Overview
A waterproofing membrane is a performance product: what is certified is its watertightness under head of water, its resistance to heat and flow at elevated temperature, its tensile strength and elongation, its behaviour at low temperature, and the strength of its seams or laps. That makes its certification different from the wider building and construction materials category and from insulation materials — the key evidence is an accredited test report against the applicable membrane standard for the exact product, covering watertightness and the Saudi-relevant heat behaviour.
Waterproofing membranes fall under the SABER conformity scheme, within the Building Materials Technical Regulation. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the membrane range, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. General cement, blocks and finishing materials are covered on our wider Building Materials page; this page covers waterproofing membranes specifically.
Product Types
The SABER route and membrane-specific requirements apply across products including:
- Modified-bitumen sheet membranes (SBS / APP), torch-on and self-adhesive
- Polymer / synthetic sheet membranes — PVC-P, TPO / FPO, EPDM
- HDPE / LDPE and pre-applied membranes for below-ground tanking
- Liquid-applied membranes — polymer-modified bitumen (PMBC), polyurethane, acrylic and cementitious
- Liquid-applied membranes for use under ceramic tiling (wet areas)
- Self-adhesive bituminous and butyl tapes and detailing strips
- Bentonite and crystalline (capillary) waterproofing systems
- Root-resistant membranes for green / planted roofs
The scope of your certificate is defined from the membrane chemistry, the reinforcement / carrier, the thickness, the intended use (roof, tanking, wet area) and the HS code. We structure the certificate so the membrane range you actually export is covered.
HS Codes
Waterproofing membranes are commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the exact product.
- 6807.10 — Articles of asphalt or of similar material (e.g. petroleum bitumen), in rolls
- 6807.90 — Other articles of asphalt or similar material
- 3921.90 — Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics (polymer sheet membranes)
- 3919.90 — Self-adhesive plates, sheets and strip of plastics
- 3214.90 / 3824.40 — Liquid-applied membranes, mastics and sealing compounds
Applicable Saudi Requirements
Waterproofing membranes are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:
- A valid PCoC issued against the Building Materials Technical Regulation and the applicable membrane standard
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Watertightness test evidence (EN 1928) at the required head of water for the intended use
- Resistance to flow at elevated temperature and dimensional stability under heat — critical for Saudi roof exposure
- Tensile properties, elongation, tear and puncture / impact resistance for the membrane type
- Seam / lap peel and shear strength for sheet membranes
- Durability after artificial weathering / UV and heat ageing
- Reaction-to-fire class (EN 13501-1) and, for roofing, external fire performance where required
- GHS-compliant labelling and Safety Data Sheet for liquid-applied and solvent-based products
- Product marking and datasheet, and a registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform
Technical Regulation
Waterproofing membranes are assessed principally under Saudi Arabia's Technical Regulation for Building Materials (the waterproofing product group) together with the applicable product standard for the membrane type. Internationally these are EN 13707 (reinforced bitumen sheets for roof waterproofing), EN 13969 (bitumen sheets for tanking and damp proofing), EN 13967 (plastic and rubber sheets for tanking, including against ground moisture), EN 13956 (plastic and rubber sheets for roof waterproofing), EN 14909 (plastic and rubber damp-proof courses), EN 15814 (polymer-modified bituminous thick coatings) and EN 14891 (liquid-applied membranes for use under ceramic tiling), or the ASTM D / European Assessment route for liquid-applied roofing. Watertightness follows EN 1928, and heat, tensile, seam and durability behaviour follow the EN 12310 / 12311 / 12316 / 12317 / 1109 / 1110 / 1296 / 1297 test series. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the membrane type and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Waterproofing membranes are typically evaluated against the applicable membrane standard for watertightness, mechanical performance, heat behaviour and durability. Typical verification includes:
- Watertightness under head of water — EN 1928 (methods A / B)
- Tensile strength and elongation at break — EN 12311-1 / 12311-2
- Resistance to tearing (nail shank) — EN 12310; static loading — EN 12730; impact — EN 12691
- Seam / joint peel and shear strength — EN 12316 / EN 12317
- Flexibility at low temperature (cold bend) — EN 1109
- Resistance to flow at elevated temperature — EN 1110
- Dimensional stability — EN 1107; water-vapour transmission — EN 1931
- Durability — artificial weathering / UV (EN 1297) and heat ageing (EN 1296)
- Root resistance — EN 13948 (green roofs)
- Reaction to fire — EN 13501-1; external fire performance for roofs where required
Existing accredited test reports may be accepted where they cover the exact membrane grade, carrier and thickness 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 membrane application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the membrane range
- Technical datasheet stating the membrane type, carrier / polymer, thickness and intended use
- Watertightness (EN 1928) test report
- Mechanical report — tensile, elongation, tear, impact and seam strength
- Heat behaviour report — flow resistance (EN 1110), dimensional stability and heat ageing
- Durability / artificial weathering report
- Reaction-to-fire classification report
- Safety Data Sheet and GHS label for liquid-applied / solvent-based products
- Declaration of Performance / Declaration of Conformity
- Manufacturer details and Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the membrane range against the applicable standard. In outline:
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Classification and scope
We confirm the membrane types, thicknesses, intended uses, HS code and applicable standard, and define what the certificate should cover.
