Overview
Taps, mixers and faucets are a water-efficiency product: the defining requirement is the flow rate delivered at the reference pressure, which must be at or below the Saudi maximum for the tap type. That makes their certification different from the wider sanitaryware and bathroom products category and from industrial valves — the key evidence is an accredited flow-rate report against the Saudi limit, the water-efficiency label, mechanical performance and endurance data, and drinking-water-contact material safety for the wetted parts.
Taps and mixers fall under the SABER conformity scheme. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the tapware range, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. Ceramic sanitaryware, WCs, cisterns and bathroom accessories are covered on our wider Sanitaryware & Bathroom page; this page covers tapware specifically.
Product Types
The SABER route and tapware-specific requirements apply across products including:
- Basin / lavatory mixer taps and pillar taps
- Kitchen sink mixers and pull-out spray taps
- Bath fillers and bath / shower mixers
- Shower mixers and thermostatic mixing valves
- Concealed and wall-mounted mixers
- Sensor (touchless) and self-closing taps
- Bibcocks, stop taps and angle valves
- Flow regulators, aerators and shower heads supplied as tap components
The scope of your certificate is defined from the tap type, the cartridge / valve mechanism, the finish and the HS code. We structure the certificate so the tapware range you actually export is covered.
HS Codes
Taps and mixers are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the exact product.
- 8481.80 — Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances (sanitary tapware and mixers)
- 8481.90 — Parts of taps and valves (cartridges, aerators, spouts, diverters)
- 7418.20 — Sanitary ware and parts thereof, of copper / brass, where applicable
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Taps and mixers are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the Saudi water-efficiency requirements and the applicable tapware standard
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Flow-rate test evidence (litres per minute at the reference pressure) within the Saudi limit for the tap type
- The Saudi water-efficiency label applied to the product and packaging
- Mechanical performance, leak-tightness and endurance (cartridge-cycling) evidence
- Drinking-water-contact material-safety / low-lead evidence for the wetted parts
- Surface-coating (salt-spray) evidence where a decorative finish is claimed
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Taps and mixers are assessed principally under Saudi Arabia's water-conservation framework and the SASO water-efficiency requirements for taps and mixers (the SASO 2870 series), which set the maximum flow rate and the mandatory water-efficiency label. Mechanical and durability performance is assessed against the applicable tapware standard — internationally EN 200 (single taps and combination taps), EN 817 (mechanical mixing valves), EN 1111 (thermostatic mixing valves) and EN 1112 (shower outlets), or the ASME A112.18.1 / CSA B125.1 series. Drinking-water-contact safety follows the metal-release rig-test framework (EN 16058 / EN 15664, or NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 for low lead), acoustic behaviour follows ISO 3822, and decorative coatings follow EN 248 with salt-spray to ISO 9227. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the tap type and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Taps and mixers are typically evaluated against the applicable standards for water efficiency, tapware performance and material safety. Typical verification includes:
- Saudi water-efficiency flow-rate test (SASO 2870 series) — litres per minute at the reference pressure
- EN 200 — sanitary tapware: single taps and combination taps
- EN 817 — mechanical mixing valves; EN 1111 — thermostatic mixing valves
- EN 1112 — shower outlets; EN 1113 — shower hoses
- EN 246 — flow-rate regulators; EN 248 — nickel-chromium electrodeposited coatings
- EN 16058 / EN 15664 — dynamic rig test for the release of metals (lead, nickel) into drinking water; NSF/ANSI 61 & 372 for low lead
- ISO 3822 — acoustic noise (fitting noise group)
- ISO 9227 — neutral salt-spray (and AASS / CASS) for decorative finishes
- Endurance cycling of cartridges and diverters, and pressure / leak-tightness testing
Existing accredited test reports may be accepted where they cover the exact tap model, cartridge and finish 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 tapware application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the tapware range
- Technical datasheet stating flow rate (litres per minute at the reference pressure), cartridge type and finish
- Flow-rate test report against the Saudi water-efficiency limit
- Water-efficiency label artwork or a photograph showing it applied
- Mechanical performance, endurance and leak-tightness report (EN 200 / EN 817 / EN 1111 as applicable)
- Drinking-water-contact material-safety / low-lead evidence for the wetted parts
- Salt-spray report for the decorative coating where claimed
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the tapware range against the applicable standards. In outline:
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Classification and scope
We confirm the tap types, cartridge mechanism, finish, HS code and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
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Report review
We check whether your flow-rate, performance and material-safety reports can be reused for the exact models supplied.
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Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, water-efficiency label, marking and test evidence against the regulation.
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PCoC issued
Once the review is satisfied, the PCoC is issued on the SABER platform. 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:
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Shipment details submitted
The invoice, packing list and the linked PCoC are submitted for the specific consignment.
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Verification
The shipment is verified against the valid PCoC, the declared tap models and finishes are confirmed, and the SCoC fee is settled on the platform.
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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 flow-rate and performance reports already exist for your exact models. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing flow-rate and performance reports — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — flow-rate testing itself is quick, but if a tap flows above the Saudi limit, fitting a compliant regulator and retesting is the main variable
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place
Common Problems
- Flow rate above the Saudi limit for the tap type, with no compliant regulator or aerator fitted
- Water-efficiency label missing, or the wrong efficiency class
- Only a mechanical performance report — no accredited flow-rate report at the Saudi reference pressure
- Flow-rate report measured at a different pressure, so not comparable to the Saudi limit
- Drinking-water-contact / low-lead evidence missing for the brass wetted parts
- Decorative-finish salt-spray evidence absent
- Tap routed through the industrial-valve pressure-test programme instead of the tapware route
- Model or finish on the shipment not matching the certified model
We check these points up front — especially the flow-rate evidence and the water-efficiency label — so shipments are not held at customs for avoidable reasons.
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 faucets must flow at or below the permitted litres per minute at the reference pressure, evidenced by an accredited test report and shown on the water-efficiency label. Fitting a compliant flow regulator or aerator is often the fix — we confirm the target before you ship.
Does the flow-rate test have to be at a specific pressure?
Yes. The Saudi limit is defined at a reference dynamic pressure, so a report measured at a different pressure is not directly comparable. We confirm the reference condition before you test so the report is accepted first time.
Do brass taps need lead or drinking-water testing?
Wetted brass parts that carry drinking water are expected to meet a metal-release limit for lead and nickel, evidenced by a rig test (EN 16058 / EN 15664, or NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 for low lead). Low-lead brass or lead-free alloys make this straightforward.
Is a tap the same certification as an industrial valve?
No. Both sit in HS 8481.80, but a tap is assessed on water efficiency, tapware performance (EN 200 / EN 817 / EN 1111) and drinking-water contact — not the API 598 shell and seat pressure test used for pipeline valves. Industrial valves are covered on our Valves page.
How much does SABER certification for taps cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid flow-rate and performance reports already exist for your models. Flow-rate testing itself is quick; if a tap flows above the Saudi limit, fitting a compliant regulator and retesting is the main variable. Send your tapware range and any reports for a specific quote and timeline at no cost. See our SABER certificate cost guide.
Which products and HS codes does this cover?
The same SABER route applies across basin, kitchen, bath and shower mixers, pillar taps, sensor and self-closing taps and bibcocks — generally classified under HS 8481.80, with 8481.90 for parts and 7418.20 for copper / brass sanitary ware where applicable. We confirm the correct classification for your exact product during assessment.
Get Your Taps & Mixers Certified
Send us your tapware range, flow rates, cartridge type, finish, HS code and any existing flow-rate or EN 200 / EN 817 test reports. We will confirm the Saudi water-efficiency limits and labelling, the applicable performance standard, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.