Abdulraheem Bin Hassan Okaz/Saudi Gazette MADINAH – The Ministry of Commerce and Industry intends to subject products manufactured locally to standard and specification tests, to ensure conformity with recognized standards and specifications. This is to ensure maximum protection for consumers. Many locally manufactured products are currently not tested before they reach consumers. According to informed sources, the procedures include creating mechanisms through which the products are tested at local laboratories and do not reach the market until after the test results. Factories are to set up certified laboratories to ensure that no locally manufactured product reaches the market unless it passes required laboratory tests. Manufacturers claim that such measures will impact the product cost, which would have to be borne by the consumer. They confirmed at the same time that local products are manufactured according to international approved standards and specifications and do not need to be tested. The ministry has plans to close down all government laboratories and rely on private laboratories.
