Overview
Brake pads and linings are a friction material product: their entire job is to convert motion into heat reliably, shipment after shipment, panic stop after panic stop. That makes their certification different from most other spare parts — the key evidence is not dimensional fit but friction-coefficient performance across a temperature range, fade and recovery behaviour under repeated hard braking, and wear rate, together with a clear and honest asbestos-free declaration, since asbestos-containing friction material is restricted or banned in most markets including Saudi Arabia.
Brake pads and linings fall under the SABER conformity scheme. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the brake-pad range, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. Brake system hardware — calipers, discs and drums — is covered under our wider Car Spare Parts page; this page covers the friction material itself.
Product Types
The SABER route and brake-pad requirements apply across friction products including:
- Disc brake pads (passenger car and light commercial)
- Drum brake shoes and linings
- Commercial vehicle and truck brake linings
- Semi-metallic, ceramic and organic (NAO) friction compounds
- Aftermarket / replacement brake-pad sets
- Brake shims, anti-rattle clips and fitting kits (where sold as part of the pad set)
The scope of your certificate is defined from the friction-material composition, vehicle application and HS code. We structure the certificate so the brake pads you actually export are covered.
HS Codes
Brake pads and linings are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the exact product.
- 6813.20 — Friction material and articles thereof, containing asbestos
- 6813.81 — Brake linings and pads, not containing asbestos, based on mineral substances
- 6813.89 — Other friction material and articles, not containing asbestos
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Brake pads are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the applicable Technical Regulation and friction-material standard
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Friction-performance (dynamometer) test evidence covering coefficient of friction, fade and recovery
- A written asbestos-free declaration and composition data supporting it
- Wear-rate results appropriate to the vehicle application
- Correct Arabic/English labelling — vehicle fitment, batch and manufacturer identification
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Brake pads are assessed under the applicable Saudi/GCC Technical Regulation for automotive friction material, built around friction performance, wear and the asbestos-free requirement. The regulation most commonly referenced for replacement brake linings internationally is UN ECE Regulation No. 90, which sets out the dynamometer test programme and approval marking used to show a replacement pad performs equivalently to the original part. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the product type and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Brake pads are typically evaluated against the applicable ECE / ISO / SAE standards for friction material. Typical verification includes:
- UN ECE R90 — replacement brake lining assemblies (dynamometer programme and approval marking)
- Coefficient-of-friction testing across a defined temperature range
- Fade and recovery testing under repeated hard braking
- Wear-rate and compressibility testing
- Asbestos-free composition verification
- Shear-strength testing of the friction material to the backing plate
Existing accredited dynamometer reports may be accepted where they cover the correct compound and vehicle application. We review your reports before arranging any new product testing, so you only test what is genuinely missing.
Documents Required
A typical brake-pad application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the brake pads / linings
- Technical datasheet showing compound, vehicle application and fitment reference
- Dynamometer friction-performance test report (ECE R90 or equivalent)
- Asbestos-free declaration and supporting composition data
- Photographs of the label showing fitment, batch and manufacturer identification
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the brake-pad range against the applicable standards. In outline:
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Classification and scope
We confirm the compound, vehicle application, HS code and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
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Report review
We check whether your dynamometer friction reports can be reused and confirm the asbestos-free declaration matches the actual composition.
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Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, labelling and test evidence against the regulation.
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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:
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Shipment details submitted
The invoice, packing list and the linked PCoC are submitted for the specific consignment.
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Verification
The shipment is verified against the valid PCoC, the declared compound and application are confirmed, and the SCoC fee is settled on the platform.
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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 valid dynamometer friction-performance reports already exist for your exact compound. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing dynamometer reports — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — dynamometer programme turnaround is the main driver, usually a few weeks depending on scope
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place
Common Problems
- No dynamometer friction-performance report — only a fitment or dimensional check submitted
- Asbestos-free declaration not supported by actual composition data
- Test report on file does not cover the exact compound being shipped
- Missing fitment, batch or manufacturer marking on the pad itself
- Confusing brake pads (friction material, HS 6813) with brake system hardware (HS 8708)
- HS code declared on the invoice not matching the product actually shipped
We check these points up front — especially friction-performance evidence and the asbestos-free declaration — so shipments are not held at customs for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What test evidence actually proves a brake pad is safe?
A dynamometer friction-performance report showing coefficient of friction across a temperature range, plus fade and recovery under repeated hard braking, is the core evidence. A dimensional or fitment check alone does not prove the pad performs safely under real braking loads, so it is not accepted on its own.
Why is the asbestos-free declaration so important?
Asbestos-containing friction material is restricted or prohibited in most markets, including Saudi Arabia, because of the health risk from friction dust. A written asbestos-free declaration backed by actual composition data is checked alongside the friction-performance report, and the wrong HS code (declaring asbestos-free product under the asbestos heading, or vice versa) is a common reason a shipment is queried.
What is UN ECE R90 and does my product need it?
UN ECE Regulation No. 90 is the internationally recognised approval route for replacement brake linings — it defines the dynamometer test programme and the approval marking that shows a replacement pad performs equivalently to the original part. We confirm whether ECE R90 evidence (or an equivalent accepted route) applies to your specific product and market during assessment.
How much does SABER certification for brake pads cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid dynamometer friction-performance reports already exist for your exact compound. With acceptable evidence a PCoC can often be arranged within a few working days; if fresh testing is required the dynamometer programme turnaround is the main variable. Send your brake-pad details and reports for a specific quote and timeline at no cost. See our SABER certificate cost guide.
How long is the PCoC valid, and do I need a new SCoC for every shipment?
A Product Certificate of Conformity is typically valid for one year, so one PCoC can cover multiple shipments of the same brake-pad compound during that period. A Shipment Certificate of Conformity is issued per consignment — every individual shipment needs its own SCoC before it can clear Saudi customs.
Which products and HS codes does this cover?
The same SABER route applies across disc brake pads, drum brake shoes and linings, for passenger, light-commercial and commercial vehicles — generally classified under HS heading 6813.81 (asbestos-free) or 6813.20 (containing asbestos, restricted). Brake system hardware such as calipers, discs and drums is covered separately under our Car Spare Parts page. We confirm the correct classification for your exact product during assessment.
Get Your Brake Pads Certified
Send us your friction compound, vehicle application, HS code and any existing dynamometer test reports. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation, testing and asbestos-free documentation, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.