Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-III§58 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Measures |
Technical regulation or specifications |
Not specified |
Relevant information
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Any interested party (i.e. the public sector, the private sector, academia, and members of the public) may submit proposals for national standards to SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization). All draft standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessments are made available on the SASO website for public comment for at least 60 days. After the SASO Board of Directors approves a proposed standard, there is usually a period of six months between final publication and entry into force. Technical committees make recommendations to the SASO Board of Directors on whether a standard should be voluntary or mandatory. According to the authorities, the criteria for adopting a standard as mandatory are based on the fulfilment of legitimate objectives such as protection of health, safety, national security, Islamic law, and the environment. Currently, there are 1,820 technical regulations in force, 516 of which were adopted during 2012-15 (Table A3.2).
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-III§78 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition |
Manufacturing |
Relevant information
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(...) In addition, all types of palm trees and their derivatives (except dates), plants, and products of anaesthetic types, or poisonous types are prohibited from importation. Furthermore, natural soil and natural organic fertilizers may not be imported into Saudi Arabia.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-III§81 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Measures |
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Agriculture |
Relevant information
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During the period under review, the Organic Agriculture Act was issued. The Department for Organic Agriculture, under the Ministry of Agriculture, maintains and updates regularly a positive list of inputs and their characteristics (including fertilizers, soil conditioner, plant protection materials, food additives, etc.) which are in compliance with the Act. Agricultural products (including fresh and processed products and agricultural production inputs for organic farming activities) that comply with the Saudi organic farming law may be marketed as "organic", using a Saudi national logo for organic agricultural products or for organic production inputs. Producers of organic products are subject to compliance checks, at least once a year; the compliance checks are carried out by private bodies designated by the Department. Organic producers may face removal from the authorization list if severe infringement is found during the compliance check. According to the authorities, imported products may also be marketed as "organic" only when they meet the requirements of the law and are approved by the Department.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-III§82 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Measures |
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Agriculture |
Relevant information
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Imports of GM food must be accompanied by a certificate issued from the competent authority of the exporting country, confirming that the GM food in question is allowed to be consumed in the country of origin. Labelling of GM food follows a positive labelling approach, i.e. all ingredients must be indicated in the labels. Under the Council of Ministers Cable No. 7/5/2911 (dated 16/1/1425H - 7 March 2004), genetically modified dates, seeds, seedlings, and ornamental plants are banned from importation to Saudi Arabia.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-III§88 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Measures |
Export licences |
Other |
Relevant information
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There are 10 categories of goods subject to export licensing requirements (Table 3.7). Exports of antiques are no longer prohibited but subject to approval (licensing) from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. Exports of any wildlife species (animals or plants) and their products must be accompanied by a CITES permit from the Saudi Wildlife Authority. Exports of crude oil and its derivatives are subject to automatic licensing requirements.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-Table-III.7 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Measures |
Export licences |
Chemicals, Other |
Relevant information
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Table 3.7 Products requiring export licences, 2015
HS code Description Licensing authority
29 03 19 10
29 03 45
29 03 49 Ozone depleting materials Presidency of Meteorology and Environment
(...)
Different headings Wild fauna and flora, and products thereof Saudi Wildlife Authority
(...)
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Keywords
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Environment
Wildlife
Soil
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-IV§14 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Agriculture, Other |
Relevant information
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Agricultural production in Saudi Arabia faces several challenges related to the harsh desert climate, very limited water resources, and poor quality soils. Historically, production was limited to dates and small-scale production for subsistence and nomadic livestock. Under government programmes that began in the 1970s: irrigation, transport, and storage facilities were constructed; research and training programmes were started; and land was allocated to farmers.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-IV§21 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Agriculture, Other |
Relevant information
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Under the Eighth Development Plan (2005-2009), and the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 335 of November 2007, agricultural policy underwent a marked reform away from emphasizing domestic production and the pursuit of self-sufficiency in several key products towards greater emphasis on sustainable production, particularly more efficient use of water. (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-IV§22 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Agriculture, Fisheries |
Relevant information
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Under the general policy of economic diversification in the Ninth Development Plan (2010 2014), the overall objective for agriculture policy is "modern agriculture that focuses on high value added, used advanced water saving techniques, and which improves efficiency of natural resource utilization". The objective is based on the vision of putting the sector on a path to sustainable development, promoting scientific research for high-yielding salinity-resistant varieties, and diversifying the production base of the economy through water-efficient crops. The plan includes five specific objectives:
(...)
• Improve efficiency of utilization of natural resources to achieve sustainable agricultural development;
(...)
• Maintain, develop and diversify fisheries resources.
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Keywords
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Natural resources
Sustainable
Fish
Bio
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/333/REV.1 |
S-IV§23 |
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of |
2016 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Agriculture, Forestry |
Relevant information
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To achieve these objectives and targets, the Ninth Development Plan includes programmes to increase production of water-efficient crops; improve agricultural markets; improve farm extension services, and research and development; and improve sustainable management of rangelands and forests. (...)
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