Overview of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s online SABER system
On January 1, 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) launched the SABER platform for its SALEEM certification program, initially covering gas products.
On April 1, 2019 the SABER platform was extended to include electrical products (electrical and energy efficiency) imported and sold into the market. Learn more about this new system.
The Saudi Product Safety Program (SALEEM)
In 2018, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) implemented an enhanced conformity assessment program, called SALEEM, in the form of 38 technical regulations covering multiple industry sectors, including electrical/electronic products for electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and energy efficiency. In a second phase, SASO issued eight additional technical regulations for other products.
SALEEM takes into consideration specific product technical regulations to ensure the quality and safety of products in the KSA market. The products covered by the technical regulations are referred to as “regulated products.” SASO also created a central online repository/platform, SABER, for product registration and certification.
The SABER Platform
Under the SALEEM program, SASO developed their own electronic system called SABER. SABER is a central online repository where all imported products are registered and certified. It acts as a platform for both product certification and shipment certification, including a repository for test and inspection reports, as well as shipment documentation. As of January 1, 2019, importers must initiate certification requests for gas appliances and accessories they intend to import to the KSA by registering regulated products on SABER. From April 1, 2019, importers must initiate certification requests for G mark products they intend to import to KSA by accessing SABER, registering the regulated products, and if applicable choosing a SASO-approved certification body (CB) such as Intertek to process the request. SABER can be used for both product and shipment certifications.
Note: G Mark products and Gas appliances and accessories are classified as Equivalent Certificate Products. Gas appliances and accessories require the mandatory SASO Quality mark and do not require further intervention from the Certification Body.
Applicable Products
Electrical and Gas Products covered by SALEEM and to be registered on SABER by the importer include:
- Low-Voltage Electrical Equipment & Appliances falling under GSO G Mark
- Other LVE Equipment and Appliances
- Products falling under Energy Efficiency Labelling requirements
- Gas appliances and accessories
- Mobile devices
- Car and mobile phone batteries
- Household domestic water pumps
- Dishwashers (domestic & commercial)
- Televisions & Display Monitors
- Mobile phone, Car & Laptop chargers
- Power banks
- Lighting products
- Electrical motors
- Portable computers/tablets
- Wireless Headphones, Earphones, and similar products
- Smart Watches and Smart Bands
Product Certification of Conformity (PCoC)
The product certification of conformity is issued online in the SABER platform(with the exception of products classified under the Equivalent Certificate ruling). The process for obtaining a PCoC is:
- Importer adds product information on the SABER platform
- Importer selects CB for issuance of PCoC and pays related fees
- The CB accesses the SABER platform to check for importer requests
- CB facilitates the conformity assessment of the product
- The CB verifies the results and uploads qualifying valid documents into the SABER system
Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
Every regulated product included in the shipment will be verified by the CB to ensure there is an existing valid PCoC. If a valid PCoC is confirmed, an SCoC is issued.
The process includes the following steps:
- Importer sends online request, via SABER, to obtain SCoC for importing products into KSA
- CB verifies if there is valid PCoC for every regulated product and determines whether selective inspection is required
- If PCoC is verified, the CB confirms in SABER that it has been found to be true and performs selective inspection (if applicable)
- Importer pays SCoC fees
- SCoC is issued online in SABER, valid for that specific shipment only
SASO Technical Regulation Conformity Approach (Electrical & Gas Products):
| Technical Regulation | Product Application | Product Scope | Conformity Approach | Conformity Requirements | PCoC Required | SCoC Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BD-142004-01 | Electrical Safety and EMC | Electrical / Electronic Appliances - TC 143307-01, List (2) | IECEE CB Scheme, or GCC GSO Notified Body Report - Annex 4, or ISO / IEC 17025 Report* | IEC CB Test Report and CB Certificate and G Mark Type Examination Certificate | No G Mark Type Certificate Only |
Yes |
| MA-155-16-03-04 | Electrical Safety | Electric Self-balancing Boards (Scooter) | Testing to ISO and SASO IEC / EN Standards and Annual Factory Inspection | ILAC ISO / IEC / EN 17025 Test Report and CIG 022 Factory Inspection Report | Yes | Yes |
| MA-156-16-03-04 | GAS Safety | Gas Appliances and Accessories | Testing to ISO, SASO and EN Standards and Annual Factory Inspection | ILAC ISO / IEC / EN 17025 Test Report and Factory Inspection Report SASO Quality Mark | No SASO QM |
Yes |
| MA-156-16-03-05 | Energy Efficiency | Variety of Equipment AC up to 65,000 BTU, AC over 65,000 BTU, Refrigerators up to 1100 L (39 ctf), Freezers up to 850 L (30 ctf), Washing Machines up to 25 KGS, Lighting Products Parts 1 & 2, Electric motors, Fuel economy for new vehicles, Tires, Clothes Dryers, Water Heaters |
Testing to SASO EER Standards | ILAC ISO / IEC 17025 Test Report, SASO energy labelling Requirements |
No SASO EER |
Yes |
| MA-162-17-04-03 | Electrical & Mechanical Safety | Electric Vehicles | Testing to ISO, IEC, SASO Standards | ILAC ISO / IEC 17025 Test Report | Yes | Yes |
| MA-161-17-07-05 | Electrical, Mechanical and Load Safety | Electric elevators used in buildings and installations | Site Inspection to ISO & SASO standards | ILAC ISO / IEC 17020 Inspection Report | Yes | Yes |
| MA-165-18-04-03 | Electrical, Mechanical Safety and EER | Small-Solar Photovoltaic Systems | Testing to ISO, IEC, EN & SASO Standards | ILAC ISO / IEC 17025 Test Report | Yes | Yes |
| Technical Regulation for SASO Recognition Certificate (RC) | Electrical Safety | Variety of Equipment Mobile Phone devices, Chargers for Mobile Phones, Household/domestic Electric pumps, Car chargers for mobile phones, Wireless chargers for mobile phones, Power bank, Mobile phone batteries, Laptops and Tablets, Smart watches, Smart band, Television and Display monitors, Dishwashers, Wireless headphone, Earphones and similar products, Laptop chargers (Electric transformer for Laptop), Lighting Products – Parts 1 & 2 |
IECEE CB Scheme | IEC CB Test Report and CB Certificate | No SASO RC Only |
Yes |
| MA-166-18-04-01 | Electrical Safety | Electrical Batteries (2 main categories are Auto batteries and portable batteries) |
Testing to ISO, IEC, SASO Standards | ILAC ISO / IEC / EN 17025 Test Report and Factory Inspection Report | Yes | Yes |
Certification Bodies
CBs are accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 for conducting certification activities to determine conformity to standards, regional requirements, and/or regulations, issuing certifications for:
- Product (Type)
- Shipment (Verification)
The Intertek Advantage
As an expert in testing and certifying electrical products, with more than 120 years of expertise, Intertek offers assurance, testing, inspection, and certification services around the world. Intertek is an approved certification body for the SASO SALEEM program and the SABER platform, offering global market access services via our unrivaled network of experts, laboratories, and certification bodies around the world.
