What is the SASO Certificate?
The SASO Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is an official document issued to verify that products exported to Saudi Arabia, meets the technical regulations and safety requirements outlined by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This regulated certification, which is compulsory under the SALEEM program through the SABER platform, is managed by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) SASO certification is required to be completed online through the SABER platform.
The SABER platform is a single online system where importers and exporters must register products and undertake assessments for conformity. Without a certificate of conformity, products cannot legally enter the Saudi market. The regulation applies across many product classifications including electronics, cosmetics, building materials, automotive parts, etc. The regulatory environment protects consumers, promotes fair competition, and helps achieve the goal of the Saudi to emphasize quality and safety of products.
Why You Need a SASO Certificate?
Saudi customs is integrated with SABER and FASAH systems. Any regulated product arriving without a valid SASO Certificate will be rejected, fined, or returned.
Benefits Beyond Compliance- Faster customs clearance
- Higher trust with importers
- Protection against counterfeit or low-quality products
- Access to government tenders and e-commerce markets in KSA
Types of SABER Certificates
1. Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)
This certificate validates that a specific product complies with the applicable technical regulations. It is product-specific and remains valid for one year. The certification process includes:- The importer registers the product on SABER, including its technical specifications and HS code.
- A SASO-authorised Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) is chosen to conduct the evaluation.
- After payment of the required fees, the CAB reviews the importer’s submission within the SABER system.
- The CAB guides the exporter to submit supporting documentation, such as lab test results and product drawings.
- Once verified and compliant, the CAB uploads the approved documents and issues the PCoC electronically on SABER.
2. Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
This is issued for every consignment and is directly linked to a valid PCoC. Without this, the shipment cannot pass through Saudi customs. Steps include:- The importer initiates an SCoC request in SABER for each regulated product being shipped.
- The CAB checks the validity of the associated Product Certificate.
- After verifying the documentation and product consistency, the CAB confirms the application within SABER.
- Upon fee payment by the importer, the SCoC is electronically generated and is valid only for that particular shipment.
| Particulars | Type of Certificates | ||
| PCoC | SCoC | Quality Mark/License | |
| Fees |
|
|
|
| Validity | 1year | For one shipment only | 3years |
| Renew | Annually | NA | Yes, with annual Surveillances/audits |
| Cost | Contact at certifications@bharattesthouse.com | ||
General Timeline for Certification
| Process | Estimate Time (in working days) |
| Document submission | 2–3 |
| Technical review & product evaluation | 5–10 |
| Factory audit (if required) | 2-3 week |
| Issuance of Product Certificate (PCoC) | 7-10 |
| Issuance of Shipment Certificate (SCoC) | 2-3 |
Role of SASO, SALEEM, and SABER
SASO, SALEEM, and SABER SASO defines the technical regulations; SALEEM is the conformity assessment program enforcing these regulations; SABER is the digital interface where applications are managed.