Effective October 1, 2026, all paint and varnish products sold in the Saudi market must obtain an “Environmental Performance Efficiency Label”; otherwise, they will be ineligible for customs clearance or sale.
This policy was introduced by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and serves as a mandatory prerequisite for market entry.
Scope and Applicability
- Product Scope: Applies to paints and varnishes used in residential, commercial, and public facilities, covering all stages of the supply chain within Saudi Arabia.
- Legal Basis: Products listed under the Technical Regulation for Paints and Varnishes are subject to these controls.
Core Compliance Requirements
- Mandatory Labeling: From October 1, products lacking the Environmental Performance Efficiency Label cannot obtain a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) via the SABER platform, directly resulting in an inability to clear customs.
- Application Platform: Manufacturers and suppliers must submit applications through SASO’s Maneh platform.
- Management System Requirement: Manufacturers must possess a valid environmental management system; holding ISO 14001 certification is deemed to satisfy this requirement.
Key Timeline
- Voluntary Application Phase: Opened in April 2026 and is currently ongoing.
- Mandatory Implementation Date: October 1, 2026. Non-compliant products will face penalties and market access barriers after this date.
Companies exporting to Saudi Arabia are advised to promptly verify whether their products are on the controlled list and to initiate ISO 14001 certification—or confirm the validity of existing certification—while simultaneously submitting applications via the Maneh platform to avoid cargo delays caused by non-compliance.
