Entering the Saudi Arabian Market: SASO

SASO is Saudi Arabia's standards and conformity authority. For products within scope, conformity with the technical regulations is demonstrated and a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is obtained.

The obligation lies with the importer: registration on the SABER platform and the certificate processes are carried out by an importer established in Saudi Arabia.

• Test reports to the SASO technical regulation
• Product description, model list and technical file
• The energy efficiency certificate (for products within scope)
• A sample Arabic label
• The PCoC application documents

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• The PCoC is product-based and is time-limited
• The PCoC is not sufficient on its own; an SCoC is required for every shipment
• The processes are administered through SABER by the importer
• Arabic labelling is mandatory

1. 01The technical regulation and platform registrationThe standards organisation determines the rule; the electronic platform administers registration and shipment confirmation. Conformity with the regulation does not by itself secure platform registration, nor does platform registration by itself secure conformity with the regulation.
2. 02SASO and G-MarkThe Gulf common mark applies to some product groups but does not take the place of the national technical regulations and platform registration.
3. 03Safety requirements and energy efficiencyThese are two separate sets of requirements; a product compliant on safety cannot be placed on the market if it does not meet the efficiency threshold.
4. 04The scope of the regulation and exemptionsThe scope list advances by expansion; exemptions are specific to the product group and are confirmed from the text of the regulation in force.

This page describes entry into the Saudi Arabia market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.

This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.