SFDA, represented by the Executive Department for Local Markets Control, has organized a workshop about launching the “ Online version of registration & licensing system for Potable water & ice and products organizations”, on Tuesday 24/10/1433H at SFDA Auditorium, Riyadh, attended by representative of several potable drinking water and ice companies & factories.

Dr. Ibrahim bin Saad Al Mehaizie, SFDA Vice President for Food Sector, emphasized the importance of this system and its benefits to importers, e.g. ease of business processes and identification of any roadblocks in the food chain; e.g. food safety from origin up to food consumption.  Dr. Al Mehaizie indicated that the sector operates with the other SFDA sectors according to an integrated process chain and strives to establish an automated business environment in line with SFDA direction for adoption of automated solutions.

The purpose of inviting potable water & ice and products factories is to explain the mechanism of online registration through the registration and licensing system of local food organizations and products, in line with SFDA direction for making use of automated systems in monitoring of potable water organizations and products, to improve this industry at one hand, and to enhance consumer protection at  the other hand. This is considered the initial step that will be followed by registration of the other food organizations and products. The purpose of the system is to enable food organizations to update their information and communicate easily with SFDA, as it is the governing authority, in addition to providing assistance to factories to comply with food and water safety requirements and to strengthen consumer confidence in their products.

It worth mentioning that the Council of Ministers has approved the organization structure of water  factories whereby SFDA shall undertake all regulatory, implementation and monitoring tasks of drinking water and ice factories, after SFDA completes all required regulatory, human and financial resources for this mandate. SFDA was also mandated to issue the technical licenses for these factories and to develop and monitor the mandatory drinking water specifications.