SASO
SASO is a Saudi standards and Technical Regulations of Saudi Organization for Standardization, Metrology and Quality (SASO).
Saudi Certification Types
SASO
SASO is a Saudi Arabian standard and technical regulation Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's national transformation program for the period up to 2020 and 2030, SASO has developed the Saudi Product Safety Program, also known as SALEEM. Its purpose is to ensure compliance with Saudi Arabian quality and safety standards, as well as compliance of imported goods with Saudi Arabian standards and technical regulations developed by SASO; protect the health and safety of consumers and the environment.
All product groups are subject to SASO certification:
- food,
- cars,
- cosmetics,
- equipment
- and more.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) oversees the Saudi Product Safety Program, SALEEM, ensuring products entering the Saudi market are safe, secure, and free from defects that could harm consumers or the environment. The SABER platform, fully integrated with the FASAH system since July 2020, simplifies the certification process by enabling automatic verification of Shipment Certificates of Conformity (SCoC), facilitating smooth and efficient customs clearance.
Key Updates:
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Effective January 1, 2025:
All shipments to Saudi Arabia require both a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and an SCoC issued through the SABER platform. Letters of Undertaking are no longer accepted for customs clearance, and obtaining certificates post-arrival is considered a violation, risking shipment re-export.
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Effective September 15, 2025:
New list of HS CODE Added which requires importers to provide a declaration approved by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources when requesting SCoCs via SABER, enhancing compliance with technical regulations.
Importers of regulated products must register via SABER to obtain Product Certificates of Conformity, ensuring compliance with SASO’s Technical Regulations (TRs). All consignments (regulated and non-regulated) require SABER Shipment certificates for smooth customs clearance at Saudi ports.
QIMA: A SASO-Approved Conformity Assessment Body
QIMA is one of the SASO approved Conformity Assessment Bodies (CB) and is authorized to issue Certificates of Conformity for products exporting from the following regions:
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Asia and Australia, see our approved product scope
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Europe, see our approved product scope
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Americas (North and South), see our approved product scope
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Middle East and North African countries, see our approved product scope
Additionally, QIMA has received accreditation from the Saudi Accreditation Center (SAAC) for ISO/IEC 17065:2012, encompassing the SASO and SFDA scopes for the Middle East region.
SABER System
SABER is a platform that allows importers and local manufacturers to electronically obtain the required Certificate of Conformity and Certificate of Shipment Conformity for consumer goods, whether they were imported or locally manufactured to enter the Saudi market. The platform aims to protect the businesses from fraud and ensure that products are free from defects that may affect the health and safety of consumers.
Importers and local manufacturers can request a Certificate of Conformity (both Product and Shipment Certificates of Conformity) for their products easily through SABER.
The mechanism of the SABER system is divided into 3 steps as below.
Obtaining such a certificate includes a number of procedures:
- visual assessment of the goods before shipment (checking for compliance with the provided documentation, requirements for labeling, packaging, etc.);
- documentary verification (verification of documents confirming product quality, such as test reports, quality certificates, ISO certificates). If the amount of documentary information provided is insufficient, additional tests of the product are carried out.
WHAT CAN Ves Testing & Certification HELP YOU?
- Analysis of compliance of products and documentation with the requirements of local legislation.
- Consulting and preparation for certification
- Laboratory studies in accredited laboratories (if necessary)
To learn more about SASO certification, contact us now! Leave your request by e-mail: info@ves-certification.com