What is eCosma notification system?

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) established the electronic cosmetic notification system (eCosma) in 2015 to be specified to the activities related to cosmetic products in the Saudi market starting from manufacturing to importing and distributing, with specialized directives and guidelines.

Cosmetic products registering and notifying in eCosma is mandatory for products prepared to be placed in the Saudi market since eCosma was fully implemented in 2016.

The eCosma includes the following sections:

Clearance(FASEH)

Domestic manufacture licensing

Warehouse licensing

Product notification certificate

GMP certificate for the local manufacturer

Requirements for receiving a eCosma File

Download File

eCosma notification process

1

Creating a user account in eCosma electronic system.

2

The local importer or distributor initiates a request for the license (either for product notification, Warehouse licensing, or both in parallel).

3

Adding the required information.

4

Once the products are registered, the eCosma notification number is issued.

eCosma notification system purpose

The main purpose of eCosma is to facilitate the cosmetic product registration process, and verify the required information and ensure its compatibility with the relevant guidelines before issuing the notification certificates. Conformity assessment performed through SFDA is still required to ensure the conformity of cosmetics to the relevant standards and regulations.

The importance of eCosma notification

It is a tool for the SFDA to carry out its mission of supervising and controlling cosmetic products in the Saudi market.

Obtaining the certificate of conformity and clearing the imported cosmetic products at customs ports requires the notification/listing reference numbers and Warehouse License number. As the certificate of conformity is still mandatory for cosmetics.

eCosma scope of products

Defining the scope of eCosma is based on the SFDA definition of cosmetic products.

SFDA defines cosmetic products as “any substance preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips, and external genital organs), or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view to exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and/or correcting body odours and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition”.

Examples of cosmetic products

Lotions, gels, emulsions, creams, and oils for the face, hands, feet, body, etc.

Face Masks.

Tinted bases including liquids, pastes, and powders

Various types of powders as make-up powders, after-bath powders, hygienic powders, etc.

Deodorant soaps, toilet soaps, etc.

Perfumes, toilet waters, and eau de cologne.

Bath and shower preparations such as salts, foams, oils, gels, etc.

Depilatories

Deodorants and antiperspirant

Haircare products

Shaving products including creams, foams, lotions, etc.

Products for making up and make-up removers for eyes and face.

Products for application to lips.

Teeth and mouth care products.

Nail care and make-up

External intimate hygiene products

Sunbathing

Tanning creams

Skin-whitening products

Anti-wrinkle products

Eye makeup (Mascara, Eye shadow, brows, lids, pencil, lashes, cream,..)

eCosma notification requirements

There are two eCosma notifications; Manufacturer Notification, and Product Notification, and the requirements are different for each of them.

Manufacturer Notification requirements

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) or Quality Certificate
Marketing Authorization Letter
Contact Person Authorization Letter (in KSA)
Relationship letter between the brand owner and manufacturer
Free sale certificate
In the case of foreign companies that intend to export cosmetics to Saudi Arabia, it is a must to sign with a local distribution company to obtain both manufacturer and product notification.

Product Notification requirements

1

Product packaging label

2

Ingredient List

3

Ingredient List

eCosma product notification types

Notifying cosmetic products on eCosma requires selecting one of four types of product notification:

A simple product, which is a one-pack product, requires one product information file and one notification in eCosma.
Simple products with variants such as one make-up set including various shades, this type requires one product information file and one notification in eCosma.
Composite products such as pallets including several types of products such as eye shadow, and blush…, this type requires one product information file and one notification in eCosma.
Kit products such as kits consisted of different products such as kits shower gel + lotion…, this type requires an information file and notification in eCosma for each product separately.

What is eCosma Warehouse licensing?

The local importer or distributor of cosmetic products should own a warehouse to store their products, and it is mandatory to obtain a license from SFDA as a part of eCosma registration process and to issue the certificate of conformity.

SFDA enforced the Warehouse License Number with an exception in case the goods are imported and placed directly in the retail stores in the kingdom, and if the importer needs an exception for a different reason he must initiate a request for SFDA.

In Tabseer we will help you with our worldwide network and partners to ensure conformity compliance for your products with SFDA technical regulations and standards, so you can register and notify your products from cosmetics in eCosma, and get an easy clearance of your shipments at customs ports via certificate of conformance(COC).

Ready to get started?

Apply now

Apply now. If you have any questions or inquiries, Tabseer team will help you via all our communication channels, anytime and from all over the world.

section title