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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Access the largest GCC economy with SABER conformity assessment, SFDA approvals, and end-to-end regulatory compliance aligned with Vision 2030.

35.3M
Population
$1.07T
GDP (2023)
#1
GCC Economy

Key Requirements Overview

SABER Certification

Mandatory for most consumer products

SFDA Registration

Food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics

CST Type Approval

Telecommunications and IT equipment

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Saudi Arabia The Middle East's largest economy

Saudi Arabia represents the largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region. With its Vision 2030 transformation program, the Kingdom is diversifying its economy and modernizing its regulatory framework to attract foreign investment and ensure product safety.

Market Advantages

Largest consumer market in the GCC region
Growing middle class with high purchasing power
Strategic location between Asia, Africa, and Europe
Digitalized compliance through SABER platform

Regulatory Framework

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) oversees product safety and quality standards.

The SABER platform, launched in 2019, has digitalized the entire conformity assessment process, making it mandatory for most consumer products entering the Kingdom.

Quick Facts

Official Language
Arabic (English widely used)
Currency
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Main Regulatory Body
SASO
Key Platforms
SABER, SFDA (eCosma / MDMA), CST (formerly CITC)

Need Expert Guidance?

Our Saudi compliance experts can help you navigate SABER and get to market efficiently and compliantly.

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Disclaimer on Certification Impartiality

Document review, decision, and certificate issuance, are conducted by SANTIQ Certification Ltd, an accredited body within the SANTIQ Group. You may also use any other notified Certification Body. Certification decision is impartial, and is not influenced in any way by usage of the SANTIQ Platform. Clients may submit a certification request directly to the Certification Body without the use of SANTIQ Platform. Usage of SANTIQ Platform will not guarantee approval, nor will it influence certification decision in any way. SANTIQ Certification Ltd is operationally separate from SANTIQ Platform Ltd, and makes its own impartial decisions on conformity. You may view the Certification Body's website directly for full policies.

Regulations & Platforms

Key Saudi regulations & platforms

Understanding the regulatory landscape for market entry and compliance

SABER Platform

Saudi Product Safety Program — the online system used to issue product and shipment conformity certificates.

Key Requirements:
• PCoC: Product Certificate (typically 1-year)
• SCoC: Required for each shipment
• Tests: Recent, traceable reports per TR
• Customs: Auto-verified via FASAH

SFDA

Saudi Food & Drug Authority regulates food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics for safety and quality. Cosmetics require facility notification and product listing via eCosma; medical devices require SFDA MDMA registration.

Covers:
  • • Food products & supplements
  • • Pharmaceuticals
  • • Medical devices (SFDA MDMA)
  • • Cosmetics & personal care

CST Type Approval

Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) approval for telecom and IT equipment.

Required for:
  • • Mobile phones & tablets
  • • WiFi & Bluetooth devices
  • • Radio equipment
  • • IoT devices

IECEE Recognition

Saudi Arabia operates the SASO IECEE Recognition Certificate program for designated electrical/electronic products based on CB reports.

Benefits:
  • • Acceptance of CB Test Certificates/Reports
  • • 1 or 3 year certificate validity options
  • • Faster market access for designated categories
  • • Reduced duplicate testing

Energy Efficiency

Saudi Energy Efficiency Program (SEEP) requires mandatory energy labelling and performance compliance for covered products.

Applies to:
  • • Air conditioners
  • • Refrigerators
  • • Washing machines
  • • LED lighting

Water Efficiency

Water Efficiency Label (WEL) is mandatory for covered water-using products under SASO's Water Rationalization Tools regulation.

Products covered:
  • • Faucets & showerheads
  • • Toilets/urinals & flush tanks
  • • Washing machines & dishwashers
  • • Flow regulators / mixers
Product Regulations

Find your product's regulations

Instantly discover which SASO requirements apply to your product

Technical Regulations

Regulations by product category

Explore SASO technical regulations organized by product type

Textile Products

Technical Regulation of Textile Products

Requirements for clothing, carpets, and fabric materials including labeling standards

Learn more

Shoes and Accessories

Technical Regulation for Shoes and Accessories

Includes shoes and their accessories, except those made of leather.

Learn more

Leather Products

Technical Regulation for Leather Products

Includes shoes, bags, wallets, and other products made from leather.

Learn more

Packaging, Bags, and Suitcases

Technical Regulation for Packaging (including bags)

Includes packaging products, bags and suitcases.

Learn more

Low Voltage Electricals

Technical Regulation for Low Voltage Electrical Equipment and Appliances

Includes a wide range of domestic electrical equipment.

Learn more

Telecommunications Devices

Technical Regulation for Telecommunications Devices

Includes telephone and networking equipment.

Learn more

Electric Self-Balancing Boards & Scooters

Technical Regulation for Electric Self-Balancing Boards (Scooter)

Includes self balancing boards and electric scooters.

Learn more

Food Contact Products

Technical Regulation for Food Safety in Tools and Appliances Used In The Kitchen

Includes all food contact products.

Learn more

Detergents

Technical Regulation For Detergents

Includes all detergents for washing etc.

Learn more

Adhesives and Glues

Technical Regulation for Adhesive Materials, Tapes, Glue and Related Products

Includes all glue, tape, and adhesive-based products.

Learn more

Ornaments and Accessories

Technical Regulation for Ornaments and Accessories

Includes wristwatches, jewellery, hair combs, and other accessories.

Learn more

Building Materials: Insulation/Cladding

Technical Regulation for Building Materials Part 2: Insulation and Building Cladding Materials

Insulation and cladding materials including gypsum, foam, and metal panels.

Learn more

Building Materials: Hydraulic Connections

Technical Regulation for Building Materials Part 3: Hydraulic Connections and Related Products

Cement, concrete, mortar, and hydraulic connection products.

