Overview
Washing machines are among the more tightly regulated household appliances entering Saudi Arabia. Because they consume both electricity and water, Saudi Arabia enforces electrical safety together with strict energy- and water-efficiency rules on them. Two things must be in place: conformity certification through SABER, and an approved SASO Energy & Water Efficiency Label showing the product meets the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS).
Laundry 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 label — a unit that fails the MEPS cannot be certified or sold, regardless of its safety compliance.
Product Types
The SABER route and efficiency rules apply across household and light-commercial laundry appliances, including:
- Front-loading automatic washing machines
- Top-loading automatic and semi-automatic washing machines
- Twin-tub and single-tub semi-automatic washers
- Combined washer-dryers
- Tumble dryers (condenser, vented and heat-pump)
- Light-commercial and coin-operated laundry machines
- Spin dryers and centrifugal extractors
The scope of your certificate and efficiency label is defined from the appliance type, rated capacity (kg) and energy/water consumption. We structure the certificate so the models you actually export are covered.
HS Codes
Laundry appliances are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the appliance type and configuration.
- 8450.11 — Fully-automatic washing machines, dry-linen capacity ≤ 10 kg
- 8450.12 — Other washing machines with built-in centrifugal drier
- 8450.19 — Other household washing machines, capacity ≤ 10 kg
- 8450.20 — Washing machines, dry-linen capacity > 10 kg
- 8451.21 / 8451.29 — Drying machines (tumble dryers)
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Washing machines are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform, together with 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- and water-efficiency testing showing the model meets the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS)
- A registered and approved SASO Energy & Water 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, capacity, energy class and water consumption
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Laundry appliances are assessed under two connected regimes: the applicable Saudi Technical Regulation for low-voltage electrical safety, and the Saudi energy-efficiency regulation for washing machines that sets the MEPS thresholds and labelling rules for both energy and water. 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
Washing machines are typically evaluated for both safety and energy/water performance. Typical verification includes:
- IEC 60335-1 and IEC 60335-2-7 — safety of household washing machines
- IEC 60335-2-11 — safety of household tumble dryers (where applicable)
- IEC 60456 — performance measurement of clothes washing machines
- SASO energy- and water-efficiency standards — energy consumption, water consumption and MEPS classification
- Energy consumption (kWh/cycle) and water consumption (litres/cycle) measurement and index calculation
- Electrical safety — insulation, earthing, leakage, water ingress and abnormal operation
Existing IECEE CB reports and accredited energy/water 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 washing machine 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 capacity (kg), rated power, energy consumption (kWh) and water consumption (litres)
- Electrical safety test report to IEC 60335-2-7 (and 2-11 for dryers)
- Accredited energy- and water-efficiency test report supporting the MEPS classification
- Product photographs showing the rating plate and efficiency-label area
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the washing machine model or range against the applicable safety and efficiency standards. In outline:
- Classification and scope
We confirm the appliance type, HS code, capacity, energy/water ratings and applicable standards, and define what the certificate should cover.
- Report and efficiency-label review
We check whether your safety and efficiency test reports can be reused, confirm the model meets the MEPS thresholds, and prepare the SASO Energy & Water Efficiency Label.
- Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, markings, efficiency classification and test evidence against the regulations.
- PCoC and efficiency label issued
Once the review is satisfied, the PCoC is issued on the SABER platform and the approved 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 efficiency 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 efficiency 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 efficiency reports — a PCoC and label can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — energy/water-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 efficiency registration are in place
Common Problems
- Model does not meet the current MEPS energy or water threshold — the most frequent reason a washing machine cannot be certified
- Missing or non-accredited energy/water-consumption test report
- Efficiency label not printed, wrong version, or not affixed to the unit
- Declared capacity, energy or water consumption not matching the test report or rating plate
- Safety report covering a different model or configuration 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 and water ratings — so shipments are not held at customs or rejected for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do washing machines need an efficiency label as well as SABER certification?
Yes. Washing machines must carry an approved SASO Energy & Water Efficiency Label and meet the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) in addition to their SABER conformity certificate. The efficiency registration and the PCoC are handled together, and a model that fails the MEPS cannot be certified — so we confirm the energy and water ratings up front.
Why is water consumption regulated as well as energy?
Washing machines use both electricity and water, and in Saudi Arabia water efficiency is regulated alongside energy. The label and MEPS cover both energy consumption per cycle and water consumption per cycle. A machine that is efficient on energy but uses too much water can still fail the standard, so we check both.
Can one PCoC cover a range of washing machine 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 efficiency classification and construction. Different capacities or efficiency classes usually need their own testing and label. We structure the certificate so the models you actually export are covered.
How much does SABER certification for washing machines cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid safety and efficiency test reports already exist and whether the model meets the MEPS. With acceptable reports a PCoC and label can often be arranged within a few working days; if fresh energy/water 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 washing machines 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 efficiency route applies across front-loading and top-loading washing machines, washer-dryers and tumble dryers — generally classified under HS headings 8450 (washing machines) and 8451 (drying machines). We confirm the correct classification and label rules for your exact appliance during assessment.
Get Your Washing Machines Certified
Send us your appliance type, capacity (kg), rated power, energy consumption (kWh), water consumption (litres), HS code and any existing safety or efficiency test reports. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation and MEPS thresholds, review your testing, prepare the SASO Energy & Water Efficiency Label, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.