Are you running a business in Saudi Arabia, especially in the automotive sector? If so, you must be definitely following the SASO standards. If not, you may have to rethink your decision.
Whether you’re already operating in the Kingdom or planning to start, it is important to know SASO regulations. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that the companies don’t suffer unnecessary delays, penalties or compliance issues.
This guide will give you complete information on what it means, what the steps are that you should follow to complete the overall process and how important this regulation is for the automotive industry.
What Does SASO Mean?
SASO (written as S.A.S.O) stands for Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization.
This is the government agency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that develops and enforces standards related to a product’s quality, safety, and accuracy of measurements.
This authority makes sure that the products sold in the kingdom meet approved technical and safety standards.
In summary, SASO decides:
- What standards products have to meet
- How products are tested
- Whether the product is safe to use in Saudi Arabia
SASO does not certify products directly; its role is only regulation and oversight.
Why SASO Compliance Is Mandatory in Saudi Arabia
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the authorities strictly enforce SASO compliance to protect consumers and ensure overall quality within the market. Failure to meet the necessary quality will face direct penalties.
These may include:
- Customs clearance delays
- Shipment rejections
- Financial losses
- Legal penalties
When it comes to automobile products, inspections are relatively tougher. Defective products can result in accidents, so that’s why the regulatory bodies check so carefully in this area.
Meeting SASO requirements early helps businesses avoid last-minute issues and operational difficulties.
Who Needs to Follow SASO Regulations?
The SASO regulations apply to nearly each and every business involved with the manufacturing, importation, or sale of regulated products in Saudi Arabia.
When a product enters the Saudi market, someone in the supply chain is legally responsible for ensuring it.
For the most part, this would fall under the responsibility of the importer; however, manufacturers and distributors also play a key role.
Companies That Must Follow SASO Regulations
- Companies that export to Saudi Arabia
This means that any factory located outside Saudi Arabia and producing goods for the Saudi market should manufacture the products according to applicable SASO standards and obtain the relevant certificate before shipment.
- Importers and trading companies
According to the regulation, local importers are also responsible for SASO compliance, including SABER registration, proper product classification, and issuance of all required certificates in front of customs clearance.
- Distributors & Resellers
The wholesalers and the retailers have the responsibility of ensuring that the merchandise they offer to the public is compliant and certified in case it’s required.
Automotive Sector Compliance:
Due to the level of safety risk, the automotive industry is one of the most strictly controlled sectors by SASO, and these are the firms that highly require SASO audits and SASO certification for automotive.
- Vehicle exporters and importers
All new or used vehicles exported to Saudi Arabia need to be within SASO technical regulations on safety, emissions, fuel economy labels, etc., in order to be registered. - Spare parts suppliers
Brakes, lights, tyres, and filters require SASO certificate for automotive imports and lab testing. - Tyre and battery traders
Tyres and batteries have to comply with the required SASO specifications regarding safety, performance, and labelling, failing which they may be prevented from passing customs as well as be withdrawn from the market.
If a product is sold, installed, or used in Saudi Arabia and falls under a SASO technical regulation, someone in the supply chain must handle SASO compliance.
That is why manufacturers, importers, and automotive dealers all need to understand these rules, not just customs brokers.
How SASO Certification Works in Saudi Arabia
SASO certification in Saudi Arabia uses a connected system. This system ensures that products entering the market meet safety and quality standards.
To begin with, SASO defines standards and issues technical regulations for product categories. These regulations specify the requirements that products must meet. Then, the SALEEM scheme determines the criteria to evaluate safety and conformity. SABER, the digital platform, allows importers to register products and complete certification. The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) verifies that products meet all the necessary criteria to be sold in the market of Saudi Arabia.
To understand this, we have to look at each part’s role in the overall process.
SASO, SALEEM, and SABER Explained
SASO stands for the government organisation responsible for product standards and technical regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It outlines the safety, quality, and performance of the product before it can be put on the market.
SALEEM is a product safety system created by SASO to make sure products are checked in a consistent and reliable way. SALEEM defines how each product should be evaluated and certified based on its risk level
SABER is the online system under which the entire SALEEM scheme is carried out. SABER is used by importers for registering products, for submitting compliance details, and finally for obtaining certification.
Through SABER, importers obtain:
- Product Certificate of Conformity
- Shipment Certificate of Conformity
A product will not be able to clear through the customs of Saudi Arabia if it does not have SABER registration.
What Is a SASO Technical Regulation?
