SFDA vs GCC Certifications | What’s Accepted in 2025?
Certified in UAE or Qatar? Learn if SFDA accepts your Gulf certificates, Halal documents, or test reports — and how to avoid duplicate work in Saudi Arabia.
7/2/20252 min read
Does SFDA Accept Certificates from Other Gulf Countries?
If your product is already certified in another GCC country like the UAE, Qatar, or Kuwait — you might be wondering: can you use that same certificate for SFDA approval in Saudi Arabia?
This is a common assumption among exporters and manufacturers, but the truth is more nuanced. While some Gulf standards align, the SFDA has its own independent regulatory system.
Let's answer the questions that matter most.
Can I use a Halal certificate from UAE or Bahrain for SFDA?
Sometimes — but not always. SFDA only accepts Halal certificates issued by bodies that are approved by the Saudi Accreditation Center (SAC).
Even if your Halal certificate is valid in another Gulf country, it won’t be accepted in KSA unless the issuing body is on SFDA’s recognized list.
What about GSO or GCC-wide certifications — are they accepted?
GSO (Gulf Standardization Organization) certificates show that a product meets Gulf-wide standards, which can help.
However, SFDA still requires local compliance verification.
GSO certificates can support your application but are not a replacement for SFDA approval.
Is ECAS from the UAE accepted by SFDA?
No, ECAS (Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme) is only valid for the UAE.
You’ll need to go through Saudi Arabia’s conformity and registration process, including potential lab testing, label validation, and document translation.
If my product passed testing in Qatar, do I need to test again in KSA?
Very likely, yes. SFDA has its own requirements for testing, and unless your lab is on their approved list, they may request re-testing in Saudi Arabia.
This applies especially to supplements, functional foods, and animal-based products.
Do Gulf conformity certificates speed up SFDA approval?
They can — if presented correctly. While they don’t replace SFDA review, showing that your product is already certified to Gulf standards may reduce scrutiny or help clarify compliance history.
This is especially true when accompanied by a complete SFDA dossier.
Are there any certificates that transfer across GCC and are accepted by SFDA directly?
Only in very rare cases — typically when the certificate is issued by a body recognized by both the country of origin and the Saudi authorities.
Always confirm with an expert.
How can I avoid repeating certification work when entering Saudi Arabia?
Use certification bodies recognized by SFDA
Align your documents with SFDA dossier structure
Validate testing labs with Saudi authorities
Get regulatory guidance before submission
Does Saudi Food Registration offer this kind of support?
Yes. We help clients:
Check if their existing certificates meet SFDA standards
Avoid redundant lab work
Prepare complete submissions with minimal rework
Communicate with SFDA when clarification is needed
Need help verifying your Gulf certificates before applying to SFDA?
Talk to our team or use the chat in the bottom-right corner — we’ll help you avoid unnecessary delays.
Read Further More:
Already certified in UAE? Learn why GSO doesn’t guarantee SFDA: GCC Food Registration Made Easy
Unsure about lab acceptance? Read: How SFDA Verifies Foreign Laboratory Reports
Understand Saudi labeling compliance: Master SFDA Labeling Standards
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