Overview
Gypsum board is a reaction-to-fire product: the defining requirement is its fire classification to EN 13501-1 (typically A2-s1,d0 for a gypsum board), backed by the board type to EN 520 and the breaking-load / flexural strength of the sheet. That makes its certification different from the wider building and construction materials category and from insulation materials — the key evidence is an accredited reaction-to-fire classification report for the exact board composition and thickness, the EN 520 mechanical report, and, where a fire-rated wall or ceiling is claimed, a tested system.
Gypsum board falls under the SABER conformity scheme, within the Building Materials Technical Regulation. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the board range, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. Cement, blocks, bricks and general finishing materials are covered on our wider Building Materials page; this page covers gypsum board and plasterboard specifically.
Product Types
The SABER route and gypsum-board requirements apply across products including:
- Standard gypsum plasterboard (EN 520 Type A)
- Fire-resistant board with improved core cohesion at high temperature (Type F / DF)
- Moisture-resistant board with reduced water absorption (Type H1 / H2 / H3)
- Impact-resistant and high-density board (Type I / R / D)
- Acoustic and high-performance ceiling boards and tiles
- Gypsum wallboard for drylining and partition systems
- Gypsum plasters, jointing compounds and finishing plasters
- Gypsum blocks and gypsum-fibre boards
The scope of your certificate is defined from the board type, the thickness, the edge profile, the reaction-to-fire class and the HS code. We structure the certificate so the board range you actually export is covered.
HS Codes
Gypsum board is commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the exact product.
- 6809.11 — Boards, sheets, panels and tiles of plaster, faced or reinforced with paper or paperboard only
- 6809.19 — Other boards, sheets, panels and tiles of plaster (e.g. glass-fibre reinforced, ornamented)
- 6809.90 — Other articles of plaster or of compositions based on plaster (blocks, cornices)
- 3214.90 — Non-refractory surfacing preparations — jointing compounds and fillers
- 2520.20 — Plasters (calcined gypsum binders)
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Gypsum board is certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the Building Materials Technical Regulation and the applicable gypsum-board standard
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Reaction-to-fire classification report to EN 13501-1 for the exact board composition and thickness
- EN 520 (or ASTM C1396) board-type designation and mechanical test evidence — breaking load / flexural strength
- Water-absorption evidence where a moisture-resistant (Type H) board is declared
- High-temperature core-cohesion evidence where a fire-resistant (Type F) board is declared
- A tested fire-resistance system report (EN 1364-1 / EN 1365) where a fire-rated wall or ceiling rating is claimed
- Product marking stating the board type, reaction-to-fire class, standard, thickness and edge profile
- Declaration of Performance / Declaration of Conformity and a technical datasheet
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Gypsum board is assessed principally under Saudi Arabia's Technical Regulation for Building Materials (the gypsum and plaster product group) together with the applicable product standard. Internationally the board standard is EN 520 (gypsum plasterboards), with EN 14190 for boards processed from plasterboard, EN 15283 for fibre-reinforced gypsum boards, EN 13279 for gypsum binders and plasters, EN 13963 for jointing materials and EN 14195 for metal framing components, or the ASTM C1396 / ASTM C840 series. Reaction to fire is classified to EN 13501-1 using the EN ISO 1182 (non-combustibility), EN ISO 1716 (calorific value) and EN 13823 (single burning item) tests; fire resistance of partition and ceiling systems follows EN 1364-1 and EN 1365, or ASTM E119. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the board type and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Gypsum board is typically evaluated against the applicable board standard for fire behaviour, mechanical performance and moisture behaviour. Typical verification includes:
- Reaction to fire — EN 13501-1 classification (EN ISO 1182 / EN ISO 1716 / EN 13823)
- Breaking load in bending, transverse and longitudinal (EN 520)
- Flexural strength, hardness and core-to-paper bond
- Core cohesion at high temperature for Type F / DF boards
- Total and surface water absorption for Type H1 / H2 / H3 boards
- Water-vapour permeability and shear strength
- Deflection under humidity for ceiling boards
- Thermal conductivity and, for systems, airborne sound insulation
- Fire-resistance test of the wall / ceiling system (EN 1364-1 / EN 1365) where a rating is claimed
- Formaldehyde and dangerous-substance emissions where relevant
Existing accredited test reports and a Declaration of Performance may be accepted where they cover the exact board type, facing and thickness 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 gypsum-board application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the board range
- Technical datasheet stating the EN 520 board type, reaction-to-fire class, thickness and edge profile
- Reaction-to-fire classification report to EN 13501-1
- EN 520 mechanical test report — breaking load / flexural strength
- Water-absorption report for moisture-resistant (Type H) boards
- High-temperature core-cohesion report for fire-resistant (Type F) boards
- System fire-resistance test report where a wall / ceiling rating is claimed
- Declaration of Performance / Declaration of Conformity
- Product marking / label artwork
- Manufacturer details and Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the board range against the applicable standard. In outline:
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Classification and scope
We confirm the board types, thicknesses, edge profiles, reaction-to-fire classes, HS code and applicable standard, and define what the certificate should cover.
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Report review
We check whether your EN 13501-1 classification, EN 520 mechanical and any system reports can be reused for the exact boards supplied.
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Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, Declaration of Performance, marking 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 board types and thicknesses 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 a valid EN 13501-1 classification and EN 520 mechanical report already exist for your exact boards. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing fire-classification and mechanical reports — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh reaction-to-fire testing is required — the EN 13823 / EN 13501-1 route typically takes two to four weeks in an accredited laboratory
- A fresh fire-resistance system test (EN 1364-1) is a longer, scheduled test — plan well ahead if a wall rating is claimed and untested
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place
Common Problems
- Board sold as "fire board" with no EN 13501-1 reaction-to-fire classification report
- Classification report for a different core formulation, facing or thickness than the board shipped
- Moisture-resistant board with no water-absorption (Type H) test data
- A fire-rated wall or ceiling claimed on the strength of the board report alone, with no tested system
- Only a manufacturer datasheet — no accredited EN 520 mechanical test report
- Product marking missing the board type or reaction-to-fire class
- Jointing compound or plaster included on the invoice but not in the certificate scope
- Board declared under a heading that avoids the reaction-to-fire requirement
We check these points up front — especially the EN 13501-1 classification and the system claim — so shipments are not held at customs for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a manufacturer datasheet not enough for a fire board?
Because the Saudi market needs the reaction-to-fire class evidenced by an accredited EN 13501-1 classification report tied to the exact core formulation, facing and thickness of the board you export — not a general statement that the board "is non-combustible". Most gypsum boards classify as A2-s1,d0, but the report has to exist and match the product.
Is a board fire classification the same as a fire-rated wall?
No. Reaction to fire (EN 13501-1) describes how the board itself behaves in a fire. A "60-minute" or "120-minute" fire-rated wall or ceiling is a fire resistance rating that belongs to the whole tested assembly — board, framing, fixings and any insulation — and needs an EN 1364-1 / EN 1365 system test report.
Do moisture-resistant boards need special testing?
Yes. A board declared as moisture-resistant (Type H1, H2 or H3 to EN 520) must have surface and total water-absorption test data showing it meets the limit for that class. A green face colour alone is not evidence.
Does gypsum plasterboard fall under the Building Materials Technical Regulation?
Yes — within the gypsum and plaster product group. It needs a PCoC against the applicable board standard and a SCoC for every consignment before customs clearance, the same as other regulated building materials.
How much does SABER certification for gypsum board cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether a valid EN 13501-1 classification and EN 520 mechanical report already exist for your boards. When they do, a PCoC can often be arranged within a few working days; fresh reaction-to-fire testing typically adds two to four weeks, and a fresh system fire-resistance test longer. Send your board range and any 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 standard, fire-resistant, moisture-resistant and specialist plasterboard, ceiling boards, gypsum blocks and gypsum plasters — generally classified under HS 6809.11 for paper-faced board, 6809.19 for other boards, 6809.90 for other plaster articles, 3214.90 for jointing compounds and 2520.20 for plasters. We confirm the correct classification for your exact product during assessment.
Get Your Gypsum Board Certified
Send us your board range, thicknesses, edge profiles, EN 520 board types, reaction-to-fire classes, HS code and any existing EN 13501-1, EN 520 or system fire-resistance test reports. We will confirm the Building Materials Technical Regulation requirements, the applicable board standard, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.