SASO certification

SASO is the abbreviation for Saudi Arabian Standards Organization in English. SASO is responsible for developing national standards for all daily necessities and products, which also involve measurement systems, labeling, etc.

1、 Introduction to Certification

In fact, many of the SASO standards are based on the safety standards of relevant international organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Like many other countries, Saudi Arabia has added some unique items to its standards based on its own civil and industrial voltage, geographical and climatic environment, ethnic and religious customs, etc. In order to achieve the goal of protecting consumers, SASO standards are not only applicable to products imported from abroad, but also to products produced domestically in Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Saudi Arabia and SASO require all products covered by SASO certification standards to have SASO certification certificates upon entry into Saudi customs. Products without SASO certificates will be refused entry by Saudi port customs.

2、 Product Scope

SASO certification includes all products used by adults and children in residential, office or entertainment venues, all motor vehicles and parts, and construction products. These products can be mainly divided into the following categories:

Air conditioning SASO, battery SASO, cosmetics SASO, toy SASO, compressor SASO, fan SASO, household appliance SASO, wire and cable SASO, fax machine SASO, lighting SASO, optical power SASO, elevator SASO, generator SASO, office electronic equipment SASO, personal computer SASO, power SASO, automotive parts SASO, ceramic SASO, audio SASO, amplifier SASO, conference system SASO, and mixer SASO

Each city in Saudi Arabia adopts lower voltage, divided into 127V and 220V (Riyadh: 235V), both at 60Hz; But in Mecca and industrial areas, higher voltages are used, including 220 V and 380 V, also at 60 Hz Generally, both households and offices are equipped with 110 volt (i.e. 127 volt) and 220 volt electrical sockets for electrical products of different voltages. Generally speaking, air conditioners and washing machines use 220 volt sockets, while small household appliances use 110 volt sockets

SASO products can be mainly divided into the following categories:

Air conditioning, refrigeration equipment, heating equipment

Battery

Cosmetics

Toys

Compressor and fan

Household electronic and electrical equipment

Household pressure cooker

Wire and cable

fax machine

Household switches and circuit breakers

Luminaires and lighting equipment

Elevator and lifting system

engine

Office electronic and electrical equipment

personal computer

Power Supply

Telephone

Motor vehicles and spare parts

The main procedures for SASO certification of construction products, coatings, etc.: SASO fee standards and processing time. Inspection fee calculation method: FOB value is fixed for goods below 60000 USD. Charge: 1950RMB FOB value is 0.45% x FOB2 for goods between 60000 USD and 200'000 USD. Inspection fee: depending on the product. 3. Time: About 3 weeks

To obtain SASO certification and export products to Saudi Arabia, manufacturers need to take the following steps:

Apply to a consulting company, which will inform the enterprise of the product certification process based on the product category and in accordance with SASO requirements;

Enterprises submit product samples for testing in accordance with certification procedures, and some products (such as some motor vehicles and accessory products) require factory inspection;

After passing the product testing, the enterprise obtains the SASO certification certificate; If the product fails the test, the enterprise will receive a detailed explanation report

When products are exported to Saudi Arabia, a SASO certification certificate must be issued upon entry, and technical personnel from the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization will inspect the certificate; If a SASO certificate cannot be issued, the product will be refused entry or sampled to a 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 export enterprise.

3、 Certification form

1） Pre shipment Compliance Verification

This method is most suitable for exporters or manufacturers with very few shipments. Before each shipment, it is necessary to apply for pre shipment inspection (PSI) and pre shipment testing (PST). Both are qualified to obtain a CoC certificate.

2） Product Registration

This method is suitable for the vast majority of customers, and its advantage is that although each shipment inspection (PSI) is necessary, each batch of goods does not need to undergo pre shipment testing (PST). Customers can obtain a Registration Qualification Certificate Statement for Registration (SfR) by submitting a compliance statement, providing test reports that meet the import country and relevant international or domestic standards, and stating that the product meets the basic requirements and country differences of the import country.

3） Type Approval Licensing

This method not only saves inspection or testing fees before each shipment, simplifies repetitive application procedures, but also ensures delivery time. Therefore, it is favored by some large companies that prioritize quality and reputation due to frequent or large-scale shipments. Exporters or manufacturers can only obtain a Statement for License (SfL) certificate if their products fully comply with the mandatory standards of the importing and exporting countries. The certificate is valid for one year and can be renewed after submitting an updated factory inspection report, paying an annual fee, and being reviewed by RLC before its expiration. Products that have obtained SfL certificates no longer require pre shipment inspection (PSI) for each batch, but are reduced to a few spot checks per year (usually 2-3 times per year, depending on the product condition).

4、 Precautions

*The testing is conducted based on SASO/PAI standards or IEC standards+national differences, and the requirements of SASO/PAI standards need to be considered separately. Some clauses have significant differences. The rated voltage in Saudi Arabia is 220V, 50/60Hz (with BS plugs) or 127V, 60Hz (with UL plugs) (a separate prototype needs to be provided for testing); The voltage in Kuwait is 240V, 50Hz (with BS plug).

*Products prohibited from exporting to Saudi Arabia include weapons, alcohol, sedatives, pork, pornography, brewing equipment, fireworks, Christmas trees, masks, video phones, toys depicting animals or people, statues, etc.

*Electrical products of Class 0 and Class I are not allowed. Tropical temperature:+45 ℃. The label is in Arabic; The plug must comply with SASO 2203/2003 (220V) and SASO 2204/2003 (127V);

*Type approval requires factory inspection;

*For electrical products exported to Saudi Arabia, the rated frequency marked on the product must include 60Hz;

*The user manual for air conditioners exported to Saudi Arabia must be in Arabic and English; Audio and video products, user manuals must be in Arabic;

The original safety regulations and EMC reports must be reports issued by recognized laboratories within 2-3 years.