The Saudi Organic Farming Association (SOFA) is a financially-independent non-governmental association with a legal personality operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture. It shall be headquartered in the city of Riyadh and it may establish branches within the Kingdom.

A. SOFA aims to promote organic farming and organic products as well as all activities related thereto, particularly the following:
1. Setting the necessary requirements and standards for organic farming and organic products, to be approved by the competent authority.
2. Reviewing and proposing amendments to laws, regulations, and standards related to organic farming and organic products and submitting the same to the competent authority.
3. Proposing mechanisms and methods for monitoring and inspection, and submitting the same to the competent authority.
4. Submitting to the competent authority recommendations on matters related to the issuance, modification, or revocation of licenses.
5. Awarding a seal indicating that the product conforms to organic production standards.
6. Coordinating with entities related to organic farming and organic products to organize and participate in conferences, exhibitions, and symposia on organic farming and organic production within the Kingdom or abroad.
7. Proposing areas for research and studies related to organic farming, production, and marketing, and submitting recommendations to the competent authority.
8. Providing technical advice in SOFA's field of specialty in accordance with criteria approved by SOFA’s Board of Directors.
B. The Minister of Agriculture shall designate the competent authority and the procedures necessary to implement the provisions of the preceding paragraph of this Article.

SOFA membership shall be as follows:
1. Full membership:
For Saudi citizens involved in organic farming and its input, output, and marketing, as well as experts in the field.
2. Associate membership:
a) Saudi or non-Saudi individuals concerned with organic farming who apply for membership.
b) Relevant offices and companies licensed to engage in organic farming and organic production in the Kingdom.
3. Honorary membership:
Awarded by SOFA’s Board of Directors to those who provide outstanding contributions to SOFA. An honorary member shall be exempted from membership fees.

1. SOFA shall have a general assembly comprising full members who have
paid their annual membership fees. The General Assembly shall hold its ordinary meetings annually. Extraordinary meetings, however, shall be held in accordance with its internal regulations.
2. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be the chairman of the General Assembly. As an exception, members of the General Assembly shall elect a member from among themselves to chair the first meeting.
3. The call for the General Assembly’s meetings shall be sent at least twenty days prior to the meeting date and shall include the meeting date and venue.
A meeting shall be valid regardless of the number of attendees. Resolutions of the General Assembly shall be passed by the majority vote of attending members. In case of a tie, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

The General Assembly shall have the following powers:
1. Issuing SOFA's internal regulations.
2. Approving membership fees.
3. Approving SOFA's final accounts and appointing an auditor and determining his remuneration. As an exception, the Board of Directors shall appoint and determine the remuneration of an auditor for the first term.
4. Approving the work plan submitted by the Board of Directors as well as the annual report on its activities.
5. Approving SOFA's annual budget.
6. Electing representatives of the General Assembly to the Board of Directors.

1. SOFA's Board of Directors shall consist of 10 full members elected by the General Assembly. The internal regulations shall determine the necessary procedures and eligibility requirements. The Board of Directors shall elect from among its members the chairman and vice-chairman by secret ballot.
2. The membership term of the Board of Directors shall be three renewable years.
3. The Board of Directors shall convene at least once every three months, and may convene upon the request of the Chairman or four Board members.
4. Meetings shall be valid only if attended by the majority of members, provided the Chairman or Vice-Chairman are in attendance.
5. Board resolutions shall be passed by the majority vote of attending members. In case of a tie, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.
6. The Secretary-General shall attend Board meetings, without the right to vote.

The Board of Directors shall exercise the powers necessary to manage SOFA's affairs and achieve the objectives provided for in Article 2 of this Statute, particularly the following:
1. Calling for the General Assembly’s meetings.
2. Proposing SOFA's internal regulations and amendments thereto.
3. Proposing membership fees.
4. Drafting SOFA's final accounts.
5. Drafting the annual report on SOFA’s activities and proposing SOFA’s work plan.
6. Drafting SOFA's annual budget.
7. Forming technical and scientific committees, as needed, and setting their work procedures.
8. Appointing SOFA's Secretary-General and his Deputy, and determining their duties, responsibilities, and rights.
9. Accepting grants and donations.
10. Approving the investment policy of SOFA's funds.

SOFA's financial resources shall be as follows:
1. Membership fees.
2. Grants and donations.
3. Service fees.
4. Returns on its investments.

This Statute shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on the date of its publication.