Manufacturers and exporters wishing to export products to Saudi Arabia may need to document their products' conformity with Saudi Arabia's technical regulations and the relevant standards.
In Saudi Arabia, product conformity processes are carried out within the framework of the system and regulations run by SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization).
In this process, SABER is one of the main platforms on which product conformity and shipment procedures are carried out electronically.
Therefore, the term “SASO Certificate” widely used on the market today refers, for most export transactions, not directly to a single document but to the conformity assessment and shipment processes carried out through the SABER system.
What Is SASO?
SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) is Saudi Arabia's competent organisation in the field of standards, metrology and quality.
SASO's duties include areas such as:
- Developing technical regulations and standards,
- Setting product safety and conformity requirements,
- Regulating conformity assessment processes,
- Developing metrology and measurement systems,
- Supporting the conformity of products with the Saudi Arabian market
The SABER electronic platform is used under the conformity assessment system created by SASO.
What Is the SABER System?
SABER is a platform that enables the conformity assessment and shipment processes of products imported into Saudi Arabia to be managed electronically.
The exporter, manufacturer, importer and the relevant conformity assessment bodies can carry out the required procedures through the SABER system according to the technical regulation the product is subject to.
The process to be applied may vary depending on whether the product is subject to a technical regulation.
For products covered by a technical regulation, a process in the following form may generally apply:
Product Registration → Conformity Assessment → Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) → Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
What Is the PCoC?
The PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity) is the Product Certificate of Conformity showing the product's conformity with the relevant technical regulation and requirements applicable in Saudi Arabia.
In the PCoC process, depending on the nature of the product and the relevant technical regulation, elements such as the following may be examined:
- Technical documents,
- Product test reports,
- Product photographs and technical information,
- Labelling information,
- Manufacturer's details,
- Conformity with the relevant standards
For some product groups, a test report or additional technical assessment may be required.
Whether a PCoC is required and its validity conditions are determined by the technical regulation the product is subject to.
What Is the SCoC?
The SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) is the Shipment Certificate of Conformity showing that a specific shipment meets the conformity requirements for import into Saudi Arabia.
While the PCoC relates more to the conformity of the product, the SCoC is issued for a specific shipment.
For this reason, the existence of a valid PCoC for a product does not mean that the SCoC procedure required for the relevant shipment will not be carried out separately.
Depending on the nature of the export transaction, the shipment details, invoice and other required commercial documents are assessed through the SABER system.
The Difference Between SASO, SABER, PCoC and SCoC
These four concepts are often confused with one another.
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| SASO | Saudi Arabia's standards, metrology and quality organisation |
| SABER | Electronic platform on which product conformity and shipment procedures are carried out |
| PCoC | Product Certificate of Conformity showing the conformity of the product |
| SCoC | Shipment Certificate of Conformity issued for a specific shipment |
For this reason, the procedure referred to in everyday commercial use as the “SASO Certificate” may, depending on the status of the product, include the PCoC and/or SCoC processes on SABER.
Why Is SABER Important for Exports to Saudi Arabia?
It is important for companies exporting products to Saudi Arabia to assess the conformity of their products with the relevant technical regulations before exporting.
Failure to complete the required conformity procedures according to the technical regulation the product is subject to may lead to:
- Prolonged procedures at customs,
- Requests for additional documents or tests,
- Delay of the shipment,
- Additional costs in the import process
For this reason, when planning an export, it is recommended to check the conformity process before shipment.
Is a Test Report Required for the SABER Certificate?
There is no single test or document requirement for every product.
The required documents are determined by examining the product's:
- Technical characteristics,
- Product category,
- Intended use,
- Relevant technical regulation in Saudi Arabia,
- Applicable standards
For some products, existing and acceptable test reports can be used, while for others additional testing or technical assessment may be required.
For this reason, there is no general rule that “every product must be sent for laboratory testing again for the SASO certificate”.
How Does the SABER Process Work?
The Saudi Arabian export conformity process may generally consist of the following stages:
1. Product Analysis
The product's technical characteristics, intended use and product category are determined.
2. Technical Regulation Check
It is determined which technical regulation and standards the product is subject to in Saudi Arabia.
3. Preparation of Documents
The product technical file, test reports, manufacturer's details and other required documents are prepared.
4. SABER Product Registration
The product is registered through the SABER system with the required information.
5. PCoC Process
If the product is subject to a technical regulation, the required conformity assessment is carried out and, if it conforms, the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) process is completed.
6. Shipment Procedure
When the export is to take place, the shipment details are processed through the SABER system.
7. Issue of the SCoC
If the required conditions are met, the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is issued for the relevant shipment.
8. Import Procedure
The import process in Saudi Arabia is carried out for the shipment whose required conformity procedures have been completed.
For Which Products May the SABER Process Be Required?
Many different product groups may fall under SABER.
For example, the relevant technical regulation and conformity requirements should be checked for many product groups such as:
- Machinery and industrial equipment,
- Electrical and electronic products,
- Construction and building products,
- Automotive products,
- Textile products,
- Plastic products,
- Household and kitchen products,
- Children's and consumer products,
- Chemical products,
- Packaging and various consumer products
However, the mere fact that a product falls into one of these categories does not automatically mean that the same documents and tests are required.
The required process must be determined according to the specific characteristics of the product.
Exports from Türkiye to Saudi Arabia
It is important for manufacturers and exporters shipping from Türkiye to Saudi Arabia to check their products against Saudi Arabia's relevant technical regulations before shipment.
Especially for companies exporting regularly, planning the conformity process in advance on a product basis ensures that the flow:
Product → Technical Regulation → Testing / Documentation → PCoC → Shipment → SCoC
is carried out in a more controlled way.
SASO / SABER Consultancy with Istanbul Certificate Office
Istanbul Certificate Office provides consultancy and certification support on SASO / SABER conformity processes to manufacturers and exporters shipping from Türkiye to Saudi Arabia.
For your product, we provide support on:
- Determining the relevant technical regulations,
- Assessing the product conformity process,
- Checking tests and technical documents,
- Coordinating the SABER product registration process,
- Carrying out the PCoC process,
- Coordinating shipment conformity procedures,
- Following up the SCoC process
Check your product's conformity status before exporting to Saudi Arabia.
By sharing your product's HS code, technical characteristics and, if possible, existing test reports, you can request a preliminary assessment of which conformity processes need to be applied to your product under SABER.
Istanbul Certificate Office
International Certification and Conformity Assessment Services
