I. SASO SABER Certification (Former SASO‑COC Certification)

Certification Overview

      SASO stands for the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. In the early days, Saudi Arabia implemented the PCP Product Conformity Programme, under which paper-based SASO‑COC certificates were used for customs clearance. Starting from 2019, the SABER online platform was fully launched to replace the old paper COC certificates. All regulated products exported to Saudi Arabia must obtain certificates via the SABER system.

      The SABER system comprises two levels of certificates: the PCoC (Product Conformity Certificate, for model registration) and the SCoC (Shipment Conformity Certificate). For regulated products, a PCoC must be obtained first before applying for the SCoC for each shipment. The SCoC is a mandatory document for customs clearance in Saudi Arabia. SABER accounts must be registered by local Saudi importers; domestic manufacturers in China cannot register platform accounts directly.

 

Latest Saudi Requirements

1. Valid test reports issued by ILAC-accredited laboratories must be submitted for certificate applications. GCC-G-Mark certificates can be used directly for PCoC registration.

2. A PCoC certificate corresponds to a single product model; an SCoC is only valid for the specific shipment for which it is applied.

3. Pre-shipment inspection is required for high-risk products to verify product labels, nameplates and packaging.

4. Product nameplates and packaging must comply with Saudi labelling regulations, with mandatory Arabic warnings and instruction manuals.

 

Product Scope

      Most consumer goods fall under regulation: toys, home appliances and electronic products, lighting and cables, automobiles and auto parts, tyres, lithium batteries and power banks, textiles, building materials, gas appliances, etc.

      Exempted items: food and agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, crude oil.

      Prohibited imports: weapons, alcoholic beverages, pork products, pornographic materials and more than 40 other categories.

 

Application Process

      1. Confirm the HS code of the product to check whether it is a SABER-regulated product. An existing G-Mark certificate may be used directly for registration. If no G-Mark is available, prepare test reports issued by laboratories with ISO17025 accreditation.

      2. The local Saudi importer logs into the SABER platform and uploads documents to apply for the PCoC Product Conformity Certificate.

      3. Before shipment of each consignment, submit invoices and packing lists on the SABER system to apply for the SCoC shipment clearance certificate.

      4. The exporter prepares relevant accompanying documents, and the importer uses the SCoC certificate for customs clearance in Saudi Arabia.

 

Certification Mark

      There is no unified mark printed on products; customs clearance relies on electronic certificates in the SABER system. Certain high-risk products require the SQM Saudi Quality Mark.

Labelling Requirements:

      1. Instruction manuals and warning statements must be in Arabic (Arabic + English bilingual is acceptable).

      2. The origin marking MADE IN CHINA must be engraved in a non-removable manner. Ordinary adhesive stickers are not permitted.

      3. Unauthorised printing of the official SASO logo on products and packaging is forbidden, as it will lead to cargo detention.

 

Additional Information

 

Technical specifications: AC220V 60Hz, BS 1363 plug

Mandatory status: Mandatory for products within the regulated list

Certificate validity: PCoC product certificate valid for 1 year; SCoC valid for a single batch only

Factory audit requirement: Not required for ordinary products; factory audits apply to some high-risk products

Applicant requirement: SABER account must be owned by a local Saudi importer

 

 

 

II. SASO EER Saudi Energy Efficiency Label Certification

 

Certification Overview

      SASO EER is a mandatory energy efficiency labelling scheme implemented by SASO for market access in Saudi Arabia. For regulated products, in addition to obtaining SABER PCoC/SCoC clearance certificates, EER energy efficiency registration must be completed and Saudi energy efficiency labels affixed before the products can be sold in the Saudi market.

      EER energy efficiency registration is carried out on the official Saudi EER platform. Product energy efficiency parameters are entered to generate exclusive energy efficiency labels. Products without compliant energy efficiency labels will be detained by customs and banned from sale. The EER energy efficiency registration and SABER system are interconnected. For some products, proof of successful EER registration must be uploaded when applying for the PCoC.

 

Product Scope

      Mainly covering home appliances: room air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, televisions, LED lamps, fans, water heaters, ovens and other power-consuming home appliances. The regulatory list of covered products is continuously updated and expanded.

 

Application Process

      1. Laboratories holding ILAC‑ISO17025 accreditation conduct energy efficiency tests in accordance with Saudi SASO energy efficiency standards and issue energy efficiency test reports.

      2. The local Saudi importer logs into the Saudi EER energy efficiency platform and submits test reports, product nameplate photos and product documentation for registration.

      3. Upon platform approval, an electronic file of the exclusive Saudi energy efficiency label for that model is generated.

      4. The officially generated EER energy efficiency label must be affixed or printed onto the product itself.

 

      5. Upload proof of EER registration to the SABER platform to complete the PCoC product certificate application, and apply for SCoC clearance for subsequent shipments.

 

Certification Mark

 

Additional Information

Technical specifications: In accordance with Saudi SASO energy efficiency standards, AC220V 60Hz

Mandatory status: Mandatory for products within the list, a prerequisite for market access

Certificate validity: Registered model valid for 5 years; re-testing and re-registration required upon standard updates

Factory audit requirement: No factory audit; post-market surveillance and sampling inspections will be conducted

Applicant requirement: Registration applicant must be a local Saudi importer