Is a SABER Certificate Required for Toys?
Yes. Toys fall under the Gulf/Saudi Technical Regulation for Toys and are treated as a regulated product on the SABER platform. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) must be obtained for the toy before a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) can be issued for each consignment and the goods cleared through customs.
Toy safety is assessed across three distinct dimensions — mechanical and physical safety, flammability, and chemical safety. A toy can pass mechanical testing yet still be rejected on chemical grounds (for example excessive migration of heavy metals or restricted phthalates), so all three must be satisfied together.
Applicable Technical Regulations & Standards
Toys are certified through SABER registration and assessed against the Toys Technical Regulation together with the internationally recognised toy-safety standard series. The exact scope, including age grading, is confirmed at assessment from the product and HS code.
- Gulf / Saudi Technical Regulation for Toys — sets the safety requirements, the conformity route and the Gulf Conformity marking
- Mechanical and physical properties — EN 71-1 / ISO 8124-1 (small parts, sharp edges, drop and torque tests)
- Flammability — EN 71-2 / ISO 8124-2
- Migration of certain elements (heavy metals) — EN 71-3 / ISO 8124-3
- Restricted chemicals — phthalates and other substances restricted for children's products
Testing Requirements
Toy conformity normally requires laboratory testing across the safety dimensions relevant to the product:
- Mechanical and physical testing to EN 71-1 / ISO 8124-1 — small parts, sharp points, cords and drop tests
- Flammability testing to EN 71-2 / ISO 8124-2
- Chemical migration of elements to EN 71-3 / ISO 8124-3
- Phthalate and restricted-substance testing where relevant to the materials
- Electrical safety testing for electric or battery-operated toys (EN IEC 62115)
Existing EN 71 / ISO 8124 reports from accredited laboratories are usually accepted if they cover the correct product, materials and current standard editions. We assess your reports first and arrange product testing only for what is genuinely missing.
SABER Certificate Requirements for Toys & Children's Products
The typical document set for a toy SABER application is below; our full documents required guide explains each item in more detail.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Product photographs showing the toy, packaging, age grading and warnings
- Test reports — EN 71 / ISO 8124 (mechanical, flammability, chemical) and phthalates as applicable
- Electrical safety report for electric / battery-operated toys
- Declaration of Conformity and packaging/label artwork
- HS code and Saudi importer registration details
How We Help
- Assess the toy and confirm age grading
We classify the product, confirm the HS code and set the correct age grading, which drives the small-parts and warning requirements.
- Review existing test reports
We check whether your EN 71 / ISO 8124 reports are acceptable and identify only the missing tests.
- Coordinate testing and labelling review
We arrange any required testing and confirm the age grading, warnings and packaging markings are correct.
- Obtain the PCoC and process each SCoC
We secure the Product Certificate and process the Shipment Certificate for every consignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my EN 71 test reports accepted for Saudi Arabia?
Usually yes. EN 71 / ISO 8124 reports from an accredited laboratory are normally accepted for the SABER application if they cover the correct product and materials and use current standard editions. We confirm which of your reports are sufficient before arranging any new testing.
Do battery-operated toys need extra testing?
Yes. In addition to the mechanical, flammability and chemical requirements, electric and battery-operated toys need electrical safety testing (EN IEC 62115). Toys with wireless functions may also have EMC/radio requirements, which we confirm at assessment.
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 toys cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether current EN 71 / ISO 8124 reports already exist for the exact product and materials. With acceptable mechanical, flammability and chemical reports in place, a toy PCoC can often be arranged quickly; if new testing is needed the laboratory turnaround is the main variable. Send your product details and any reports and we will give you a specific quote and timeline at no cost. See our SABER certificate cost guide.
Which products and HS codes does this cover?
The framework covers toys and games for children — dolls, soft toys, ride-ons, construction and activity toys, electronic and battery-operated toys — generally classified under HS heading 9503 (and related headings for games). The precise HS code and materials affect the test scope, so we confirm the correct classification and age grading during assessment.
How does age grading affect what testing is required?
Age grading is central. Toys intended for children under three are subject to much stricter small-parts rules, while "3+" toys rely on correct age labelling and warnings. Getting the grading right up front determines which mechanical and warning requirements apply and avoids a rejection over an incorrect label — we set this before any testing.