Overview
Refrigerators and freezers are among the most tightly regulated household appliances entering Saudi Arabia. Because cooling appliances run continuously and consume a large share of household electricity, Saudi Arabia enforces both electrical safety and strict energy-efficiency rules on them. Two things must be in place: conformity certification through SABER, and an approved SASO Energy Efficiency Label showing the product meets the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS).
Refrigerating appliances 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. In addition, each model must be registered on the Saudi Energy Efficiency programme, tested against the MEPS threshold and carry the correct energy label — a unit that fails the MEPS cannot be certified or sold, regardless of its safety compliance.
Product Types
The SABER route and energy-efficiency rules apply across household and light-commercial refrigerating appliances, including:
- Single-door and double-door household refrigerators
- Refrigerator-freezers (fridge-freezers), including bottom-mount and top-mount
- Side-by-side and French-door refrigerators
- Chest freezers and upright freezers
- Mini-bars, wine coolers and beverage coolers
- Light-commercial display refrigerators and bottle coolers
- No-frost and direct-cool refrigerating appliances
The scope of your certificate and energy label is defined from the appliance type, gross/net volume and rated energy consumption. We structure the certificate so the models you actually export are covered.
HS Codes
Refrigerating appliances are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the appliance type and configuration.
- 8418.10 — Combined refrigerator-freezers with separate external doors
- 8418.21 — Compression-type household refrigerators
- 8418.29 — Other household refrigerators
- 8418.30 / 8418.40 — Chest and upright freezers
- 8418.50 — Other refrigerating or freezing display furniture (commercial coolers)
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Refrigerators and freezers are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform, together with energy-efficiency registration. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the applicable Technical Regulation and standards
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Energy-efficiency testing showing the model meets the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS)
- A registered and approved SASO Energy Efficiency Label printed and affixed to each unit
- Electrical safety test evidence to the applicable IEC household-appliance standard
- Correct marking of voltage, rated power, refrigerant type and energy class
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Refrigerating appliances are assessed under two connected regimes: the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation for low-voltage electrical safety, and the Saudi energy-efficiency regulation for refrigerating appliances that sets the MEPS thresholds and labelling rules. 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
Refrigerators and freezers are typically evaluated for both safety and energy performance. Typical verification includes:
- IEC 60335-1 and IEC 60335-2-24 — safety of household refrigerating appliances
- SASO energy-efficiency standards for refrigerators and freezers — energy consumption, volume and MEPS classification
- Energy consumption measurement (kWh/year) and calculation of the energy-efficiency index
- Temperature performance, pull-down and storage-temperature verification
- Electrical safety — insulation, earthing, leakage and abnormal operation
- Refrigerant and, for flammable refrigerants (e.g. R600a), relevant handling and marking checks
Existing IECEE CB reports and accredited energy-test 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 refrigerator 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 volume, rated power, refrigerant and energy consumption (kWh/year)
- Electrical safety test report to IEC 60335-2-24
- Accredited energy-efficiency test report supporting the MEPS classification
- Product photographs showing the rating plate and energy-label area
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the refrigerator model or range against the applicable safety and energy standards. In outline:
- Classification and scope
We confirm the appliance type, HS code, volume, energy rating and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
- Report and energy-label review
We check whether your safety and energy test reports can be reused, confirm the model meets the MEPS threshold, and prepare the SASO Energy Efficiency Label.
- Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, markings, energy classification and test evidence against the regulations.
- PCoC and energy label issued
Once the review is satisfied, the PCoC is issued on the SABER platform and the approved energy label is confirmed for the model. 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 energy registration, 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 and energy test reports already exist and whether the model already meets the MEPS. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing safety and energy reports — a PCoC and energy label can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — energy-consumption testing turnaround is the main driver, usually a few weeks depending on scope
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC and energy registration are in place
Common Problems
- Model does not meet the current MEPS energy threshold — the most frequent reason a refrigerator cannot be certified
- Missing or non-accredited energy-consumption test report
- Energy label not printed, wrong version, or not affixed to the unit
- Declared volume or energy consumption not matching the test report or rating plate
- Safety report covering a different model or refrigerant than the units shipped
- HS code declared on the invoice not matching the appliance type actually shipped
We check these points up front — especially the MEPS energy rating — so shipments are not held at customs or rejected for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do refrigerators need an energy label as well as SABER certification?
Yes. Refrigerators and freezers must carry an approved SASO Energy Efficiency Label and meet the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) in addition to their SABER conformity certificate. The energy registration and the PCoC are handled together, and a model that fails the MEPS cannot be certified — so we confirm the energy rating up front.
What is MEPS and can my refrigerator fail it?
MEPS is the Minimum Energy Performance Standard — a threshold for how much energy a refrigerator may consume for its volume. If a model's measured energy consumption is above the allowed level it fails MEPS and cannot be certified or imported, regardless of electrical safety. We check the energy rating against the current standard before starting the certificate.
Can one PCoC cover a range of refrigerator 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 energy classification and construction. Different volumes or energy classes usually need their own energy testing and label. We structure the certificate so the models you actually export are covered.
How much does SABER certification for refrigerators cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid safety and energy test reports already exist and whether the model meets the MEPS. With acceptable reports a PCoC and energy label can often be arranged within a few working days; if fresh energy 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 refrigerators 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 and energy-efficiency route applies across household refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, chest and upright freezers, and coolers — generally classified under HS heading 8418. We confirm the correct classification and energy-label rules for your exact appliance during assessment.
Get Your Refrigerators Certified
Send us your appliance type, volume, refrigerant, rated power, energy consumption (kWh/year), HS code and any existing safety or energy test reports. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation and MEPS energy threshold, review your testing, prepare the SASO Energy Efficiency Label, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.