Product Testing for SABER Certification — Saudi Arabia

Why Product Testing Is Required for SABER

Product testing is the primary mechanism by which conformity to a Saudi Technical Regulation is demonstrated. Before a certification body can issue a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC), it must have evidence that the product meets the requirements of the applicable regulation.

Testing must be carried out by a laboratory that holds the accreditation recognised by the relevant certification body. Not all products require the same tests — the standard, scope and method are determined by the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation for the specific product category.

Products that do not fall under any Technical Regulation may not require formal laboratory testing, though this depends on the product's HS code and classification on the SABER platform.

Which Products Need Testing?

Regulated products — those covered by a Saudi Technical Regulation — generally require laboratory testing before a PCoC can be issued. The scope of testing varies by product category. Common categories and their typical test frameworks include:

Electrical and electronic products — IEC safety standards (e.g. IEC 60065, IEC 60950, IEC 62368)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — CISPR and related standards
Building materials — Saudi-specific or international construction standards
Textiles and apparel — flammability and fibre composition testing
Toys — EN 71 series (mechanical, chemical, flammability safety)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — applicable EN or ISO standards
Cosmetics and personal care — chemical composition limits
Household appliances — energy efficiency and safety standards

Non-regulated products may not require laboratory testing, but this must be confirmed through the SABER platform after product registration.

The applicable test standard is determined by the Saudi Technical Regulation — not by the exporter's preference or by the standard used to obtain a CE mark or other market certification. We identify the correct standard for each product before any testing is arranged.

Accredited Laboratory Requirements

Not every laboratory can produce test reports accepted by Saudi certification bodies. The laboratory must hold accreditation that the relevant certification body recognises as valid for the applicable test standard.

IECEE CB scheme test reports are widely accepted for electrical and electronic products and are recognised by most certification bodies working in the SABER framework
ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories are required for most test categories — accreditation scope must cover the specific standard being tested
Some certification bodies maintain their own approved laboratory lists — acceptance depends on the product and regulation
GCC-recognised laboratory accreditation may be required for certain product categories

We identify which laboratory accreditation is accepted for your specific product and certification body before coordinating any testing arrangements.

What We Do

We manage the product testing process from standard identification through to report review, reducing the risk of test failures, rejected reports and unnecessary repeat testing.

Identify applicable Technical Regulation and test standard
We confirm the Saudi Technical Regulation that applies to your product and identify the exact test standard and scope required.
Assess existing test reports for suitability
If you already hold test reports (from CE marking, UL listing or other certifications), we review them to assess whether they can be used for the SABER PCoC application.
Identify an appropriate accredited laboratory if new testing is needed
Where existing reports are not sufficient, we identify a suitable accredited laboratory that is accepted by the relevant certification body.
Coordinate sample submission and test process
We manage communication between the manufacturer and laboratory, including sample requirements, dispatch and test scheduling.
Review test report for completeness before PCoC submission
We review the completed test report to confirm it covers the required scope and is in the format accepted by the certification body before the PCoC application is submitted.

Using Existing Test Reports

In many cases, manufacturers already hold test reports from CE marking, FCC, UL or other compliance processes. An existing report may be accepted by the certification body if it meets all the following criteria:

Issued by a laboratory that holds accreditation accepted by the relevant certification body
Covers the correct product model — exact model number match required
Tests performed against the applicable Saudi test standard (or an equivalent accepted by the certification body)
Within the validity period set by the certification body (typically three to five years)
Complete test scope with no gaps or partial coverage
Product details in the report (brand, model, electrical ratings, markings) match the product being exported exactly

We assess existing reports against all of these criteria before advising whether new testing is required.

What Happens If a Test Fails?

A test failure means the product, as submitted for testing, does not meet the requirements of the applicable standard. This prevents a PCoC from being issued until the non-conformity is resolved.

Available options following a test failure include:

Modify the product to address the specific non-conformity and submit for retesting
Request a partial retest if only specific clauses failed, which can reduce cost and time
Obtain a derogation or exemption from the relevant authority (this is rare and product-specific)
Assess whether an alternative conformity route is available for the product category

We review test reports before submission to the certification body to identify any gaps or borderline results early — reducing the risk of a formal rejection and the delays that follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my existing CE test report for SABER certification?

Possibly. An existing CE test report may be accepted if the laboratory holds accreditation recognised by the Saudi certification body, the test standard matches or is accepted as equivalent, the report covers the correct product model and the report is within the validity period. We assess existing reports before any new testing is arranged to avoid unnecessary cost.

How long does product testing take?

Testing timelines depend on the product category, the specific test standard and the laboratory's current schedule. Straightforward electrical safety tests often take two to four weeks. More complex products involving EMC, chemical testing or multi-standard assessments can take four to eight weeks or longer. We obtain indicative timelines from the laboratory before confirming a schedule.

Does every component need separate testing?

Not always. Testing typically covers the finished product as a whole. However, some product categories require component-level testing — for example, certain electrical components may need to be tested to their own standards as part of the finished product assessment. We confirm what the applicable Technical Regulation requires for your product.

What if my product fails testing?

A test failure means the product does not currently meet the applicable standard. The most common resolution is to modify the product to address the failing clause and submit for a partial or full retest. We help identify the specific non-conformity, assess whether a design or labelling change can resolve it, and coordinate the retest process to minimise delay.