Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Saudi Arabian Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) organized a workshop on Thursday at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry to explain the ban on plastic products, including packaging, that do not carry a SASO-approved logo.

The ban excludes plastics for export, as well the primary packaging of food and drugs, which is monitored by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

The new regulations, approved last year, will be implanted in three stages. SASO will issue permits to companies to use an approved logo after necessary tests are carried out. This system includes not just plastics produced locally but also the plastic packaging on products imported to the Kingdom.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Yazid Al-Faraj, who heads the department supervising the implementation of the system, said that they would take action to enforce the decision in coming days. He said the first stage, which has already started, covered plastic bags, napkins, rappers and trash cans. Cups, plates and hand gloves will be covered in the next stage. The final stage will include other products such as diapers, he added.

According to Al-Faraj, the first stage of implementation started four months ago. He said they visited a number of factories and were still working on increasing awareness. "So far some local and international companies like the ones in India, China and Turkey have contacted us to get approval for their logo," he said.

Asked about the precautions taken against violations, Al-Faraj said the Saudi Customs might carry out checks and then clear only SASO-approved products.

Jameel Akhdar, director of administration and human resources at Aras International Trading Company for Home Appliances, said he attended the workshop as a member of the JCCI but he did not expect his company to be included in the system.

"Many businesses thought this system would be restricted to plastic factories, but we discovered that it would be applied on all companies. I cannot think of a business that is excluded because all products come to the Kingdom in plastic packaging," Akhdar said.

He conceded that the system was a great step forward in efforts to protect the environment but its implementation should be preceded by awareness creation.

Sattam Balkhair of Al-Janadriyah for Plastics said the requirement would increase their costs.

"There are more than 1,000 plastic companies in Riyadh alone and where would the current stocks of these companies go?" he asked.

Balkhair said it took him five months to get the SASO approval for the logo for a product. "The new conditions will force local traders to look for approved plastics in other countries. They are required to do this even if they do not sell plastics. The most affected businesses will be small companies," Balkhair said.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to set environment-friendly standards for plastics to reduce the impact of leftover plastic in open areas on organic life.

Balkhair suggested that SASO must oblige companies to recycle used plastic as a better option to achieve its goal of environmental protection.