Saudi Arabia’s SASO issued a new notice on July 13, 2026: MOCI (Ministry of Industry and Mines) has added control requirements for building materials products.

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) issued a notice on July 13, 2026, updating once again the scope of controls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI). This update further expands the list of regulated products, following the previous batch added on June 18, 2026. Core Requirements of the New Regulation For all products included in the latest controlled list, when applying for a Shipment Certificate (SC) through the SABER platform, the following must be strictly observed: Prior approval from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM): Approval must be obtained in advance from the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM). Submission of the MOCI declaration document: An "Importer Declaration" document approved by the MOCI (i.e., the MOCI approval letter) must be submitted. Important Note: Without this approved MOCI declaration document, any authorized certification body will refuse to issue both the Product Certificate (PC) and the Shipment Certificate (SC). The MOCI approval letter is valid for 60 days and will expire after that period. The products and customs codes (HS) covered in this notice are shown in the table below: NO.HS CodeProduct Description172011000Pig iron (cast iron), non-alloy, with a phosphorus content not exceeding 0.5% by weight.272012000Pig iron (cast iron), non-alloy, containing more than 0.5% phosphorus by weight.372051000Granules, made of pig iron, mirror iron, iron, or steel.472061000Iron or steel ingots (cast ingots)572081000Hot-rolled flat rolled stock, in coil form, processed only by hot rolling, with raised textured surface patterns.672084000Hot-rolled...

Saber certification for electric fan products

According to the regulations of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), electric fans are mandatory certified products and must obtain certification through the SABER system to clear customs smoothly. Core Certification Pathway: GCC Certification + SABER Platform The certification path for electric fans is: first obtain GCC certification (G-Mark certificate), then use it as the basis to apply for PC and SC certificates in the SABER system. Simply put, GCC certification proves that the product complies with Gulf regional standards, while SABER certification is the electronic customs clearance permit required for imports into Saudi Arabia. Two Key Certificates The entire SABER certification process primarily involves the following two certificates, both of which are indispensable: Certificate TypeFull NamePurposeValidityPC CertificateProduct Certificate of ConformityCertifies that a specific model meets Saudi requirements; serves as the basis for the SC certificate.Typically 1 yearSC CertificateShipment Certificate of ConformityA unique customs clearance document for each shipment.Valid per shipment (one certificate per consignment) Detailed Application Process Prepare basic documentation: Product specification, circuit diagram, HS Code, samples, etc. Obtain CB test report: Conduct safety and EMC tests according to IEC standards in a CNAS-accredited laboratory to obtain a CB report. Apply for GCC certification: Submit the CB report and other documents to a GSO (Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization) authorized body to obtain the G-Mark certificate. This certificate is usually valid for 3 years. Apply for PC certificate: The local Saudi importer must register an account on the SABER system, upload documents including the GCC...

Air Conditioning Product SABER Certification – A Complete Guide

For air conditioning products exported to Saudi Arabia, SABER certification is mandatory. SABER is an online mandatory customs clearance system operated by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). Core Certification: Two Key Certificates The SABER system requires two types of certificates for each product: Certificate TypeFull NamePurposeKey FeaturesPC CertificateProduct Certificate of Conformity"Entry permit" for the Saudi marketIssued per product model, valid for one year (renewable), can be used for multiple shipmentsSC CertificateShipment Certificate of Conformity"Customs clearance permit" for each batchRequired for each individual shipment; must be obtained before the goods arrive at the Saudi port Important Note: All applications on the SABER platform must be submitted by a Saudi local company (the importer). Exporters cannot apply directly. Mandatory Requirements for Air Conditioning Products As air conditioners are high‑energy‑consumption appliances, additional prerequisites beyond the SABER platform are usually required: Energy Efficiency Registration & Labeling – Testing must be performed at a SASO‑approved laboratory, followed by registration and obtaining the energy efficiency label. G‑Mark Certification – Household air conditioners must obtain the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) conformity mark, i.e., the G‑Mark. RoHS Testing – Products must comply with Saudi Arabia's restrictions on hazardous substances. Key Standards and Important Updates (2026) Energy efficiency is a critical focus for AC certification, and significant updates came into force in 2026. All exporters must pay close attention. Energy Efficiency Standards by Capacity: Small ACs (rated cooling capacity ≤ 65,000 Btu/h): apply standard SASO 2663. Large / Commercial ACs: apply standard SASO 2874. 2026 Standard Update and Enforcement Timeline: Key...

What is the difference between SASO and saber?

