Overview
Microwave ovens are treated as safety-critical appliances in Saudi Arabia because, in addition to normal electrical hazards, they generate microwave energy that must not leak beyond strict limits. A defective door seal or interlock can allow radiation to escape, so leakage and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) are assessed alongside electrical safety. Electric ovens and cooking ranges are assessed for electrical and surface-temperature safety, and — where applicable — energy efficiency.
Ovens fall under the SABER conformity scheme. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the product, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. For microwave ovens, the certificate relies on microwave-leakage and EMC evidence in addition to the usual safety report.
Product Types
The SABER route applies across household and light-commercial cooking appliances, including:
- Solo microwave ovens
- Grill and convection microwave ovens
- Built-in and over-the-range microwave ovens
- Electric ovens (built-in and freestanding)
- Cooking ranges and cookers with oven
- Toaster ovens, mini-ovens and rotisseries
- Light-commercial microwave and combination ovens
The scope of your certificate is defined from the appliance type, rated power, cavity/capacity and functions. We structure the certificate so the models you actually export are covered.
HS Codes
Cooking appliances are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the appliance type.
- 8516.50 — Microwave ovens
- 8516.60 — Other electric ovens; cookers, cooking plates, grillers and roasters
- 8516.72 — Electric toasters
- 8516.79 — Other electro-thermic cooking appliances
- 7321.11 / 7321.81 — Gas and other non-electric cooking ranges (where applicable)
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Microwave and electric ovens are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the applicable Technical Regulation and standards
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Electrical safety and surface-temperature test evidence to the applicable IEC standard
- For microwave ovens: microwave-leakage test evidence within the permitted limit and EMC test evidence
- For electric ovens/ranges: energy-efficiency evidence and label where the regulation requires it
- Correct marking of voltage, rated power, frequency and safety symbols
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Ovens are assessed under the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation for low-voltage electrical products, together with the EMC regulation for microwave ovens (which emit radio-frequency energy) and, for electric ovens and ranges, the energy-efficiency regulation where it applies. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the appliance type and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Ovens are typically evaluated for safety and, for microwave types, leakage and EMC. Typical verification includes:
- IEC 60335-1 and IEC 60335-2-25 — safety of microwave ovens
- IEC 60335-2-6 — safety of stationary cooking ranges, ovens and hobs
- Microwave leakage measurement — the limit is 5 mW/cm² at 5 cm from the surface
- Door interlock, seal integrity and monitored-interlock verification
- CISPR 11 / EMC — radio-frequency emissions and immunity for microwave ovens
- Electrical safety — insulation, earthing, leakage current, surface temperature and abnormal operation
- Energy-efficiency measurement for electric ovens where the regulation requires it
Existing IECEE CB reports, leakage reports and EMC reports may be accepted where they cover the correct model 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 oven application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the appliance
- Technical datasheet showing type, rated power, frequency and cavity/capacity
- Electrical safety test report to IEC 60335-2-25 (microwave) or 2-6 (electric ovens)
- Microwave-leakage test report and EMC test report for microwave ovens
- Energy-efficiency report and label for electric ovens where required
- Product photographs showing the rating plate and door/interlock
- Manufacturer details, Declaration of Conformity and Saudi importer registration
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the oven model or range against the applicable safety, leakage and EMC standards. In outline:
- Classification and scope
We confirm the appliance type, HS code, rated power and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
- Report review
We check whether your safety report can be reused and, for microwave ovens, confirm the leakage and EMC reports are in order.
- Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, markings and test evidence against the regulations.
- 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 and the linked PCoC are submitted for the specific consignment.
- Verification and payment
The shipment is verified against the valid PCoC 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 valid safety, leakage and EMC reports already exist. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing reports — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — leakage, EMC and safety 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
- Microwave leakage exceeding the 5 mW/cm² limit, or missing leakage evidence — a frequent cause of rejection
- Missing EMC test report for the microwave oven
- Door interlock or seal not proven, or a different door design than the tested unit
- Declared rated power or frequency not matching the test report or rating plate
- Safety report covering a different model or cavity size than the units shipped
- HS code declared on the invoice not matching the appliance type actually shipped
We check these points up front — especially leakage, interlocks and EMC — so shipments are not held at customs or rejected for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do microwave ovens need leakage and EMC testing?
A microwave oven generates microwave energy inside a cavity, and a faulty door seal or interlock could let radiation escape — so leakage is measured and must stay within 5 mW/cm² at 5 cm. Microwave ovens also emit radio-frequency energy that can interfere with other equipment, which is why an EMC test is required. Both are needed in addition to the normal electrical safety report.
Do electric ovens and cooking ranges need an energy label?
Electric ovens and ranges are assessed mainly for electrical and surface-temperature safety, and an energy-efficiency label applies where the Saudi regulation requires it for the appliance type. Microwave ovens are primarily governed by safety, leakage and EMC rather than an energy label. We confirm which requirements apply to your exact appliance during assessment.
Can one PCoC cover a range of oven models?
A PCoC can often cover a range of related models from the same manufacturer and family, depending on how the scope is defined and whether they share construction, door design and rated power. Different cavity sizes or door designs usually need their own leakage evidence. We structure the certificate so the models you actually export are covered.
How much does SABER certification for microwave ovens cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid safety, leakage and EMC reports already exist. With acceptable reports a PCoC can often be arranged within a few working days; if fresh testing is required the laboratory turnaround is the main variable. Send your appliance 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 ovens 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 microwave ovens, electric ovens, cooking ranges and toaster ovens — generally classified under HS heading 8516 (electro-thermic appliances), with microwave ovens under 8516.50. We confirm the correct classification and applicable requirements for your exact appliance during assessment.
Get Your Microwave Ovens Certified
Send us your appliance type, rated power, frequency, cavity/capacity, HS code and any existing safety, leakage or EMC test reports. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation and leakage/EMC requirements, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.