What Is SASO Certification?
SASO certification refers to the process of proving that a product conforms to the applicable Saudi standards and Technical Regulations issued by SASO — the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. SASO is the government body responsible for setting national standards, defining which products are regulated, and specifying the safety, health, environmental and quality requirements those products must meet before they can enter the Saudi market.
In everyday use, "SASO certification" is an umbrella term. It does not describe a single document but the overall state of being compliant with Saudi requirements. In practice, that compliance is now demonstrated electronically through the SABER platform, where products are registered and conformity certificates are issued. When a buyer, customs officer or freight forwarder asks whether your goods are "SASO certified," they are asking whether you hold the correct SABER conformity certificates for the Saudi market.
For exporters and manufacturers, understanding SASO certification means understanding two things: which Saudi standard applies to your product, and which certificate proves you meet it. The rest of this page walks through both.
SASO vs SABER — Clearing Up the Confusion
The two terms are frequently used as if they mean the same thing, and this causes real confusion for exporters. They are related but distinct.
SASO is the organization and the authority. It writes the standards, publishes the Technical Regulations, decides which products are regulated, and accredits the Conformity Assessment Bodies that carry out testing and certification. SASO is the "who" and the "rules."
SABER is the electronic platform through which SASO's rules are applied at the point of trade. It is where the Saudi importer registers a product, applies for certificates, and where Saudi customs verifies compliance. SABER is the "how" and the "where."
So "SASO certification" and "SABER certification" describe the same underlying goal — getting your product legally accepted in Saudi Arabia — from two different angles. SASO defines what compliance looks like; SABER is the system where you demonstrate it. If you have been told you need SASO certification, in practical terms you need to complete registration and obtain the appropriate certificates through SABER.
The Old SASO CoC vs the SABER System
Exporters who have shipped to Saudi Arabia for many years often remember a different system, and this is a common source of outdated advice. Before 2019, Saudi conformity was handled under the SASO Certificate of Conformity (CoC) programme, often processed through appointed inspection companies at origin on a per-shipment basis.
That legacy programme has been replaced. Since the rollout of SABER, the platform is the mandatory route for product registration and conformity certification. The modern equivalents of the old CoC are the two SABER certificates:
- The Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) — certifies a product model against its Technical Regulation, valid up to 12 months
- The Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) — issued per consignment for customs clearance
If you are working from instructions or a checklist that references the older per-shipment SASO CoC without mentioning SABER, PCoC or SCoC, that guidance is out of date. All current Saudi product compliance runs through the SABER platform.
The SASO Quality Mark
Separate from the SABER conformity certificates, SASO also operates a Quality Mark (SASO Quality Mark) scheme. This is a certification mark applied to certain regulated products — typically consumer goods in categories such as electrical appliances, lighting, cables and specific building materials — indicating that the product and its manufacturer meet Saudi quality requirements on an ongoing basis.
The Quality Mark is a higher-tier certification than a standard conformity certificate. It generally involves both product testing to the relevant Saudi or international standard and an assessment of the manufacturer's factory and quality management system, with periodic surveillance to maintain the mark. Not every product requires the Quality Mark — its applicability depends on the product category and the governing Technical Regulation.
For most exporters, the immediate requirement is SABER registration and the PCoC/SCoC certificates. Whether the Quality Mark additionally applies to your product is something to verify against the specific Technical Regulation. We can confirm this as part of a product assessment.
Which Products Need SASO Certification?
Whether SASO certification applies — and to what depth — depends on whether your product falls under a Saudi Technical Regulation, which is determined by its HS code.
Regulated products are covered by a SASO Technical Regulation and require both a PCoC and an SCoC. Common regulated categories include:
- Electrical and electronic equipment, appliances and lighting
- Cables, wires and low-voltage electrical products
- Machinery and mechanical equipment
- Building and construction materials
- Toys and children's products
- Personal protective equipment and textiles
- Automotive parts, tyres and lubricants
- Chemical products and food-contact materials
Non-regulated products have no applicable Technical Regulation. They still require an SCoC for each shipment through SABER, but no PCoC. Classification can change as SASO gazettes new regulations, so the only reliable answer comes from checking your current HS code — see our HS Code Guide or send us the code for a direct answer.
Important: A product that did not require SASO certification in the past may require it now. Never rely on the classification from a previous shipment — always verify against the current Technical Regulation list before you plan a consignment.
How to Get SASO Certification — The Process
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Step 1 — Identify the Standard and HS Code
Confirm your product's HS code and check whether a SASO Technical Regulation applies. This determines the whole compliance route — regulated (PCoC + SCoC) or non-regulated (SCoC only) — and which Saudi or international standards your product must meet.
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Step 2 — Product Testing
Where the Technical Regulation requires it, the product is tested at an accredited laboratory against the specified standards. Existing test reports (for example from CB scheme or CE testing) may be reusable if they match the required standard and accreditation — this is assessed case by case.
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Step 3 — Documentation and Registration
Technical documents, test reports and product information are compiled, and the product is registered on SABER by the Saudi importer under their account. We review the package for gaps before submission to avoid rejections and delays.
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Step 4 — Certificate Issuance
A SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Body reviews the application and issues the PCoC for the product model. From that point, an SCoC is raised for each shipment, which the importer presents at Saudi customs for clearance.
For the full detail of each certificate and the platform behind them, see our SABER Certification guide and step-by-step process page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SASO certification the same as SABER certification?
In practical terms for an exporter, yes — they lead to the same outcome. SASO is the authority that sets the standards and Technical Regulations; SABER is the platform where you register your product and obtain the conformity certificates that prove compliance with those standards. When someone says your product must be "SASO certified," what you actually need to do is complete SABER registration and hold a valid PCoC and SCoC. The terms are used interchangeably in the market even though they refer to different parts of the same system.
Does the old SASO Certificate of Conformity still exist?
The pre-2019 SASO CoC programme, which was handled per shipment through appointed inspection bodies at origin, has been replaced by the SABER platform. Current Saudi product compliance is demonstrated through the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) issued via SABER. If you are following guidance that references only the old CoC without mentioning SABER, that information is outdated.
What is the SASO Quality Mark and do I need it?
The SASO Quality Mark is a separate, higher-tier certification applied to certain regulated consumer products, involving product testing plus factory and quality-system assessment with ongoing surveillance. It is not required for every product — its applicability depends on the specific Technical Regulation covering your goods. For most exporters the immediate need is SABER registration with a PCoC and SCoC; whether the Quality Mark additionally applies is something we verify during a product assessment.
Can my CE or CB test reports be used for SASO certification?
International certificates such as CE marks or CB scheme certificates are not accepted as direct substitutes. However, the test reports produced during that testing may be accepted as supporting evidence for a PCoC application, provided they were conducted to a standard recognised by the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation and by an appropriately accredited laboratory. Acceptability is assessed case by case, and we review existing documentation to determine what can be reused and what gaps remain.
How long does SASO certification take?
If complete and compliant documentation including valid test reports is available, the PCoC is typically issued within 2 to 4 weeks of submission. If new product testing is required, allow an additional 4 to 8 weeks depending on the laboratory and product complexity. Per-shipment SCoC issuance is faster — usually 2 to 5 working days when documents are in order. See our SABER timeline page for a full breakdown.