What is SASO? SASO Review

Basic Introduction

SASO certification is a general term for export certification to Saudi Arabia. In fact, it should be called Certificate Of Conformity certification, which is translated as Declaration of Conformity, namely COC certification (taking the first letters of the three words).

Necessity of SASO certification

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Industry and Commerce and SASO require that all products covered by SASO certification standards have SASO certification certificates when entering Saudi customs. Products without SASO certificates will be refused entry by Saudi port customs.

When products are exported to Saudi Arabia, a SASO certificate must be produced when the goods enter the country. The technicians of the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization will check the certificate. If the SASO certificate cannot be produced, the product will be refused entry or sampled and sent to the laboratory of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Industry and Commerce or the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization for testing. If the test fails, the product will be refused entry, and all costs will be borne by the exporting company.

Applicable Products

All consumer products exported to Saudi Arabia (which can be used by adults and children at home, office or other leisure places) are defined as regulated products. For example: household appliances, kitchen power tools, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, etc. All motor vehicles and their accessories All building materials, including coatings and paints, etc. The current ICCP involves 66 products in five categories. Category 1: Toys Category 2: Electrical and electronic products Category 3: Automotive products Category 4: Chemical products Category 5: Other products (a total of 10 product ranges) The following products are not consumer products: medical instruments; medical products; food; military products.

SABER Certification Process

Phase 1: PCoC Certificate (Product Certificate of Conformity)

1. Importers register a SABER platform system account;

2. Enter application information into the SABER system;

3. Select a conformity assessment certification body in the SABER platform system;

4. Pay the PCoC certificate fee;

5. Exporters/producers provide certification documents;

6. The issuing agency submits the approved documents to the SABER system;

7.SABER platform issues PCoC certificate online, and the certificate is valid for 1 year.

Note: Some high-risk products require factory inspection.

Phase 2: SCoC Certificate (Batch Shipment Certificate of Conformity)

1. Submit SCoC application materials to the SABER system;

2. The issuing authority confirms the validity of the PC certificate;

3. Pay the SCoC certification fee;

4.SABER platform issues SCoC certificate online, which is only valid for the goods imported in that batch.

Note: Currently all SCOC applications require a 13-digit product barcode.

Application Notes

1. Product nameplate label language: English and Arabic; the words MADE IN CHINA must be printed on the product and packaging or on the label; (MADE IN CHINA must be reflected on the product and packaging in an irremovable way, and cannot be affixed with ordinary self-adhesive stickers);

3. Saudi Arabia voltage: 220V-240V or 220V; current: 60Hz or 50/60Hz; voltage frequency must include 220V/60Hze);

4. Plug: The plug must be a British three-pin plug (BS1363 plug);

5. All hand-held power tools and household items must have Arabic instruction manuals;

6. Any SASO LOGO that is not registered and authorized by SASO is not allowed to be displayed on the product or packaging to avoid the goods being refused customs clearance by Saudi Arabian customs at the destination port;

Development History

From January 1, 2019, a new certification program called "SABER" was launched in Saudi Arabia; this program will replace the current SASO certification program. From January 15, 2020, SABER certification will completely replace the old SASO certification, and all products must be SABER certified to clear customs smoothly.

Laboratory Qualification Query

You can check the laboratory through the SLS official website:

http://www.sls.gov.sa/Pages/en/Viewactivelaboratorieslist.aspx

References