The SASO technical regulation is a compulsory rule issued by SASO for specific product categories. It explains the exact requirements of a product so that it may be legally imported, sold, or distributed in Saudi Arabia.
These regulations usually outline:
- Safety and quality requirements
- Whether testing is necessary
- Certification and documentation requirements
- Rules of labelling and marking
Any product that comes under a SASO technical regulation must comply necessarily. Most automotive products are placed under technical regulations because of their direct interference in safety as well as in performance.
What Is a CoC Certificate?
The Certificate of Conformity is also referred to as the CoC and is the document that certifies a product to be in conformity with the relevant SASO technical regulations.
In short, the technical regulation specifies the standards that the product must meet, and the CoC is proof that the standards have been met.
The CoC is issued by a SASO-approved conformity assessment body upon reviewing test results, specifications, and other related documents. For most products that fall under the regulations, the CoC has to be secured prior to shipment.
What Does the SASO Quality Mark Mean?
SASO Quality Mark is a certification mark that is used on some products that require continuous compliance rather than one-time approval.
It means that:
- The final product complies with Saudi standards.
- The making processes are constantly evaluated.
- Compliance is maintained over time.
All products do not require the SASO Quality Mark. If so, it would normally apply to products that are produced locally or supplied on a long-term basis among the Saudi market consumers.
How to Get a SASO Certificate for Saudi Arabia
SASO certification seems simple, but most companies fail due to late SABER registration and missing CoC.
In most cases the procedure follows these steps.
Identify Applicable SASO Standards
Since there are different standards for different products, as the first step, exporters need to find out which SASO standard or technical regulation is applicable to their product.
For automotive, this is essential. SASO-4 and automotive regulations vary by part type.
Once the standards are clear, it’s easy to follow the other steps.
Product Testing
After identifying the relevant standards, the next step is testing the product to ensure it complies with those standards.
The testing is done by
- SASO-approved laboratories, or
- Internationally recognized accredited laboratories accepted under Saudi regulations
The results obtained from testing will verify whether a product complies with the necessary standards or not.
Without valid test reports, certification cannot move forward.
Documentation Submission
Once testing is completed, exporters must prepare and submit the required documentation to a SASO-approved conformity assessment body.
This typically includes:
- Product test reports
- Technical specifications
- Product details and classification
- Completed application forms
Accurate documentation plays a major role here. Even minor inconsistencies can slow down approval.
Inspection and Verification
Once the testing is completed, the following documents must be compiled and submitted to an authorized conformity assessment body by the exporter to SASO:
This includes:
- Product test reports
- Technical Specifications
- Product details and classification
- Filled Application Forms
This requires accurate documentation, and minor discrepancies may cause a delay in approval.
There may be instances where a physical check of the products will be required. The process aims to ensure that the products meet the requirements.
Inspection requirements depend on factors such as:
- Product type
- Risk category
- Regulatory scope
Automotive products often require strict checking due to the associated risks.
Issuance of SASO Certificate
After the verification of compliance, the Conformity Assessment Body issues the SASO Certificate along with the Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
Both of these certificates are necessary at the time of customs clearance in the Saudi Arabian territory, and if the product is not verified with the issued certificates, it might get held back at the port of entry at the time of import.
How SASO Impacts the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is one of the most tightly regulated sectors under SASO. Safety risks associated with vehicles and components mean stricter technical checks.
SASO requirements commonly apply to:
- Passenger and commercial vehicles
- Brake systems
- Tyres and wheels
- Batteries and electrical parts
- Lighting and signalling systems
(See complete SASO automotive standards list (Cluster Page) here)
Some automotive products require testing, while others require detailed documentation and labelling. In many cases, both are needed.
Because requirements can vary by product type, automotive businesses must assess compliance on a case by case basis.
Why Automotive Businesses Need SASO Compliance Now
When it comes to auto-related enterprises, SASO certification and CoC approval are much more than paperwork that needs to be navigated.
These also significantly influence your delivery pace, your customers’ level of confidence in your services, and your easy access to the Saudi market in the long haul.
In case of missing paperwork or incomplete certification of such paperwork, you should be prepared for possible shipment delays, additional costs, or even a refused shipment.
Taking care of your paperwork in compliance with regulations will minimize any risks associated with entering the country.
For car importers, being one step ahead is essential. Otherwise, waiting at customs border control may mean paying higher storage costs or even missing the merchandise altogether.
Key steps to follow:
- Start the certification procedure 8-12 weeks prior to shipping
- Focus on the parts that are marked as ‘critical’, such as brakes, tyres, or batteries.
- Ensure that CoC is released prior to shipment
