SASO is the abbreviation of Saudi Arabian Standards Organization in English, which is the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization. In fact, many of the SASO standards are established based on the safety standards of relevant international organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Like many other countries, Saudi Arabia has added some unique items to the standard based on its country's civil and industrial voltages, geographical and climatic environment, ethnic and religious habits, etc. In order to achieve the purpose of protecting consumers, SASO standards not only apply to products imported from abroad, but also apply to products produced in Saudi Arabia.

The necessity of SASO certification

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Saudi Arabia and SASO require that all products covered by SASO certification standards have SASO certification certificates when entering Saudi Customs. Products without SASO certificates will be refused entry by Saudi port customs.

For products exported to Saudi Arabia, a SASO certification certificate must be issued when the goods enter the customs. Technical personnel from the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization will inspect the certificate; if the SASO certificate cannot be issued, the product will be refused entry or sampled to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Saudi Arabia or The laboratory of the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization conducts testing. If the test fails, the product will be refused entry, and all costs will be borne by the export company.

Certification type
1. Pre-shipment Compliance Verification
This method is best suited for exporters or manufacturers who ship very small quantities. Before each shipment, you need to apply for pre-shipment inspection (PSI) and pre-shipment testing (PST). If both are qualified, you can obtain the CoC certificate.

2. Product Registration (Registration)
This method is suitable for the vast majority of customers. Its advantage is that although each shipment inspection (PSI) is required, each batch of goods does not need to undergo a pre-shipment test (PST). Customers can obtain the Statement for Registration (SfR) by submitting a declaration of compliance, providing a test report that complies with the importing country and relevant international or domestic standards, and stating that the product has met the basic requirements and national differences of the importing country.

3. Type Approval Licensing
This method can not only save the inspection fee or testing fee before each shipment, simplify repeated application procedures, but also ensure the delivery time. Therefore, it is suitable for some large companies with frequent shipments or large scales that pay attention to quality and reputation. favored by the company. Exporters or manufacturers can obtain Statement for License (SfL) certificates only if their products fully comply with the mandatory standards of the importing and exporting countries. The certificate is valid for one year. Before expiration, an updated factory inspection report and annual fee must be submitted and reviewed by RLC before it can be renewed. Products that have obtained the SfL certificate no longer require pre-shipment inspection (PSI) for each batch of goods, but are reduced to a very few random inspections per year (generally 2-3 times per year, depending on the condition of the product).

The test is conducted according to SASO/PAI standards or IEC standards + national differences. SASO/PAI standard requirements need to be considered separately. Some terms are quite different. The rated voltage in Saudi Arabia is 220V, 50/60Hz (with BS plug) or 127V, 60Hz ( Equipped with UL plug) (An additional prototype is required for testing); Kuwait voltage is 240V, 50Hz (with BS plug).

Type certification requires factory inspection;

For electrical products exported to Saudi Arabia, the rated frequency marked on the product must include 60Hz;
The user manuals for air conditioners exported to Saudi Arabia must be in Arabic and English; for audio and video products, the user manuals must be in Arabic;

The original safety and EMC reports must be reports issued by an accredited laboratory within 2-3 years.
Applicable product range
As the regulations of the Bureau of Standards become more and more perfect, more and more products are classified into the SASO certification list. The following parts are for reference only;
Group 1: toys
Toys and playground equipment

Group 2: Electronic and electrical products
Air conditioning systems, up to 60,000 BTU (5 tons)
Combination audio or video equipment (non-professional)
Non-professional audio equipment
Video playback and recording system (non-professional)
Large motor (<12 KW)
Electric motor (<12 KW)
Fax and telex equipment
household electric cooker
Washing machine (< 10 KG)
Clothes dryer (< 10 KG)
Electric iron, ironing machine, steam iron and handheld hair dryer
Food processor (non-professional)
Meat slicer, meat grinder (non-professional)
Elevators, escalators
Household microwave oven
Electric stove (<10 KW)
copier
Desktop and portable computers, monitors
Power transformers, distribution transformers (< 1,000 KVA)
Household refrigerators and freezers (< 40 cubic feet)
Telephone, modem
Wires, cables (< 1,000V)
Non-industrial vacuum cleaners, water pumps, water sprayers,
Electric stove, electric heater
water dispenser
Evaporative cooler (< 1.5 KW)
electric fan
Refrigeration compressors (< 60,000 BTU)
Tea, coffee machine, hot drink machine
Incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, discharge lamps and lampshades, lamp holders, etc.
Manual switch, circuit breaker (<30A)
Light bulbs, lamp tubes, discharge light sources
discharge tube
ballast
Plugs, sockets, adapters
road lighting
Battery
underwater lighting
Battery pack and grounding cable
Water pump (<12 KW)
Color, black and white TV
Universal transformer
independent radio
Water heater (< 200 litres)
electricity meter
cordless phone
pressure cooker

Group 3 – Automobiles
New passenger cars, trucks, buses and utility vehicles
Used passenger cars, trucks, buses and utility vehicles
car windscreen
car brake fluid
New tires for passenger cars, trucks, buses and utility vehicles

Group 4 – Chemical Products
Engine oil, transmission oil, hydraulic oil, turbine oil and transformer oil
paint
Perfumes and cosmetics
household insecticides

Group 5: Others
Aluminum and aluminum alloy structural products
Steel, iron and alloy pipes
Gold, silver, gemstones and other jewelry
Head dress for men -- cotton shimaghs
Fire extinguisher (<24 KG)
cement
safety matches
Low pressure household natural gas cylinder pressure regulating valve
facial tissue
cigarette
application process
Step one: review of information:
1.RFC application form;
2. Manufacturer/factory system certificate;
3. Valid product test report;
4. Final invoice or proforma invoice;
5. Packing list;
6. Authorization letter (if necessary);

Step 2: On-site inspection. The main approval items are as follows:
1. Visually inspect the surface quality of the goods;
2. Quantity (number of products, number of outsourcing boxes);
3. Packaging (product packaging itself, product outsourcing);
4. Logo (the product’s own brand logo);
5.Mark (marking information of outsourcing box);
6. Voltage (Saudi voltage 220V or 380V);
7. Frequency (Saudi frequency 60Hz);
8.Power
9. Origin (manufacturer or importer, MadeInChina);