SASO Certification Process Simplified: A Complete Overview

Ensuring the quality and safety of goods coming onto the Saudi Arabian market is mostly dependent on the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO). Getting SASO certification is absolutely crucial for companies wishing to import products into Saudi Arabia. This certification guarantees that goods satisfy technical criteria and standards set by SASO, so safeguarding consumers, guaranteeing safety, and so advancing fair trade.

This paper offers a thorough analysis of the SASO certification process to assist businesses in better appreciating its relevance, the associated phases, and how to effectively negotiate the certification process. This guide can help you avoid expensive delays and get SASO certification regardless of your role—manufacturer, exporter, or importer.

SASO Certification: what is it?

Applied to a broad spectrum of imported goods into Saudi Arabia, SASO certification is a quality assurance criteria. The certification attests to the technical compliance of these goods with Saudi Arabian government standards and specifications. SASO aims to guarantee that every good available on the market is dependable, safe, and ecologically friendly.

Products governed by SASO guidelines comprise, but are not limited to:

appliances, both electrical and electronic
Vehicles and related parts for automobiles
building components
Toys and personal hygiene items
Drugs
Companies without SASO certification could suffer customs clearance delays, fines, or perhaps a rejection to let their goods into Saudi Arabia.

Why is SASO certification significant?

For the following purposes SASO certification is indispensable:

SASO certifies that goods satisfy particular safety criteria, therefore safeguarding Saudi Arabian consumers against dangerous or defective goods.
Every good coming into Saudi Arabia has to follow local laws and rules. Products certified by SASO guarantees they satisfy these criteria.
Products could be denied access to the Saudi Arabian market without SASO certification, therefore causing financial losses and disturbance of company.
Many SASO criteria center on environmental protection, including restrictions on dangerous chemicals and support of energy efficiency.

Methodical Guide for SASO Certification Obtaining

First: List relevant SASO Standards
Finding the pertinent criteria that relate to your product comes first in getting SASO certification. Technical rules and standards defined by SASO differ based on the product category.

You will either need to go to the SASO database or engage with a certifying authority conversant with Saudi Arabian laws to ascertain the particular criteria your good must satisfy.

Second step: choose an approved certification body.
Authorized certification agencies certified by the Saudi Arabian government issue SASO certifications. Products are evaluated by these certifying agencies to guarantee they satisfy SASO criteria.

Among internationally known certifying bodies providing SASO services are:

Markek:
Choose a certification body authorized by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and with experience with the SASO certification process.

Third step: turn in the needed paperwork.
Gathering and submitting the necessary documents for your product comes next once you have chosen a certification authority. This can include:

Technical designs and product specs
Reports on tests from approved labs
Declaration of conformity by the manufacturer
Product labels and bill of materials
Working closely with your certification authority will help you to guarantee that all relevant information is entered since the documents needed may vary depending on the product category.

Step 4: Product Evaluation
Generally speaking, the certification organization will demand that your product be tested in laboratories to confirm adherence to SASO criteria. The testing procedure could call for several tests, among which:

Safety checks in electricity
Mechanical safety exams
Analyze chemical compositions.
Performance audits
Either SASO-approved testing facilities or the internal laboratories of the certifying body can handle testing. The results will be presented to the certification organization for evaluation once the product has satisfactorially passed all necessary testing.

Step 5: Factory Inspection—if relevant
SASO mandates a visit of the manufacturing plant for some product categories to guarantee that the production techniques follow quality criteria. Auditors on a manufacturing inspection will evaluate:

systems of production control
Methods of quality control
Safety guidelines for the workplace
systems of product traceability
Should the inspection prove successful, the certification authority will authorize the facility for ongoing SASO-compliant product manufacture.

Step 6: SASO Certificate Issuance
The certifying organization will provide the SASO Certificate of Conformism (CoC) whenever all testing and inspection criteria are satisfied. Customs clearance requires this certificate, which also lets the commodity be imported into Saudi Arabia.

The SASO CoC will feature specifics including:

Product explanation
Manufacturer name
The information of the certification body
Period of validity for the certification
Phase 7: SABER Platform Registration
Nowadays, SASO mandates that all products be registered on the SABER platform, an online portal for getting product certifications and exporting customs documentation. Businesses have to upload their CoC to SABER and guarantee accurate record of all product information to finish the SASO certification process.

Every consignment of goods arriving Saudi Arabia requires Shipment Certificates of Conformity (SCoC), which SABER also enables to be issued. Products cannot clear Customs without this paperwork.

Step 8: Continual Compliance and Renewal
Usually valid for one year, SASO certification must be renewed following which Businesses have to make sure their goods keep satisfying all relevant SASO criteria and technical specifications. Maintaining certification can call for constant testing and inspections.

Regular modifications to SASO criteria force companies to remain aware of any developments that can affect their product range. Dealing with an experienced certification authority will help to guarantee continuous compliance and prevent interference with your company’s activities.

Typical SASO Certification Process Challenges

Problems with Product Testing
Sometimes, especially in cases of overflowing facilities or additional testing needed, product testing takes more time than anticipated. Working with an accredited testing facility and making sure all product documentation is in order before applying will help you to prevent delays.

Inaccurate Notes
Often the cause of certification delays is missing or inadequate documentation. Companies have to closely cooperate with their certification authority and thoroughly go over all submission criteria to guarantee that every detail is accurate.

SASO Standards: Changes
Regular modifications of SASO’s standards mean that compliance criteria may change unexpectedly. Businesses should be ready to modify their products based on any legislative changes and keep informed about them.

At last

Companies trying to access the Saudi Arabian market must first acquire SASO accreditation if they are to proceed. Businesses may guarantee their goods satisfy the necessary criteria and are cleared for import by following the advised procedures and collaborating with an accredited certification authority. From determining relevant criteria to finishing product testing and registering with SABER, every phase of the SASO certification procedure is absolutely vital in guaranteeing compliance and market success.