Saudi SASO Enforces CPC 2026 for Infant Feeding Products

Saudi Arabia’s Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) implemented revised certification requirements under the Consumer Product Certificate (CPC) 2026 standard on May 24, 2026. The update specifically targets Infant Feeding & Care products—including baby bottles, breast pumps, and baby food processors—and introduces stricter bisphenol A (BPA) migration limits, mandatory Arabic-language labeling, and compulsory pre-clearance registration via the SABER platform. Exporters and manufacturers supplying to the Saudi market must now prioritize compliance, as non-certified goods will be barred from entry starting June 2026.

Event Overview

On May 24, 2026, SASO officially enforced the updated CPC 2026 certification framework for Infant Feeding & Care products. Key requirements include: (1) a tightened BPA migration limit of ≤0.01 mg/kg (down from the previous 0.3 mg/kg); (2) mandatory Arabic-language labeling compliant with local consumer protection rules; and (3) compulsory pre-shipment registration and approval through the SABER electronic platform. Products failing to meet these criteria will be denied customs clearance beginning in June 2026.

Industries Affected

Direct Exporters and Trading Companies

These entities face immediate operational impact due to the enforcement timeline and documentation requirements. Non-compliant shipments risk rejection at Saudi ports, leading to delays, storage costs, or forced re-export. The need for SABER registration—requiring both product certification (PC) and shipment conformity (SC) approvals—adds procedural complexity and lead time to each export cycle.

Manufacturers of Infant Feeding Products

Producers must verify material composition and conduct updated BPA migration testing per CPC 2026 specifications. The tenfold reduction in allowable BPA levels may necessitate reformulation of polycarbonate or epoxy-based components, especially in bottle linings, pump parts, or blending containers. Facilities without in-house migration testing capability will require third-party lab validation aligned with SASO-recognized methods.

Suppliers of Raw Materials and Components

Material vendors supplying resins, coatings, gaskets, or seals used in infant feeding devices are indirectly affected. Buyers may now require updated declarations of conformity, migration test reports, or certificates verifying BPA-free status—even for subcomponents not directly contacting food. This shifts traceability and documentation expectations upstream in the supply chain.

Distribution and Logistics Service Providers

Forwarders and customs brokers handling Saudi-bound consignments must now validate CPC 2026 compliance before filing SABER SC applications. Errors in labeling language, missing Arabic text, or unregistered product codes may trigger SABER system rejections. Service providers may need to update internal checklists and staff training to reflect the new labeling and documentation standards.

Key Actions for Relevant Businesses

Verify current product certifications against CPC 2026 scope and test parameters

Companies should cross-check existing SASO certifications to confirm whether they reference CPC 2026 or earlier versions. Where legacy certifications remain active, retesting for BPA migration at the new 0.01 mg/kg threshold is required—not merely a paperwork update.

Review and localize all product labels, user manuals, and packaging materials into Arabic

Arabic labeling must comply with SASO’s formatting, font size, and content requirements—not just translation. Critical elements include product name, manufacturer/importer details, batch/lot number, usage instructions, safety warnings, and expiry (if applicable). Machine-translated or non-verified Arabic text does not satisfy the requirement.

Complete SABER platform onboarding and assign authorized representatives for PC/SC issuance

Foreign manufacturers without a local Saudi entity must appoint an Authorized Representative (AR) registered with SASO to apply for the Product Certificate (PC). The AR must maintain up-to-date technical files and coordinate with accredited laboratories. Preparing this setup ahead of shipment avoids bottlenecks during peak export periods.

Assess supply chain exposure to BPA-containing materials, particularly in multi-tier assemblies

Analysis shows that BPA may originate not only from primary plastic bodies but also from adhesives, printed inks, or internal coatings. Companies should map material bills of materials (BOMs) down to component level and request updated supplier declarations covering migration behavior—not just presence/absence claims.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

Observably, this regulatory shift reflects SASO’s broader alignment with evolving global safety benchmarks—particularly those advanced by the EU (EU No 10/2011) and GCC Standardization Organization (GSO)—rather than an isolated national measure. From an industry perspective, the abrupt 30-fold tightening of the BPA limit signals heightened scrutiny of endocrine-disrupting substances in products intended for vulnerable users. Current more appropriate interpretation is that CPC 2026 functions less as a one-time compliance checkpoint and more as an early indicator of future harmonization across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. Stakeholders should monitor whether similar revisions appear in upcoming GSO revisions or UAE ESMA updates.

This development is not yet a de facto regional standard—but it is becoming a de facto entry prerequisite for Saudi Arabia, and increasingly a benchmark for buyer due diligence across Middle Eastern importers.

In summary, SASO’s CPC 2026 enforcement marks a concrete escalation in regulatory expectations for infant feeding products entering Saudi Arabia—not merely a procedural refresh but a material and labeling standard reset. It underscores that compliance is now defined by three interdependent pillars: chemical safety thresholds, linguistic localization, and digital pre-approval discipline. For businesses, the event is best understood not as a temporary hurdle but as a structural recalibration of market access requirements in a high-priority growth region.

Source: Official SASO announcement (May 2026), CPC 2026 regulatory bulletin, SABER platform guidance documents. Note: Ongoing monitoring is advised for potential clarifications on transition timelines, grandfathering provisions for existing stock, and laboratory accreditation updates—none of which have been formally published as of May 2026.