SFDA (Saudi) Notifies Draft Regulation on Prepacked Foodstuffs Labelling for E-Commerce in GCC

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has formally notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a new draft Gulf Technical Regulation aimed at regulating the labeling of prepacked foodstuffs sold through electronic commerce platforms. This regulation, accessible through the WTO’s document-sharing platform, seeks to standardize the presentation and informational content of food labels in the Gulf region’s digital marketplace.

The SFDA’s proposed regulation ensures that consumers purchasing food products online have access to the same level of detailed product information that they would expect in physical retail environments.

Key aspects of the regulation include:

• Labeling Requirements: Specifies the requirements for food product labels offered for sale in electronic commerce stores, with an emphasis on clear and accurate display to consumers.
• Obligations for E-Commerce Stores: Outlines the responsibilities of online retailers in providing comprehensive and truthful product information to consumers.
• Geographical Scope: Applies to all food products sold online within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, promoting harmonized e-commerce practices across the region.

Next Steps for Online Food Retailers

Interested parties have until October 18, 2024, to submit comments on the draft regulation.

E-commerce operators within the GCC are encouraged to begin reviewing and potentially revising their online labeling practices to ensure compliance with the forthcoming regulations. This includes making sure that all relevant product information is presented clearly and comprehensively to online consumers.

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