Is a SABER Certificate Required for Sanitaryware?
Yes. Sanitary fittings and bathroom water products are regulated on the SABER platform, principally under Saudi Arabia’s water-conservation framework. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) must be issued for the product before a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) can be obtained for each consignment and the goods cleared through Saudi customs.
The defining requirement for this category is water efficiency. Saudi Arabia sets maximum flow rates for taps and showers and maximum flush volumes for WCs and cisterns, and in-scope products must meet those limits and carry the required water-efficiency labelling. A beautiful, well-made tap will still be rejected if it flows above the permitted rate.
Applicable Technical Regulations
Sanitary fittings are certified through SABER registration, and the relevant requirement depends on the specific fitting. The exact regulation and standard are confirmed at assessment from the product type and HS code.
- Water-efficiency requirements — maximum flow rates for taps, mixers and shower heads, and maximum flush volumes for WCs and cisterns
- Sanitary tapware and mixers — assessed against the applicable performance, leak-tightness and durability standard
- Water closets, cisterns and flushing devices — flush performance and volume requirements
- Ceramic sanitaryware (basins, WCs, bidets) — dimensional, absorption and quality requirements
- Material-safety and, where relevant, lead-content requirements for drinking-water contact parts
Testing Requirements
Testing depends on the fitting. Typical requirements include:
- Flow-rate testing (litres per minute) for taps, mixers and shower heads
- Flush-volume and flush-performance testing for WCs and cisterns
- Pressure, leak-tightness and endurance / durability cycling of valves and cartridges
- Material-safety and lead-in-contact-water testing where applicable
- Dimensional and water-absorption testing for ceramic sanitaryware
Existing reports from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories may be accepted if they cover the correct product and standard and remain valid. We assess your reports first and arrange product testing only for what is genuinely missing.
SABER Certificate Requirements for Sanitaryware
The typical document set for a sanitaryware SABER application is below; our full documents required guide explains each item in more detail.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Product technical datasheet stating flow rate / flush volume
- Water-efficiency and performance test reports
- Product and packaging photographs showing the water-efficiency label
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- HS code and Saudi importer registration details
How We Help
- Confirm the water-efficiency limits
We identify the maximum flow rate or flush volume that applies to your specific fitting and the required labelling.
- Review existing test reports
We check whether your flow-rate, flush and durability reports are acceptable and identify only the missing tests.
- Coordinate required testing
We arrange any outstanding testing with an accepted laboratory for the specific product.
- Obtain the PCoC and process each SCoC
We secure the Product Certificate and process the Shipment Certificate for every consignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was my tap rejected even though it works perfectly?
Almost always because its flow rate exceeds the Saudi water-efficiency limit. Taps, mixers and showers must flow at or below the permitted litres-per-minute, evidenced by an accredited test report and shown on the water-efficiency label. Fitting a flow regulator is often the fix — we confirm the target before you ship.
Do WCs have a maximum flush volume?
Yes. Water closets and cisterns must not exceed the maximum flush volume set by the Saudi water-efficiency requirements, verified by flush-performance testing. Dual-flush designs are assessed on both their full and reduced flush volumes.
What is the difference between the product certificate and the shipment certificate?
The PCoC confirms the product meets the applicable regulation and is typically valid for one year. The SCoC is issued per consignment and is required for each individual shipment. Both are needed to clear customs.
How much does SABER certification for sanitaryware cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid flow-rate / flush-volume and durability reports already exist. With acceptable water-efficiency reports in place, a PCoC can often be arranged quickly; if flow-rate, flush or durability testing is needed, the laboratory turnaround is the main variable. Send your product datasheet and any reports and we will give you a specific quote and timeline at no cost. See our SABER certificate cost guide.
Which sanitaryware products and HS codes does this cover?
The framework covers taps, mixers and shower heads (HS 8481), ceramic sanitaryware such as basins, WCs and bidets (HS 6910), and cisterns, fittings and bathroom accessories. The precise HS code and product determine the applicable water-efficiency limit and standard, which we confirm during assessment.
Does my product need a water-efficiency label?
In most cases, yes. In-scope taps, showers and WCs must meet the Saudi maximum flow rate or flush volume and carry the required water-efficiency label, evidenced by an accredited-laboratory report. We confirm the exact limit and labelling your product needs before you ship, since this is the most common cause of sanitaryware being held at customs.