SABER Certificate for Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP)

Overview

An aluminium composite panel (ACP, also called ACM — aluminium composite material) is a sandwich: two thin aluminium skins, usually about 0.5 mm each, bonded to a lightweight core 3 mm to 6 mm thick. Almost everything about how the panel behaves in a fire — and therefore whether it is accepted for use on a building in Saudi Arabia — comes from what that core is made of. A standard polyethylene (PE) core is combustible; a fire-retardant (FR) core is a mineral-filled polymer; an A2 core is largely mineral and rated non-combustible. The single most important piece of evidence for an ACP is its reaction-to-fire classification to EN 13501-1, measured on the exact panel construction — skin, core, coating and thickness — not a statement on a brochure.

ACP cladding falls under the SABER conformity scheme within Saudi Arabia's Technical Regulation for Building Materials (the cladding and facade product group). A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the panel range and fire grade, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. Plain aluminium sheet, coil and extruded sections are covered on our Aluminium Products page, and the wider facade rules on our Building Materials page.

Product Types

The SABER route and the fire-classification requirement apply across the panel family, including:

Standard polyethylene (PE) core panels — for interior and limited low-rise use only
Fire-retardant (FR / B1) core panels — mineral-filled polymer core, typically classified B-s1,d0
Non-combustible A2 core panels (A2-s1,d0) — for high-rise and high-risk facades
Aluminium honeycomb composite panels
Fascia, soffit, column-cladding and signage panels
Solid aluminium and corrugated-core alternatives supplied as cladding panels
Zinc, copper, titanium and stainless composite panels (metal skins other than aluminium)
Nano-coated, PVDF, FEVE and spectra / mirror finish panels

The scope of your certificate is defined from the core type and fire grade, the skin metal and thickness, the coating system, the panel thickness and the HS code, so the panel range you actually export is covered.

HS Codes

Aluminium composite panels are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the exact product and its construction.

7606.11 / 7606.12 — Aluminium plates, sheets and strip, rectangular, of a thickness exceeding 0.2 mm (not alloyed / alloyed) — the heading most often applied to ACP sheet
7610.90 — Aluminium structures and parts of structures; plates, rods, profiles prepared for use in structures (cut-to-size / fabricated cladding panels)
7616.99 — Other articles of aluminium (fabricated panel assemblies with fixings)
3920.10 — Plates, sheets, film of polymers of ethylene (declared against the core in some tariff readings)

ACP classification is not always clear-cut — the same panel can be presented as an aluminium sheet (7606), as prepared structural cladding (7610) or against its polymer core (3920), and customs may query a declaration that does not match the product. What does not change is the requirement: the panel needs an EN 13501-1 fire classification whichever heading applies. We confirm the correct code and requirements during assessment. See our HS Code Guide Full Forms Explained Check a Certificate for how classification works.

Applicable Saudi Requirements

ACP cladding is certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:

A valid PCoC issued against the applicable cladding-panel and fire-classification standards
An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
EN 13501-1 reaction-to-fire classification report (for example A2-s1,d0 or B-s1,d0) for the exact panel construction
Supporting fire test data — non-combustibility (EN ISO 1182), gross calorific value (EN ISO 1716) and the single burning item test (EN 13823) as applicable to the class claimed
Core identification — PE, FR / mineral-filled or A2 — with the mineral (ATH / MDH) content stated for FR and A2 cores
Peel / bond-strength test between skin and core, before and after heat ageing
Coil-coating data — dry-film thickness, adhesion, flexibility (T-bend), hardness, gloss and salt-spray / weathering resistance
Panel dimensional and flatness tolerance, skin-alloy and thickness verification
Product marking identifying the manufacturer, panel type, fire grade, core and batch
A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment

Technical Regulation

Aluminium composite panels are assessed principally under Saudi Arabia's Technical Regulation for Building Materials (the cladding and facade product group), together with the fire-classification standard and the applicable panel-performance standard. The core references are EN 13501-1 (reaction-to-fire classification of construction products) with its test methods EN ISO 1182 (non-combustibility), EN ISO 1716 (gross calorific potential) and EN 13823 (single burning item); EN 15088 (aluminium structural products for construction — CE / performance route); the coil-coating methods of EN 1396 / ECCA and, for architectural coatings, AAMA 2604 / 2605; and the composite-panel bond and property methods (drum-peel ASTM D1781, lap-shear ASTM D1002 / EN 1465). Where the panels form part of a rain-screen or curtain-wall assembly, a large-scale facade fire test (for example BS 8414 with the BR 135 pass criteria, or NFPA 285) may be required for the system in addition to the panel classification. The Saudi Building Code (SBC 201 / SBC 801) sets the fire-performance limits for external walls by building height and occupancy. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.

The core is where imported ACP most often fails to match its paperwork. A panel offered as "fire-rated" may hold only a B-s1,d0 FR classification, when the building — because of its height or use — needs a non-combustible A2-s1,d0 panel. The classification report must name the actual core and coating and the thickness tested. We confirm the fire grade your project requires and the evidence for it before you ship.

Testing / Standards

ACP panels are typically evaluated against the fire-classification standard and the panel-performance standard. Typical testing includes:

Reaction-to-fire classification to EN 13501-1 (Euroclass A1, A2, B, C with smoke "s" and droplet "d" ratings)
Non-combustibility test (EN ISO 1182) for A1 / A2 claims
Gross calorific value / heat of combustion (EN ISO 1716)
Single burning item test (EN 13823) — FIGRA, THR and lateral flame spread
Peel strength (drum peel ASTM D1781) and lap-shear of the skin-to-core bond, dry and after heat ageing / humidity
Coating dry-film thickness, specular gloss, pencil hardness and T-bend flexibility
Cross-hatch and pull-off adhesion of the coating
Neutral salt-spray (EN ISO 9227), humidity and accelerated weathering (QUV) / Florida exposure for architectural coatings
Panel flexural strength, thermal bow and coefficient of thermal expansion
Skin-alloy identification, skin and total-panel thickness, flatness and squareness

Existing accredited test reports and fire classifications may be accepted where they cover the exact panel construction, core and coating and are within validity. We review your reports before arranging any new product testing, so you only test what is genuinely missing.

Documents Required

A typical ACP application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.

Commercial invoice and packing list, with panel type and batch numbers
HS code of the panel range
Technical datasheet stating skin alloy and thickness, core type and fire grade, coating system and panel thickness
EN 13501-1 reaction-to-fire classification report
Supporting fire test reports (EN ISO 1182 / EN ISO 1716 / EN 13823)
Core specification with mineral (ATH / MDH) content for FR and A2 panels
Peel / bond-strength test report
Coating test report (adhesion, T-bend, hardness, salt-spray, weathering)
Large-scale facade test report (BS 8414 / NFPA 285) where a system claim is made
Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
Saudi importer registration details

PCoC Process

The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the panel range and fire grade against the applicable standards. In outline:

Classification and scope
We confirm the panel type, core and fire grade, skin metal and thickness, coating system, panel thickness, HS code and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
Report review
We check the EN 13501-1 classification and its supporting fire tests against the panel construction actually supplied, and review the bond and coating reports.
Verification testing
An accredited laboratory carries out fire classification, bond-strength and coating testing where the existing evidence is not sufficient or does not match the product.
Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, marking and test evidence against the regulation.
PCoC issued
Once the review is satisfied, the PCoC is issued on the SABER platform. It is typically valid for one year.

SCoC Process

A Shipment Certificate of Conformity is issued per consignment and is what customs checks at the border. In outline:

Shipment details submitted
The invoice, packing list with panel types and batch numbers and the linked PCoC are submitted for the specific consignment.
Verification
The shipment is verified against the valid PCoC, the panels are checked against the declared core, fire grade and coating, and the SCoC fee is settled on the platform.
SCoC issued
The SCoC is issued for that shipment, allowing it to clear Saudi customs. Each new shipment needs its own SCoC.

