RIYADH — The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) stated that testing confirms a Chinese company's products in Saudi Arabia are free from harmful substances. "Based on media reports circulated in several countries regarding the association of products from a Chinese e-commerce company with diseases threatening consumer safety, direct coordination has been made with relevant government entities to address the parent company," SASO said in a statement while noting that this aimed to obligate the parent company to remove all mentioned products as a precautionary measure and prohibit them from appearing on e-commerce platforms or being sold to consumers in the Kingdom until their safety and absence of harmful substances are ensured. SASO said it has taken promptly precautionary and regulatory measures by withdrawing around 70 random samples imported through e-commerce platforms for consumers in the Kingdom. These samples were shipped using three different shipping sources. The test results showed that the products were free from harmful substances and did not exceed the permissible levels in the manufacture of those products, as revealed by SASO. It added that results from all laboratories confirmed that these products meet the requirements of the adopted standard specifications. The withdrawn samples underwent rigorous testing according to the approved standard specifications at the laboratories of SASO and King Saud University (KSU), as well as one of the accredited private laboratories. SASO stated that these tests included measuring the levels of chemical pollutants, toxicity, phthalates, and the concentration levels of heavy elements such as lead and arsenic, among others. Furthermore, SASO emphasized the Kingdom's reliance on a comprehensive and rigorous system to verify the safety of consumer products, along with continued regulatory efforts to protect consumers and markets, with no compromise in taking necessary measures to ensure consumer safety and health. Moreover, SASO reiterated its commitment to promptly inform consumers in the Kingdom of any developments in this regard, believing in consumers' right to access all relevant information regarding the safety of products available in the markets.
