Discover the SASO Technical Regulation For Building

Safety, fire resistance, and earthquake resilience all rely heavily on the quality of the materials you manufacture, export, or use.
That’s why, in Saudi Arabia, the SASO Technical Regulations for Building Materials serve as a critical framework to ensure that every construction product meets the highest standards of safety, health, and environmental performance.

If you’re a manufacturer, exporter, importer, or part of a construction company, you already know the risks of using inferior or non-compliant materials. Poor-quality products don’t just lead to frequent repairs and higher maintenance costs, they can also compromise structural integrity, delay projects, cause regulatory penalties, or even lead to catastrophic failures.

Let’s explore what you need to know to confidently comply with the SASO Technical Regulations for Building Materials.

What Are SASO Technical Regulations?

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) stands as a dedicated protector that works tirelessly to protect consumers and preserve the environment. As a trusted authority, SASO has developed essential standards and regulations for products used in everyday life, aiming to enhance trust in the quality and safety of goods available in the Saudi market.

These Technical regulations, especially the SASO Technical Regulations for Building Materials, are one of the core pillars established by SASO to maintain the highest levels of safety and quality in products traded within the Saudi market. They often include conformity assessment procedures carried out by a third-party assessment body in Saudi Arabia, like Tabseer, to ensure product compliance with these requirements. Significantly, they aim to protect consumers’ safety, safeguard the environment, and reinforce trust in products introduced to the market.

Scope and Key Products Covered by the SASO technical regulations for Building Materials

SASO has defined five specific technical regulations for different categories of construction materials:

1- Technical Regulation for Building Materials – Part 1: Sectors of Metals and their Alloys for Buildings and Constructions

This regulation specifically applies to metal and metal alloys designed for various construction works. Its scope is broad, which covers a diverse range of metallic products essential for building and infrastructure development. It covers different metals and alloys like steel, aluminium, and others, and it might cover things like mechanical characteristics, corrosion resistance, and material composition.

2- Technical Regulation for Building Materials – Part 2: Insulation and Building Cladding Materials

Insulation and building cladding materials are crucial for enhancing a building’s performance, energy efficiency, and longevity. Cladding provides a protective layer against the elements, while insulation reduces heat transfer, leading to lower energy costs and a more comfortable interior. Moreover, it might cover specifications for things like acoustic performance, fire resistance, and other essential qualities.

3- Technical Regulation for Building Materials – Part 3: Hydraulic Links and Related Products

Hydraulic links are crucial for the proper functioning of hydraulic systems because they enable the transmission of hydraulic fluid and power. These components are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of construction sites, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs. This one may outline requirements for these materials’ strength, resistance to severe conditions, workability, durability, and other characteristics

4- Technical Regulation for Building Materials – Part 4: Bricks, Tiles, Ceramics, Sanitary Ware, and Related Products

Bricks, tiles, ceramics, and sanitary ware are essential building materials due to their durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility. They contribute to structural integrity, fire resistance, and hygiene in buildings, while also offering design flexibility and thermal insulation. This part could specify requirements for sanitaryware’s strength, water absorption, surface finish, and hygienic qualities.

5- Technical Regulation for Building Materials Part 5: Pipes Used in Water, Electricity, and Gas Networks

Pipes form the backbone of modern infrastructure, enabling the safe and efficient transport of water, electricity, and gas. These essential systems ensure the continuous and reliable delivery of critical resources to homes, businesses, and industries, while also supporting energy production and distribution on a national scale. In Saudi Arabia, the manufacture and installation of high-quality pipe materials is vital to maintaining system integrity, preventing leaks and operational failures, and minimizing environmental impact. To support this, the SASO Technical Regulation for Building Materials – Part 5 outlines detailed specifications for pipes used in utility networks.

This regulation may cover essential parameters such as material type, dimensional tolerances, pressure ratings, and other technical details, ensuring that every pipe is fit for safe, efficient, and sustainable use within the Kingdom’s infrastructure.

Key Requirements for SASO technical regulations for Building Materials

The SASO Technical Regulations for Building Materials in Saudi Arabia focus on three core elements: safety, health, and environmental practices. These pillars form the foundation of regulatory compliance and are essential for protecting end-users, supporting sustainable development, and ensuring product reliability.

To meet these objectives, manufacturers, importers, and suppliers shall align with a set of key requirements designed to ensure ongoing compliance with SASO standards. These requirements include:

1- Understanding SASO Technical Regulations

First things first, it is important to understand SASO technical regulations for building materials to ensure products meet specific safety, quality, and performance standards, protecting consumers and facilitating smooth market entry.

2- Ensuring Product Compliance.

Once you know which regulations apply, your next step is to make sure your products meet the necessary standards. In Saudi Arabia, product compliance helps you avoid legal penalties, reduces the risk of product recalls, and maintains a positive brand reputation. Not to mention, compliance also opens up new markets and opportunities for your business across the globe.

3- Meeting Safety & Health Requirements

SASO regulations emphasize health and safety, which means your products shall be safe to use in residential or commercial buildings, resistant to fire, moisture, corrosion, or natural disasters (like earthquakes), and free from hazardous materials that could harm users or the environment. In other words, compliance is about protecting lives and your brand’s reputation.

4- Conducting Testing & Auditing

Your product will need to go through testing and Auditing procedures with the help of a trusted conformity assessment body in Saudi Arabia, like Tabseer. This process may involve lab testing to confirm performance and material quality, reviewing technical documents and labels, and conducting factory audits.

Tabseer can guide you step by step to make sure your product meets all regulatory expectations.

Obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark

To bring your construction and building products into Saudi Arabia, obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark is essential for certain products. It ensures that they comply with Saudi Arabia’s strict safety and quality standards.