SASO and SABER are two distinct but closely linked concepts within Saudi Arabia's product conformity certification system. In short, SASO is the "rule‑maker," while SABER is the "rule‑enforcer." SASO: The Standard‑Setter SASO stands for the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. Role: It is the official national standards body of Saudi Arabia, responsible for setting technical regulations, national standards, and quality requirements for all products entering the Saudi market. Functions: Its main functions include developing standards, accrediting and managing third‑party certification bodies, and supervising product quality in the market. Nature: You can think of it as Saudi Arabia's "national bureau of standards." SABER: The Certification Execution Platform SABER is a mandatory online certification network system launched by SASO. Role: It is the electronic platform developed by SASO to implement the "Saudi Product Safety Program" (SALEEM). Functions: All processes for product registration, certification applications, and certificate issuance for exports to Saudi Arabia must be completed on the SABER platform. Nature: You can view it as an "online service hall" for handling Saudi product certifications. Key Differences at a Glance AspectSASOSABERNatureOfficial body – a government organisationOnline system – a technical platformRoleSets the rules (standards, regulations)Executes the rules (registration, certification, issuance)ResponsibilitiesLegislation, supervision, accreditation of bodiesProduct registration, certificate applications and issuance, customs data integrationRelationshipOwner and manager of SABERTool and platform launched by SASO Key Points and Important Reminders Evolution of "SASO Certification": The traditional "SASO certification" is gradually being replaced by the new certification procedures carried out through the SABER platform. SABER can be seen as the digital upgrade of the SASO certification system. Core Certificates (PC...

Saudi Arabia’s SASO(MOCI) has issued a new notice: New products are added to the list of controlled products, effective June 18, 2026.

SASO Expands MOCI-Controlled Product List – New Requirements Effective 18 June 2026 According to the latest notification from the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), the list of products subject to MOCI (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) declaration requirements has been significantly expanded, adding 135 new product categories, effective 18 June 2026. Key Changes Under the New Rule The core of this update is that for products on the newly expanded list, importers must obtain an approved "Product Declaration Form" (i.e., the MOCI declaration) from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) before applying for a Shipment Certificate (SC) through the SABER platform. Impact on process: Without this approved MOCI declaration, the SABER platform will not approve the SC, and the goods will be unable to clear Saudi customs. HS code applicability: If the tariff code (HS) listed in the notification is 8 digits, the requirement applies to all sub‑categories under that code. Overview of Newly Added Controlled Product Categories The expanded list covers a wide range of industrial, construction, electrical, mechanical, and consumer goods, including: Paints and chemical products: e.g., acrylic or vinyl polymer paints, varnishes, acrylic polymers, polyurethane panels, etc. Building materials – this is a major focus of the expansion, including: Surface treatment agents: for exterior walls, floors, and other non‑refractory surfaces. Plastic and cement products: plastic products for construction, cement/concrete/artificial stone products. Steel products: various steel billets, hot‑rolled steel coils, etc. Textiles: e.g., carpets, rugs, and synthetic fibre dresses....

[Important Update]Saudi Arabia’s SASO ICT equipment standard upgraded to SASO 3114:2026

SASO 3114:2026 is a new Saudi Arabian standard for specific Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment. It was officially published on 19 May 2026 and replaces the previous standard SASO CITC GEN-002. Key Dates Transition Period: From now until 31 October 2026, certificates may still be issued under the old standard SASO CITC GEN‑002. Mandatory Enforcement: Starting 1 November 2026, all conformity certificates for the relevant products must comply with the new standard SASO 3114:2026. Expiry of Old Certificates: All Conformity Certificates (PC) and Shipment Certificates (SC) issued under the previous standard SASO CITC GEN‑002 will remain valid only until 31 March 2027, after which they will no longer be accepted. Product Scope The standard applies to the following six categories of ICT equipment: Mobile phones Tablets and mobile computers Routers and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) Other cellular devices Optical Network Terminals (ONT) and Home Access Gateways (HAG) Wi‑Fi distribution devices Main Technical Requirements The new standard sets out specific technical specifications for the above products, including the following examples: Emergency Communication: Smartphones must support the Advanced Mobile Location (AML) emergency communication service and shall be tested in accordance with ETSI TR 103 393. Alert Services: Mobile phones must support the Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) to receive relevant alerts. Network and Frequency Bands: Other cellular network devices must support LTE, LTE‑M, or NB‑IoT, and must support bands B3, B8, B20, and B28. Wi‑Fi Technology: Wi‑Fi distribution devices should support the Wi‑Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) standard.