SASO Temporarily Suspends Enforcement of Surfactant-Related Provisions in Certain Detergent Products

In light of the challenges currently facing the global supply chain, which have affected the supply of certain raw materials in the chemical industry and consequently impacted some Saudi manufacturers, SASO hereby notifies that the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization has temporarily suspended the enforcement of surfactant-related clauses in the affected detergent product standards, including synthetic detergents, household synthetic detergent powder, liquid detergent for manual dishwashing, and synthetic liquid detergent for clothing and fabrics. This suspension is a temporary measure, effective from June 14, 2026, for a period not exceeding 6 months.

Suspended Standards and Clause Details

The following are the standard numbers, descriptions, and specific clause contents:

No.Standard No.Standard TitleClause No.Clause Description
1SASO GSO 151Synthetic Detergents - Household Synthetic Detergents Powder4.11The content of surfactants (anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric, or their mixtures) together with soap or similar substances shall not be less than 6%.
2SASO GSO 2238Liquid Detergent for Manual Dishwashing4.6When tested in accordance with the Gulf Standard referred to in Section 2.1, the total content of active substances (anionic, nonionic, or amphoteric) surfactants shall not be less than 9%. In addition, urea and an appropriate amount of denatured alcohol (which shall not contain methanol) may be added to the solution as needed to maintain clarity. The solution shall not contain any other non-aqueous solvents.
3SASO GSO 2059Synthetic Liquid Detergents for Clothing and FabricsItem (1) in Table 1Total active substances (minimum 6%)

SASO hereby emphasizes that all accredited certification bodies shall comply with the performance testing requirements applicable to the above-mentioned products to ensure their functional efficiency during this period.