The royal decree No. 7/B/9512, dated 18/5/1422 AH, directed the establishment of a national committee named the "National Committee for Bioethics and Medical Ethics", under the supervision and administration of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. In compliance with the Council of Ministers' Decision No. 180, dated 9/6/1425 AH, and the provisions of the Research Ethics Regulations on Living Creatures and its executive bylaw, all research institutions in the Kingdom conducting research on living creatures are required to establish a local research ethics committee and register it with the Office for Research Ethics Oversight under the National Committee.

King Saud University took the initiative to establish the Local Committee for Research Ethics on Living Creatures, which was registered with the National Committee for Bioethics on 10/10/1428 AH under registration number (R-01-H 002). The registration was later updated to (HAP-01-R-002).

On 25 Safar 1434 AH, the University Council issued Decision No. (4/4/34) in its fourth session, approving the internal regulations for the local standing committee and subcommittees for research ethics on living creatures. These regulations define the relationship between the local committee and the subcommittees across the university’s colleges, outlining the operational framework to assist faculty members and researchers, and promoting a research ethics culture within the university.

Later, amendments to the internal regulations of the Local Standing Committee and Subcommittees for Research Ethics on Living Creatures were approved by King Saud University Council Decision No. (7/1/40), establishing a comprehensive research ethics system at the university consisting of a main committee and the following subcommittees:

1. The Standing Subcommittee for Human Research Ethics.

2. The Standing Subcommittee for Animal and Plant Research Ethics.

3. The Standing Subcommittee for Humanities and Social Research Ethics.