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Report review
We check whether your watertightness, mechanical, heat and durability reports can be reused for the exact membranes supplied.
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Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, Declaration of Performance, 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 membrane types and thicknesses 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 watertightness and performance reports already exist for your exact membranes. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With acceptable existing watertightness, mechanical and heat reports — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When fresh testing is required — the full membrane test series, especially artificial weathering and heat ageing, typically takes several weeks in an accredited laboratory
- Reaction-to-fire and external fire tests are separate, scheduled tests where a roofing classification is claimed
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC is in place
Common Problems
- No accredited EN 1928 watertightness report for the intended use
- No flow-resistance or heat-ageing data for an exposed roof membrane going to Saudi Arabia
- Test report for a different thickness, carrier or polymer grade than the membrane shipped
- Seam / lap strength not tested for a sheet membrane
- Liquid-applied membrane with no Safety Data Sheet or GHS label
- Reaction-to-fire classification missing where the use requires it
- Datasheet performance figures not backed by an accredited laboratory report
- Membrane declared under a general heading to avoid the membrane performance requirements
We check these points up front — especially the watertightness evidence and the heat behaviour — so shipments are not held at customs for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single most important test for a waterproofing membrane?
Watertightness to EN 1928 — the membrane is subjected to a head of water for a set period and must not leak. The required pressure depends on the intended use (roof, damp proofing, or tanking under hydrostatic pressure), so the report has to match how the membrane will be used.
Why does heat resistance matter so much for Saudi Arabia?
Exposed roof membranes in the Kingdom reach very high surface temperatures. A bituminous membrane that is not sufficiently modified can soften and flow, and a sheet membrane can shrink or lose dimensional stability. Flow resistance (EN 1110), dimensional stability and durability after heat ageing (EN 1296) are therefore checked closely.
Do liquid-applied membranes need a Safety Data Sheet?
Yes. Liquid-applied and solvent-based membranes are chemical products, so they need a GHS-compliant label and a Safety Data Sheet alongside the performance test evidence. Cementitious and water-based systems still need the SDS but usually carry a lighter hazard profile.
Is this the same certification as the Building Materials page?
It is the same SABER route and the same Building Materials Technical Regulation, but waterproofing is its own regulated group with its own membrane standards and watertightness and heat testing — which is why it has a dedicated page. General construction materials are covered on our Building Materials page.
How much does SABER certification for waterproofing membranes cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether valid watertightness, mechanical and heat reports already exist for your membranes. When they do, a PCoC can often be arranged within a few working days; a full fresh test series with artificial weathering and heat ageing typically adds several weeks. Send your membrane 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 modified-bitumen sheets, PVC / TPO / EPDM sheets, HDPE tanking membranes, self-adhesive tapes and liquid-applied systems — generally classified under HS 6807.10 for bituminous rolls, 3921.90 / 3919.90 for polymer sheet and 3214.90 / 3824.40 for liquid-applied products. We confirm the correct classification for your exact product during assessment.
Get Your Waterproofing Membranes Certified
Send us your membrane range, chemistry, carrier, thicknesses, intended uses, HS code and any existing EN 1928, mechanical, heat or fire test reports. We will confirm the Building Materials Technical Regulation requirements, the applicable membrane standard, review your testing, and coordinate the PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.