JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia began facing environmental and health risks of plastic products that violate the regulations after approving a list of new standards that ensures all non-complying products will not be allowed into the country. Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) informed the customs of the new standards for the degradable plastic products. The organization stressed that any product that is not approved will not be allowed inside the country.
SASO asked the customs to work with laboratories to test the imports. It also requested Saudi Council of Chambers to notify all businessmen and importers of the new regulations. Head of Jeddah customs chamber, Ibrahim al-Oqaily said that all agents have been informed of the new regulations. He pointed out that this step aims to control plastic imports after several harmful products have been found in the Saudi market. Oqaily stated that this new order improves the product’s efficiency. He ensured that products are tests to make sure they conform with the protocols.
The committee aims to establish plans for higher efficiency and productivity in developing projects as well as increasing products’ quality. The committee launched 1183 new standards in order to improve local products, that were derived from the international regulations. Thus, enhancing the trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world. SASO board also approved 140 regulations’ update, thus making the number of Saudi regulations 8.26 thousand in total. The committee granted importers until mid this year to begin applying the list of regulations on degradable plastic products on all national facilities, that include mail packages and other packaging for bread and others. Saudi Arabia’s four major cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Medina produce about five million tons of waste products.
