SASO certification

SASO certification

What is SASO certification?

In fact, many of the SASO standards are related International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and other international organizations established on the basis of safety standards. Like many other countries, Saudi Arabia adds some unique items to the standard according to its own country’s civil and industrial voltage, geographic and climatic environment, ethnic and religious habits, etc. In order to achieve the purpose of protecting consumers, the SASO standard is not only for products imported from abroad, but also for products in Saudi Arabia domestically produced products are also applicable.

The necessity of SASO certification

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

For products exported to Saudi Arabia, SASO certification certificates must be issued when the goods enter customs. The technical personnel of the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization will inspect the certificates; if the SASO certificate cannot be issued, the products will be refused entry or be sampled to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Saudi Arabia. The laboratory of the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization conducts the test. If the test fails, the product will be refused entry, and all costs will be borne by the exporting company.

SASO certified product range

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

Air conditioner SASO, battery SASO, cosmetics SASO, toy SASO, compressor SASO, fan SASO, household appliances SASO, wire and cable SASO, fax machine SASO, lamps SASO, optical power supply SASO, elevator SASO, generator SASO, office electronic and electrical equipment SASO, personal computer SASO, power supply SASO, auto parts SASO, ceramic SASO, audio SASO, amplifier SASO, conference system SASO, mixer SASO

Each city in Saudi Arabia uses a lower voltage, which is divided into 127 volts and 220 volts (235 volts in Riyadh), both of which are 60 Hz; but in Mecca and industrial areas use higher voltages, 220 volts and 380 volts, also 60 Hz. General households The office and the office are equipped with 110 volts (that is, 127 volts) and 220 volts for electrical appliances of different voltages. Generally speaking, 220 volts are used for air conditioners and washing machines, and 110 volts are used for small household appliances.

SASO certification application procedure

The following steps are required for manufacturers to obtain SASO certification and export products to Saudi Arabia:

Submit an application to the consulting company, and the consulting company will inform the company of the product certification procedures according to the product category and the requirements of SASO;

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

After the product passes the test, the company obtains the SASO certification; if the product fails the test, the company will get a detailed explanation report

SASO certification type

1. Pre-shipment Compliance Verification (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 test (PST). If both are qualified, a CoC certificate can be obtained.

2. Product Registration (Registration)

This method is suitable for most customers. Its advantage is that although each shipment inspection (PSI) is necessary, each batch of goods does not require pre-shipment testing (PST). Customers can obtain the Statement for Registration (SfR) by submitting a declaration of compliance and providing a test report that meets the importing country and relevant international or domestic standards, and affirming that the product has met the basic requirements and national differences of the importing country.

3. Type Approval Licensing

This method can not only save inspection fees or test fees before each shipment, simplify repeated application procedures, but also ensure delivery time. Therefore, some of the shipments are more frequent or larger in scale, and focus on quality and reputation. Favored by the company. The exporter or manufacturer's products can only obtain the Statement for Licence (SfL) certificate if they fully comply with the mandatory standards of the importing and exporting country. The certificate is valid for one year, and the renewal of the factory inspection report and annual fee must be submitted before expiration and can be renewed after RLC review. The products that have obtained the SfL certificate no longer need to undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI) for each batch, but are reduced to a few random inspections a year (usually 2-3 times/year, depending on the product status).

The test is carried out according to SASO/PAI standard or IEC standard + national differences, and SASO/PAI standard requirements need to be considered separately. Some clauses are quite different. The rated voltage of Saudi Arabia is 220V, 50/60Hz (with BS plug) or 127V, 60Hz ( Equipped with UL plug) (a sample is required for testing); Kuwait voltage is 240V, 50Hz (with BS plug).

Type certification requires factory inspection;

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

User manuals for air conditioners exported to Saudi Arabia must be in Arabic and English; for audio and video products, user manuals must be in Arabic;

The original safety and EMC report must be a report issued by an accredited laboratory within 2-3 years.