Saudi Arabia to Lead ISO Committee on Wound Care Standards

Saudi Arabia has been appointed to lead the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical committee responsible for developing global standards for wound dressings and wound compresses, becoming the first country in the region to chair an ISO technical committee of its kind.

Represented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the Kingdom will serve as the secretariat of ISO/TC 357, overseeing the committee's technical work on international standards for wound care products.

The committee's remit includes establishing common terminology for wound care products, developing safety and performance requirements, defining testing methods, and setting safety controls for wound dressings and wound compresses.

The appointment follows a joint initiative by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). The SFDA proposed establishing the committee in response to what it described as a global need for harmonised international standards in wound care, while SASO coordinated the technical and procedural work with ISO and national standards bodies worldwide.

The proposal advanced after completing ISO's technical and regulatory review process, including assessments by specialist technical committees and the organisation's Technical Management Board.

According to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, 27 ISO member countries voted in favour of establishing ISO/TC 357. A further 13 countries joined as participating members, while 21 countries, including several leading international standards organisations, signed on as observers.