As a part of our keenness on playing a vital role in helping suppliers targeting Saudi Arabia to know more about the market and its requirement, we had an interview with Dr. Mostafa Afifi, a Certified technical expert, and auditor in construction and building materials for the Saudi Quality Mark System from SASO in order to answer the most frequent questions about obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark for building material.

If you are an importer or manufacturer of Building Materials in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and wish to obtain the Saudi Quality Mark, you should enhance your technical knowledge, and this is what you will find in the following questions and answers.

What are the building material products obligated to obtain the Quality Mark?

The quality mark is mandatory for a specific scope of building material defined by SASO including:

• Steel
• Cement
• Ready-mixed Concrete
• Ceramic Tiles/ Porcelain Tiles
• Iron plate​
• Aluminum composite panels for claddings​

What is the regulatory framework that defines the procedures for obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark for Ready mixed concrete?

As aforementioned, the ready mixed concrete is obligated to obtain the SQM. It is worthy to mention that the ready mixed concrete is divided into three categories including

• Performance Concrete
• Description Concrete
• both Mix Concrete

The procedures for obtaining the SQM for the three categories are defined by the Technical Regulation for Building Material: Part 3: Hydraulic Connections and Related Products and the standard specification for ready mixed concrete “SASO-GSO-ASTM-C94”.

The Procedure “technical requirements for granting the Saudi Quality Mark for Ready mixed concrete Is “QMS-CR-10-08”

What are the HS codes needed for obtaining the SQM for the steel bars?

As a product obligated to obtain the SQM, defining the HS Codes of the steel bars used in concrete reinforcement is an important part of the process of obtaining the SQM. The steel bars HS codes as per Saudi customs & Saber platform are under the main category of ” 7214 & 7215″ with subcategories according to the manufacturing method and diameter.

What is the regulatory framework that defines the procedures for obtaining the SQM for steel bars?

The requirements and procedures of issuing the Quality Mark for steel bars are defined by the Technical Regulation for Building Materials: Part 1: Sectors of Metals and their Alloys for Buildings and Constructions as well as the standard specifications “Low Alloy Steel Bars SASO ASTM A706/A706M” and “Carbon Steel Bars SASO ASTM A615/A615M”.

The Procedure “technical requirements for granting the Saudi Quality Mark for Steel is “QMS-CR-10-06”

What is the regulatory framework that defines the procedures for obtaining the SQM for the Aluminum composite panels for claddings?

The Aluminum composite panels for claddings ACP are subject to the Technical Regulation for Building Materials: Part 2: Insulation and Building Cladding Materials and the standard “SASO 2752”.

The ACP HS code is 761090900004 (Panels for facilities usage).

What are the regulatory framework and the HS codes needed for ceramic & porcelain tiles to obtain the SQM?

Ceramic & Porcelain tiles are subject to the Technical Regulation for Building Materials: Part 4: Bricks, Tiles, Ceramics, Sanitary Ware, and Related Products with HS codes: 690721000000 – 690722000000 – 690723000000 – 690730000000 – 690740000000 according to the manufacturing method and water absorption percent.

The Procedure “technical requirements for granting the Saudi Quality Mark for Ceramic tiles” is “QMS-CR-10-14”.

What are the standards related to testing methods for ceramic & porcelain tiles?

The product standard is “SASO ISO 13006 /2018”.

The testing method standard is “SASO ISO 10545” parts from 1 to 16.

What is the entity authorized to register a trademark certification as a requirement for the SQM?

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property which is the official government body in Saudi Arabia responsible for the protection and supporting intellectual property in the Kingdom. 

How to get the barcode number as a requirement for the SQM?

GS1 Saudi Arabia (GS1 KSA) is the unrivaled authority for providing GS1 International barcodes for the local market, a foundation tool for automation for inventory, warehouse, Point-of-Sale, etc.

What are the required data and information needed to create an account on Jeem 1 platform to apply for the SQM?

Creating an account on Jeem 1 electronic platform requires providing some information about the Local factory/importer- External Factory / Exporter including

• Commercial License of the establishment / legal representative in Saudi Arabia
• Commercial License Place / End Date
• Arabic / English name.
• Address / phone / and some contact details.

How to find laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 for external testing for products?

SASO has laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 such as :

• Construction Materials lab.
• Chemical Testing lab.
• Mechanical Testing lab.

You can also test your products in any laboratory accredited by an accreditation body that has full membership in the international organization (ILAC).

How to find an accredited Calibration laboratory to calibrate instruments according to SQM requirements?

The National Center for Measurement and Calibration NMCC at SASO allows calibration services including:

• Providing calibration services for reference standards maintained by the national calibration laboratories and metrological verification laboratories.
• Providing calibration services for industry in different industrial and monitoring scopes.
• Providing calibration services of measurement standards maintained by private calibration laboratories.

You can also test your instruments in any Calibration laboratory accredited by an accreditation body that has full membership in the international organization (ILAC). 

How long does it take from applying to issue the Mark for building material?

It takes approximately 70 -Business days from the date of submitting an application.

Are the procedures for renewing including the same as applying for the first time?

The license of the Saudi Quality Mark is automatically renewed for a period of three years unless a request for suspension is received from the enterprise 60 days before the license expires.

The visit of the license renewal is carried out before the license expires, and all steps of the granting process are implemented then.

In the end, we extend our best thanks to Dr. Mostafa Afifi for sharing such valued and professional information and wish that we presented answers to all requests that might arise about obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark for Building Material.