SASO / SABER Certification

What is the SASO Certificate of Conformity?

The Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) launched the Saudi Product Safety Program, SALEEM, in 2019. Saleem derived from the Arabic word for “safety” to ensure products meet strict national quality and safety standards.

As part of this initiative, SABER was introduced as a supervised digital platform that enables businesses, government entities, and individuals to register both imported and locally manufactured products and obtain the necessary conformity certificates with efficiency and transparency.

To facilitate smooth customs clearance into Saudi Arabia, exporters are required to present a Product & Shipment Certificate of Conformity, serving as technical proof that both the product and shipment comply with SASO’s regulatory requirements.

SASO Certificate Saudi Arabia — Requirements

SASO certification is indispensable for any product allowed in Saudi Arabia. There are some points to remember when planning to apply for and obtain SABER certificates.

• Importers are required to register on the SABER platform.
• Factory audits of SASO-regulated products can be done only by a notified SASO certification body.
• Products under the SASO technical regulations need both Product and Shipment Certificates of Conformity.
• Importers are required to produce self-declaration and shipment SASO certificates for non-regulated products.
• Make sure to have all the necessary documents in place when applying for a SABER Certificate KSA (product and shipment).
• Failure to deliver the shipment certificate upon arrival of the consignment in Saudi Arabia would result in the cancellation of the import, and the consignment will have to be re-exported.

SALEEM and SABER Saudi Arabia

“SALEEM” is the name of the Saudi Arabian Product Safety Program, administered by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO). The SALEEM Saudi Arabia program focuses on ensuring the quality of products sold in Saudi Arabia, hence the name. The Arabic word SALEEM means “without risk” or “without danger” to the user, the community, or the environment. SABER Saudi Arabia is an online system used by SALEEM to ensure that all products and shipments comply with the program’s standards.

As a platform, SABER facilitates the electronic acquisition of the Certificate of Conformity and Certificate of Shipment Conformity necessary for the entry of imported and domestically manufactured consumer goods into the Saudi market, called the Saber Certification Saudi Arabia. The hub’s purpose is to safeguard businesses against fraudulent activity and guarantee that consumers can buy products without worrying about their well-being.

Since January 1, 2019, importers have been required to enter SABER, register the regulated items, and select one of the certifying organizations allowed by SASO to submit a certification request before importing products into the nation. Therefore, SABER offers two distinct certificates to certify products and shipments.

SASO Shipment Certificate of Conformity

Every Saudi Arabia consignment is required to produce a Shipment Certificate of Conformity. The SASO shipment certificate is valid per consignment.

The SASO Shipment Certificate is issued through the SABER platform by an authorized SASO body for regulated products.

On July 1, 2020, the SABER platform and FASAH system were linked together for a smoother and faster movement of imports in Saudi Arabia. The integration helps in the automatic verification of shipment certificates. A printed copy of the SASO SABER certificate is not necessary upon arrival.

• Product Certificate of Conformity or self-declaration (in case of non-regulated products)
• Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, or airway bill

SASO Product Certificate of Conformity

SASO has set specific quality checks and standards for products imported to Saudi Arabia. Every product falling under the SASO regulation must pass quality checks to be eligible for a SASO Certificate for the product.

The Product certificate is issued through the SABER platform after certification documents are satisfactory and comply with the SASO technical regulations. The generation of the SABER certificate is testimony to the product’s compliance with the SASO guidelines.

• The Product Certificate is applicable for one year.
• Safety Test report from ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
• Actual product photos with clear markings, labeling, and packaging
• Factory Business License

SABER Platform and SABER Certification Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) developed an online conformity assessment system, SABER, in January 2019. This platform helps importers get their products regulated by SASO tested and factory audited by certification bodies authorized by SASO and receive their SABER certification for products and shipments online. Importers can also request a SABER shipment certificate and a self-declaration for non-regulated products.

The SABER platform integrated with the FASAH system on July 1, 2020. That led to automatic shipment certificate verification, and the importer does not need to produce a printed copy of the certificate for customs clearance.