SASO COC certification

Certification Introduction

In order to ensure public health, consumer safety and national security, the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has been implementing the ICCP program since 1995, and on September 30, 2003, MOCI issued a new Product Conformity Certification Program (PCP) to replace the ICCP program, breaking the monopoly mechanism of the ICCP program and introducing third-party assessment bodies and third-party laboratories.

On August 8, 2004, the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Trade issued Decree No. 6386, amending the PCP program, stipulating that all goods under control must provide a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) before being allowed to enter the Saudi market,  Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) control, SASO authorized the designated issuing agency to issue CoC certificate.

All Saudi imports must be accompanied by a CoC Certificate of Conformity, except for products that are prohibited or exempt as specified. the PCP program covers the three requirements of conformity assessment, inspection and certification. The program consists of three types of certification, including: batch-by-batch inspection, registration and type certification. Manufacturers can choose their own according to the actual frequency of shipments.

Saudi Arabia's latest request.

1. the certificate of conformity issued for goods exported to Saudi Arabia should be based on the test report issued by an accredited laboratory.

2. CoC can only be issued to products produced by factories licensed or registered by the government of the exporting country.

3. Each batch of high-risk goods/products to be exported to Saudi Arabia should be inspected prior to shipment, sealed, wax sealed and marked on the seal with the serial number associated with the certificate of conformity of the product.

4. All marks on the product must be verified.

Product Range

All consumer products exported to Saudi Arabian countries are classified as regulated products, covering five major categories: toys, electrical and electronic products, automotive products, chemical products and other products.

Products not under PCP control: food and agricultural products, medicines and cosmetics, medical devices and equipment, crude oil. Products prohibited for export: weapons, alcohol, sedatives, pork, pornographic materials, brewing equipment, fireworks, Christmas trees, nutmeg, masks, videophones, toys or statues showing animals and people, and more than 40 other varieties.

Application Process

1. Batch by batch inspection:

For exporters or suppliers who ship infrequently (e.g., less than three times per year). Pre-shipment inspection PSI and pre-shipment test PST must be conducted, and CoC certificate can be obtained after both are passed.

2. Registration.

Suitable for exporters who ship frequently (homogeneous products), must conduct pre-shipment inspection PSI, and apply for the Statement for Registration (SfR). This method is suitable for the majority of customers, its advantage is that each pre-shipment inspection (PSI: Pre-shipment Inspection), although necessary, but each batch of goods do not need to be pre-shipment testing (PST: Pre-shipment Testing).

3. Type approval:

Suitable for exporters with frequent shipments and high volumes. Requires that the product must fully comply with the relevant provisions, and the manufacturer's quality control system to assess the requirements before the issuance of the type approval certificate Statement for Licence (SfL). This way can save each shipment before the inspection fee or testing fees, simplify the application process to repeat, but also to ensure delivery time, so a part of the more frequent shipments or larger scale, focusing on quality and reputation of large companies favored.

Certification Mark

None, but the following matters need to be noted.

1. Label language: English or Arabic.

2. Instructions, warning language: Arabic or Arabic + English;

3. Products and packaging or labels should be printed with the words MADE IN CHINA; (MADE IN CHINA must be non-removable way reflected in the products and packaging, can not use ordinary stickers stickers).

4. Do not allow any SASO LOGO to be displayed on the product or package without the authorization of SASO registration, so as to avoid the goods being rejected by Saudi customs in the port of destination.

Other Information

Technical information: voltage frequency AC220V 60Hz, plug BS 1363
Whether mandatory: mandatory
Certificate validity: COC batch valid, registration certificate valid for one year
Factory inspection requirements: None

Requirements of the licensee: None