How to get a Saudi Arabia MSDS?

Many foreign trade professionals complete a domestic or EU standard msds and use it directly for customs clearance in Saudi Arabia, only to be rejected by customs, delaying shipment. Today, we will clearly explain the requirements for a Saudi Arabia MSDS all at once, and whether a standard MSDS can be directly reused.

What Standard Does the Saudi Arabia MSDS Follow?

The current Saudi Arabia MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) follows the Saudi version of the GHS: the Saudi standard SASO ISO 11014 revised based on GHS under the SABER system. It shares the same origin as the EU CLP and the domestic GB/T 16483, but has mandatory localized differences.

Note: The MSDS submitted for Saudi Arabia customs clearance / SABER certification cannot be just any English version.

Can a Previously Made Standard MSDS Be Used Directly?

In the vast majority of cases, it cannot be used directly.

Common missing items in a standard MSDS (domestic GB, EU CLP general version):

1. Missing Saudi local regulatory entries and SABER-related remarks;

2. The emergency contact number must be a reachable number within Saudi Arabia (domestic mobile phone numbers and overseas numbers are not recognized);

3. The label hazard statements and precautionary statements must match the official translated text of the Saudi GHS;

4. Missing units of measurement, local emergency agencies, and Saudi dangerous goods control information;

5. Language requirements: Saudi official requirements mandate a bilingual Arabic + English MSDS; a purely English version is often rejected by customs.

It can only be modified and reused in one situation:

The original MSDS is a complete GHS version, and the chemical composition and physicochemical data are authentic and complete. It only requires targeted additions of Saudi localized clauses, replacement of emergency contact information, and supplementary Arabic content, without needing to be re-tested and redone from scratch.

Key Points for Preparing a Saudi Arabia MSDS

1. Language: Bilingual English + Arabic; the information in both languages must remain consistent;

2. 16-Part Fixed Structure: Strictly follow the 16 major sections of the GHS; chapters cannot be deleted or reduced;

3. Emergency Contact Number: Crucial point! It must be a local Saudi emergency number capable of being answered 24 hours a day;

4. Hazard Classification and H/P Statements: Adopt the statements corresponding to the Saudi GHS; EU CLP statements cannot be copied directly;

5. Regulatory Information Section: Must specify Saudi SASO and SABER related control regulations;

6. Data Authenticity: Physicochemical, toxicological, and environmental data need to match the actual product formula; general templates cannot be applied;

7. Issuance: Issued by a competent institution. When uploading to SABER, reviewers will check the consistency between the MSDS information and the product certificate.

Common Pitfall Reminders

1. Uploading only a purely English MSDS to SABER will fail the review;

2. Using a domestic emergency phone number will result in direct rejection;

3. Copying H/P phrases from an EU MSDS, as the Saudi GHS statement versions are different;

4. MSDS information conflicting with the product's saber certificate or product label information will cause customs clearance to get stuck.

Conclusion

A standard MSDS cannot be directly used for SABER customs clearance for exports to Saudi Arabia. If your product formula data is complete, you can do a Saudi localized revision based on the original MSDS; if it is a blank product, it needs to be newly prepared according to the Saudi GHS bilingual requirements. Verify the MSDS in advance before shipment to avoid having goods detained upon arrival and incurring additional demurrage costs.

Exporting products to Saudi Arabia and unsure if your existing MSDS meets SABER requirements? You can provide the product formula and the existing MSDS, and JJR LAB will quickly evaluate whether a revision is needed.