G/SPS/N/ SAU/431  
 
19 August 2020  
(20-5634) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Fresh fruits and vegetables  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  Conditions for clearing imported fresh vegetables and 
fruits. Language(s):  Arabic . Number of pages:  5 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/SPS/SAU/20_4810_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content:  Clarify the regulatory requirements to clear fresh vegetables 
and fruits imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease , [ ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   
8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) : ISPM No. 
12 
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   G/SPS/N/ SAU/431 
 
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  9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  
− SFDA.FD/GSO 1814 (General standard for irradi ated foods) available in Arabic  
− SFDA.FD/GSO 2141 (General Requirements for Genetically Modified Unprocessed 
Agricultural Products) available in Arabic & English.  
− SFDA.FD/GSO 124 (GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FRESH FRUITS AND 
VEGETABLES BOXES) available in Arab ic & English.  
− SFDA.FD/GSO 323 (General requirements for transportation and storage of chilled 
and frozen foods). Available in Arabic & English  
− SFDA.FD/GSO 123 (GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FRESH FRUITS AND 
VEGETABLES). Available in Arabic & English  
− SFDA.FD/GSO 9 (Labeling of prepackaged food stuffs). Available in Arabic & 
English   
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : To be determined.  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : To be determined.  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [X]  Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) :  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [X]  Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 18 October 2020  
Agency or authority designated to handle c omments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
Saudi Food and Drug Authority  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, Ext. 3158  
Fax: +(966 11) 210 9825  
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa   
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa  
13. Text(s) available from: [ X] National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Saudi Food and Drug Authority  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, Ext. 3158  
Fax: +(966 11) 210 9825  
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa   
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa