What Is a PCoC?
A PCoC — Product Certificate of Conformity — is a formal certificate that confirms a specific product model conforms to the requirements of the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation. It is issued by a SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) after reviewing the product's technical documentation and, in most cases, test results from an accredited laboratory.
Unlike the SCoC, which is issued per shipment, the PCoC covers a specific product model and can be used for multiple shipments over its validity period. A PCoC is typically valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue. During that period, every shipment of the certified product model can reference the PCoC when applying for the per-shipment SCoC through SABER.
The PCoC is fundamentally different from a shipment certificate. It is a model-level product certification — it certifies that the design, construction and composition of the product meet Saudi requirements. It does not certify a specific consignment. That is the role of the SCoC.
For regulated products, obtaining a valid PCoC is a prerequisite for all exports to Saudi Arabia. No SCoC can be issued for a regulated product unless a valid PCoC is already registered in SABER under the importer's account.
Which Products Require a PCoC?
A PCoC is required for all products classified as regulated under the SABER system — that is, products for which a SASO Technical Regulation specifies mandatory conformity requirements. The list of regulated product categories is extensive and continues to expand as SASO introduces new Technical Regulations.
Common categories that typically require a PCoC include:
- Electrical and electronic equipment (consumer electronics, lighting, power supplies)
- Machinery and mechanical equipment
- Building and construction materials (cables, pipes, fittings, insulation)
- Textiles, garments and footwear
- Automotive parts and accessories
- Toys and children's products
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Chemical products and hazardous materials
- Food-contact materials and packaging
- Gas appliances and pressure equipment
Classification is determined by the product's HS code and the Technical Regulations currently in force. A product's regulatory status can change when SASO issues or updates a Technical Regulation, so the current status must be confirmed at the time of export.
Not sure if your product needs a PCoC? Share your product name and HS code with us. We will check the current Technical Regulation status and confirm the certification route required before you invest in documentation or testing.
Documents Required for PCoC
The specific documentation required depends on the applicable Technical Regulation, but the following are standard across most PCoC applications:
- Product name and model number (as it will appear on the certificate)
- HS code for the product
- Manufacturer name and full factory address
- Country of origin
- Product technical specifications or datasheet
- Product photographs (multiple angles, including labels and markings)
- Applicable test reports from an accredited laboratory
- Declaration of conformity signed by the manufacturer
- Saudi importer details including Commercial Registration (CR) number and SABER account information
Some Technical Regulations also require a factory inspection report, a quality management system certificate, or specific labelling documentation. We review the requirements of the applicable Technical Regulation and provide a tailored document checklist for your specific product and manufacturer before the application process begins.
The PCoC Application Process
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Step 1 — Product and HS Code Assessment
We begin by confirming the product's HS code and verifying its current regulatory status under the SABER system. This determines whether a PCoC is required, which Technical Regulation applies, and the full scope of documentation and testing needed. This step prevents costly errors caused by incorrect classification.
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Step 2 — Technical Regulation Identification
We identify the specific SASO Technical Regulation applicable to the product. This regulation sets out the mandatory standards, the type of conformity assessment required (testing, inspection or both), the laboratory accreditation requirements, and the documentation that must be submitted with the PCoC application.
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Step 3 — Test Report Review or New Testing Coordination
If the manufacturer already holds test reports, we review them against the Technical Regulation requirements to determine whether they are acceptable. If the reports are from an accredited laboratory and cover the correct standards and scope, they may be used directly. If testing gaps are identified or no test reports exist, we coordinate testing at an appropriate accredited laboratory.
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Step 4 — Document Compilation and Review
All required documents are compiled into a complete application package. We review each document for accuracy, completeness and compliance with the requirements of the Conformity Assessment Body before submission. Common issues — such as discrepancies between test report sample descriptions and product specifications, or incomplete manufacturer details — are identified and resolved at this stage rather than after submission.
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Step 5 — Submission to Certification Body
The completed application is submitted to the appointed SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Body through the SABER platform, coordinated through the Saudi importer's account. We liaise with the certification body throughout the review process and respond promptly to any queries or requests for additional information.
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Step 6 — Certificate Issuance
Upon successful review, the PCoC is issued by the Conformity Assessment Body and registered in the SABER system against the importer's account and product model. The certificate is valid for up to 12 months. We alert the importer and exporter before the certificate expires so that renewal is completed in time to avoid any interruption to exports.
Validity and Renewal
A PCoC is typically valid for 12 months from the date of issue. During this validity period, it supports any number of individual shipments, each of which requires its own SCoC linked to the active PCoC. There is no limit to the number of shipments that can be made under a single valid PCoC.
When the PCoC approaches its expiry date, a renewal application must be submitted. The renewal process follows a similar path to the original application — updated documents, current test reports and importer details are submitted to the Conformity Assessment Body. If the product model, manufacturer, manufacturing location or specification has not changed, renewal is generally straightforward. If there have been material changes to the product or its production, the certification body may require fresh testing or additional documentation.
A lapse in PCoC validity — even a brief gap — means that no SCoC can be issued for that product during the lapse period. Shipments planned for that window cannot be certified and cannot enter Saudi Arabia. Planning renewal well in advance of expiry is therefore critical for exporters with continuous or frequent shipment schedules.
Key renewal triggers to monitor:
- PCoC approaching its 12-month expiry date
- Change in product model, specification or design
- Change in manufacturer or manufacturing facility
- Update to the applicable SASO Technical Regulation
- Change in Saudi importer (importer-linked certificates may need reissue)
Common Reasons for PCoC Rejection
PCoC applications are rejected when the submitted documentation does not satisfy the Conformity Assessment Body's requirements. The following are the most frequent causes of rejection or delay:
- Incorrect or missing test reports — reports do not cover the standards required by the Technical Regulation
- Test reports from a non-accredited laboratory — the laboratory must hold accreditation recognized for the applicable standard
- Product specifications do not match the test sample — discrepancies between the product as described and the product as tested
- Incomplete manufacturer details — missing factory address, incorrect manufacturer name or unverifiable manufacturer information
- HS code mismatch — the HS code submitted does not correspond to the product category or conflicts with the Technical Regulation scope
- Missing declaration of conformity — either absent entirely or not signed by an authorised representative of the manufacturer
- Outdated test reports — test reports that are too old relative to the certification body's acceptance window
- Insufficient product photographs — images that do not clearly show the product, labels, markings or compliance marks
We conduct a full pre-submission document review to identify and resolve these issues before the application is lodged, significantly reducing the risk of rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my CE mark test report for a SABER PCoC?
In many cases, yes — partially. Test reports generated during CE marking or other international certification processes may be accepted as supporting evidence for a PCoC application, provided they were conducted to standards that are recognized under the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation and the laboratory holds the required accreditation. However, CE marking test reports do not automatically satisfy all SABER requirements. Some Technical Regulations reference Saudi-specific standards or require additional tests not covered by the CE process. We review your existing test reports against the Technical Regulation requirements and identify precisely what can be reused and what additional testing may be needed.
What if my product has no existing test report?
If no test reports exist, product testing must be conducted at an accredited laboratory before the PCoC application can be submitted. We coordinate the testing process — identifying the correct laboratory, preparing the test plan based on the Technical Regulation requirements, arranging sample submission and tracking the testing progress. Once the test report is issued by the laboratory, we review it before incorporating it into the PCoC application. The testing timeline varies by product category and laboratory workload, but typically ranges from 4 to 8 weeks.
How much does a PCoC cost?
PCoC costs vary depending on the product category, the Conformity Assessment Body appointed, and whether new testing is required. The main cost components are: the Conformity Assessment Body's certification fee, laboratory testing fees (if applicable), and our service fee for coordination and document management. For some products, a factory inspection fee may also apply. We provide a complete cost estimate specific to your product and circumstances before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
What is the difference between a PCoC and an SCoC?
A PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity) is a model-level certificate — it certifies that a specific product model meets the requirements of the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation. It is issued once per product model and is valid for up to 12 months, covering all shipments of that model during the validity period. An SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) is a per-shipment certificate — it is required for every individual consignment exported to Saudi Arabia and confirms that the specific shipment matches the certified product and complies with the applicable requirements. For regulated products, the SCoC is linked to an active PCoC. For more detail, see our SCoC Certificate page.