KSA: In 2017, Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) brought in new regulations for plastic packaging, which came into effect from December 2017, like the Phase I where certain permit- ted PP and PE products could be produced/imported into Saudi. The Phase-2 implemented in August 2018 included a few more items in the ‘not to be pro- duced/imported’ category. The Phase-3 and final one, with some more added to the banned list, was to come into force from 1 February 2019, has been postponed to until September 2019.
The new regulations in Saudi Arabia following in the footsteps of similar legislation UAE adopted many years ago. The new regulations are an attempt to counter environmental-health risks posed by plastic waste.
This will, however, also affect the way packaging material is produced.
Step-by-step implementation
The 2017 regulations to be implemented in a step-by-step action, would require manufacturers, brand owners and importers to produce or import non-biodegradable plastics packaging.
Plastic products entering the country need to be registered with SASO, which once reviews the test report certificate of the additives in the product and the products are approved. SASO will then issue a logo that needs to be placed on the products. Starting from early December 2017 importers and freight forwarders have been informed. Until now, there is no information that the use of non-certified plastic packaging has caused any problems at customs. Instead, shipments will be passed and importers have to sign a compliance declaration to use certified foils/films or allied packaging materials in the future.
New regulations are also to be applied to the production of plastic packaging in Saudi Arabia. Production of non-biodegradable products is not allowed any more. However, there is no information on local producers’ adaptation of their production.
Phased approach
SASO has chosen for a phased approach. Phase-1 covers shopping, garbage, clothing bags, disposable sheet rolls and barley sacks w.e.f April 2017. Due to the nature of these products most companies were not affected yet.
The Phase-2 included almost all packaging material, such as, bubble wrap, cushioning, bags for postal use, flower wraps, stretch films, overwraps, shrink films, cling films and packaging bags for bread, nuts, sweets, and bakery items.
The Phase-3, to come into effect from September 2019 will contain some more packaging material like plastic liners used for cartons, plastic bags used in soil remediation, plastic bags used for seedlings, food packaging bags, and woven plastic bags.