Learn more

Doors, Windows, and Accessories

Technical Regulation for Doors, Windows and their Accessories

Doors, windows, and building hardware.

Learn more

Paints (Pigments) and Varnishes

Technical Regulation for Paints (Pigments) and Varnishes

Includes all paint and varnish products.

Learn more

Paper and Cardboard

Technical Regulation for Paper and Cardboard

Includes books, paper products, and cardboard.

Learn more

Personal Protective Equipment

Technical Regulation for Personal Protective Equipment

Includes helmets, diving gear, safety goggles, and other PPE products.

Learn more

Machinery: Industrial Machinery

Technical Regulation for Machinery

Food and drink preparation, sorting, printing, and industrial machines.

Learn more

Machinery (Part 1): Portable Machines

Technical Regulation for Machinery Safety – Part 1: Portable and/or Hand-oriented Machines

Portable and hand-oriented machines.

Learn more

Simple Pressure Vessels

Technical Regulation for Simple Pressure Vessels

Welded vessels and vessel fittings.

Learn more

Some products are not regulated by SASO, but still require a SABER certificate. Learn more about free-trade products

Compliance Journey

Your Saudi compliance process

Follow these steps to ensure your products meet all Saudi requirements

1

Register on SABER Platform

Create an account on the SABER platform as a manufacturer or importer. Importers (KSA CR holders) obtain SCoCs. Manufacturers/suppliers support PCoC applications.

Registration requirements:

  • • Commercial Registration (CR) for Saudi entities
  • • Authorized Representative (KSA) for foreign manufacturers, where applicable
  • • Company details and product categories
2

Obtain Test Reports

Get your products tested according to relevant Saudi or international standards at accredited laboratories.

Accepted Labs

  • • SASO-accepted labs (per TR)
  • • ILAC MRA laboratories (traceable to applicable standards)
  • • CB Testing Laboratories (for SIRC-designated products)

Test Standards

  • • SASO standards
  • • GSO (Gulf) standards
  • • IEC/ISO standards
3

Apply for Product Certificate

Submit your application through SABER with test reports and technical documentation for Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) issuance.

Required documents:

  • • Valid test reports (recency per TR; typically ≤3 years)
  • • Product photos and specifications
  • • Risk assessment (completed by the supplier)
  • • Arabic labels and user manual

Obtain Shipment Certificate

For each shipment, apply for a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) on SABER using your valid Product Certificate.

For each shipment:

  • • Link to valid Product Certificate(s) (PCoC)
  • • Upload commercial invoice
  • • Provide shipment details
  • • SCoC is electronically verified via FASAH at customs

Simplify Your Saudi Compliance Journey

Our platform automates SABER submissions, connects you with accredited labs, and manages your certificates in one place.

Documentation

Required documentation for SABER

Essential documents needed for product and shipment certificates

Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) Documents

Required for initial product registration in SABER:

  • Test Reports
    From accredited/accepted lab; recency per TR (typically ≤3 years)
  • Product Photos
    All sides, labels, and model/serial numbers
  • Arabic Documentation
    Labels, warnings, and user manual
  • Risk Assessment
    Completed by the supplier

Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) Documents

Required for each shipment to Saudi Arabia:

  • Valid Product Certificate(s) (PCoC)
    Must be valid and linked in SABER
  • Commercial Invoice
    Showing product details and values

Special Product Requirements

Food Products:

  • • Halal certificate from a SFDA-recognized body (where applicable)
  • • Health certificate from country of origin
  • • Certificate of Free Sale

Medical Devices:

  • • SFDA MDMA registration
  • • CE/FDA as supportive evidence
  • • Clinical evaluation (per device class)
Stay Updated

Recent regulatory updates

Latest changes and important announcements from Saudi regulators

Enhancement July 2020

SABER Integrated with FASAH for Customs

SABER has been integrated with the Saudi Customs FASAH platform since July 2020. SCoCs are verified electronically and printing is not required, accelerating clearance at all entry points.

What the integration means for importers
Update December 2024

Updated Efficiency Requirements for Appliances

SASO updated energy efficiency requirements (e.g., refrigerators and washing machines) with revised indices and program parameters. Check your model's latest EEL registration before shipment.

See updated efficiency guidance
Name Change December 2022

CITC Renamed to CST

Saudi Arabia's telecommunications regulator is now the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST). Type approval is still commonly referred to as 'CITC approval' in industry materials.

CST Type Approval overview

Stay Updated on Saudi Arabia Regulations

Get monthly updates on regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and industry insights.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Saudi Arabia market access and SABER certification

Do I need a Saudi company to import products?

Yes. Imports must be made by a Saudi-registered entity (CR holder). Foreign manufacturers typically work with a local importer/distributor who obtains SCoCs in SABER. You may alternatively establish a Saudi branch or subsidiary.

How long is a SABER Product Certificate valid?

PCoCs are typically valid for 1 year and renewable. Validity and surveillance depend on the relevant Technical Regulation and product risk.

Can I use CE mark test reports for SABER?

SABER accepts test reports from ILAC MRA labs; CE reports can be used if they demonstrate compliance to the applicable Saudi/GSO/IEC standards. For designated electrical categories, SIRC (IECEE Recognition) based on CB reports is widely accepted.

What products are exempt from SABER?

Goods regulated by other authorities (e.g., SFDA-regulated food/drugs/medical devices) are processed through those authorities' systems rather than SABER. Certain raw materials and manufacturing components may also be out of scope.

Ready to Enter the Saudi Market?

Get expert guidance on SABER registration, connect with accredited labs, and streamline your Saudi compliance process.

  • SABER certification and registration
  • Testing with accredited laboratories
  • Customs clearance support
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