Saudi Arabia to lead global ISO committee on wound care standards

According to the Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia has been appointed to lead the ISO/TC 357 technical committee, a body tasked with developing global standards for wound dressings and compresses. This appointment marks the first time a country in the region has chaired this specific international technical committee under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). Representing the Kingdom, the SFDA will serve as the committee's secretariat, overseeing the development of international protocols. These standards will encompass critical areas including terminology, safety and performance requirements, standardized testing methods, and safety controls for medical wound care products.

The SFDA proposed the establishment of this committee to address a perceived global gap in standardized regulations for wound care materials. By leading this technical work, Saudi Arabia aims to influence the global regulatory landscape for medical supplies. SASO has been instrumental in coordinating the procedural and technical framework required to align national standards with the international requirements set forth by the ISO.