Certification Timeline

The main variable is whether a current EN 13501-1 classification exists for your exact panel construction. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.

With a valid fire classification and complete bond and coating reports — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
When fresh fire classification is required — the EN 13823 / EN ISO 1182 test programme and its classification report is the longest single variable, usually some weeks
A large-scale facade test (BS 8414 / NFPA 285), where needed for a system claim, adds significant lead time and cost and is planned separately
SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place

Common Problems

A PE-core panel offered for an external facade where only FR or A2 is permitted
An FR (B-s1,d0) panel supplied where the building height or occupancy requires non-combustible A2-s1,d0
A fire classification report for a different core, coating or panel thickness than the product shipped
"Fire-rated" claimed on the datasheet with no EN 13501-1 classification or supporting test reports
Mineral content of the FR / A2 core not stated or below the level that supports the class
No peel / bond-strength data, or bond failing after heat ageing (delamination risk in Saudi roof and wall temperatures)
Architectural PVDF finish claimed with only polyester-grade coating test data
System / facade fire performance assumed from the panel classification alone, with no BS 8414 or NFPA 285 test

We check these points up front — especially the core type and the match between the fire classification and the panel supplied — so consignments are not held at customs, and panels are not rejected on site, for avoidable reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between PE, FR and A2 core ACP?

A PE core is solid polyethylene — combustible, and generally restricted to interior use or low-rise. An FR core is a polymer heavily filled with mineral (usually around 70% ATH or MDH), typically classified B-s1,d0. An A2 core is largely mineral with a small polymer binder and is classified A2-s1,d0 — rated non-combustible and required for most high-rise and high-risk facades in Saudi Arabia.

What fire evidence does an aluminium composite panel need for SABER?

The key document is a reaction-to-fire classification report to EN 13501-1 for the exact panel — core, coating and thickness — supported by the underlying test reports (EN ISO 1182 non-combustibility and EN ISO 1716 calorific value for A1 / A2 claims, and EN 13823 single burning item for the B / C range). A general statement that the panel is "fire retardant" is not sufficient.

Is the panel classification the same as passing a facade fire test?

No. EN 13501-1 classifies the panel as a product. A rain-screen or curtain-wall assembly — panel, cavity, insulation, membrane, brackets and cavity barriers — can behave differently in a fire, so a large-scale test such as BS 8414 (assessed to BR 135) or NFPA 285 may be required for the whole system. That is a separate test from the panel certificate.

Is this the same as the Aluminium Products certificate?

No. Plain aluminium sheet, coil, foil, extruded profiles and non-ferrous metal goods are covered on our Aluminium Products page, which is assessed mainly on alloy, temper and mechanical properties. This page is for the composite panel — two metal skins bonded to a core — where the core's fire behaviour and the bond strength are the deciding factors.

How much does SABER certification for ACP cost and how long does it take?

It depends mainly on whether a valid EN 13501-1 classification already exists for your exact panel. When it does, a PCoC can often be arranged within a few working days. A fresh fire classification programme takes some weeks, and a large-scale facade test adds more. Send your panel construction, core type and existing reports for a specific quote and timeline at no cost. See our SABER certificate cost guide.

Which products and HS codes does this cover?

The same SABER route applies across PE, FR and A2 core panels, honeycomb composite panels, fascia and column cladding and metal-skin composites — generally classified under HS 7606.11 / 7606.12 as aluminium sheet, HS 7610.90 as prepared structural cladding, or HS 7616.99 as other aluminium articles. We confirm the correct classification for your exact product during assessment.

Get Your Aluminium Composite Panels Certified

Send us your panel construction — skin alloy and thickness, core type and fire grade, coating system and panel thickness — the HS code and any fire classification, bond and coating test reports you hold. We will confirm the applicable cladding-panel and fire-classification standards, the fire grade your Saudi projects require, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.

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SABER Certificate for Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) in Saudi Arabia