The Ministry of Commerce is devising a new work mechanism to prevent the entry of goods that are not in conformity with specifications and are potentially harmful to consumers. Sources in the ministry said the implementation of the new plan, to be carried out jointly by the ministry, the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA,) will start at the country's entry points and will gradually cover the monitoring of shops. The sources said consensus has developed on new penalties against those dealing in counterfeited items and that these will be issued as soon as they are approved. SASO has admitted that cosmetics and herbal mixtures not in conformity with specifications are being sold in the market. Dr. Muhammad Al-Kanhal, head of SASO, said campaigns are constantly carried out to remove such items from markets in cooperation with relevant authorities, noting that SASO is continuing to educate consumers about the harmful effects of these products.
