cover separate product categories, and some shipments may need both depending on exactly what is being imported.

Can a foreign company register on GHAD without a local agent?

Generally no, foreign manufacturers need a Saudi-based authorized representative to submit and manage applications on their behalf.

What are the costs for GHAD facility registration?

Costs vary by facility size and product category, though manufacturers should budget for registration fees plus any required laboratory testing.